Coast Contra @ Songbyrd [DC] - 9/21/2022
Coast Contra at Songbyrd in DC (Photo ©2022 Mauricio Castro)
A good origin story can go a long way, so here’s one about a group of roommates-turned-rising rappers who believed in each other. Brothers Taj and Ras Austin, Colombian-born Rio Loz, and Philadelphia-born Eric Jamal all came from different backgrounds, but all had the same ambitions to break through in the hip-hop world. Together, they holed up in a 450-square-foot apartment in the mid-2010s while working at the same restaurant. They honed their craft by hosting Cypher Sundays at My 2 Cents (the aforementioned restaurant), building up their brand in the city, and releasing freestyle videos on YouTube, which quickly went viral and even helped land them a spot on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and an opening slot for Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl. It’s not hard to understand how they sold out Songbyrd: they’re clever lyricists that feed off of each other’s energy, channeling the best of A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan, wowing a new generation and the old heads in the room too.
Their chemistry is undeniable on their internet videos, and their stage presence? Even more so. It’s unfair to single one out over the others because they’re all exceptional rappers, but what’s notable about each of them is Rio Loz’s gruff delivery in both English and Spanish, the Austin brothers’ boundless, hyperactive energy, and Eric Jamal’s lightning-fast verses. But they’re all more than capable of switching roles with one another, showing off their technical prowess and versatility in the process. The group performed tracks from their debut album like “505” and “Get the Worm,” some of their viral freestyles, like their Never Freestyle, and some spoken word pieces about their struggles coming up in the music world. They retold their origin story, one that garnered a ton of applause, and for good reason. All four play an essential role in the show, whether they’re on the mic or hyping up the one who’s currently on it. They’re some of the most charismatic, grateful, and technically skilled rappers that are on the come-up today. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Coast Contra’s debut album Apartment 505 is out now on Area51 Music.
Opening for Coast Contra were the rap duos Girll Codee from NYC and Villain Park from Los Angeles.
