Mozzy

Blxst’s ‘No Love Lost’ Tour Sets The Example For Artists Hitting The Road Again

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Getty Image/Ralph Ordaz

I previously wrote about the return of touring for Uproxx’s fall preview of the most anticipated tours in hip-hop. But talking ain’t doing, and I had to get back out there myself after a year away. What I discovered in doing so? We are all a little rusty — artists and fans, both.

But, if you’re going to be a little rusty, Blxst has the blueprint for blowing past those first awkward speed bumps and putting on one hell of a show. Wednesday night at The Observatory in Santa Ana, the local rising star provided a pitch-perfect example for how to return from hiatus, even if you never really got a chance to tour in the first place.

That informed part of my reasoning for choosing Blxst as my own return show. Uproxx was high on the guy since even before the release of his fan-favorite EP, No Love Lost (which is also the title of his current tour — check out his UPROXX Sessions performance). Then, he was chosen as one of XXL‘s 2021 Freshman Class, causing his hype to skyrocket. Yet, even after all that, none of us has ever gotten to see him in tour context because his entire breakthrough happened during a global pandemic that basically shut down the industry.

So, of course, I had to make sure he’s the real deal. But also, going to shows can be overwhelming from the other side too. The Observatory has been pretty trusty for me over the years thanks to its out-of-the-way location (no Hollywood hustle and bustle), relatively cozy floor arrangement (I know my spots to get a good view without getting stepped on), and cheap drinks. I thought it’d be relatively easier to slip back into a groove somewhere I’ve been catching shows since even before it was my job.

That rust, though. For the first time, I actually had anxiety about getting to the venue late (I hate standing in line, so my tendency is to arrive right before the show starts in earnest), what I was going to wear (resolved by my old man tendency to just wear sweats to everything but weddings), and the whole entry rigamarole. I forgot my earplugs. I remembered to bring cash for parking. I give myself a cautious 7/10.

Blxst, meanwhile, saw some room for improvement right at the start of his set, as fans were treated to the sight of a roadie’s desktop while they struggled to switch backdrops from the opener’s simple static graphic to Blxst’s animated reel. However, the mishap may have illustrated Blxst’s greatest strength. While all this was going on behind him, he was actually performing his first song. I don’t think a whole bunch of people noticed the backdrop because the performer himself is so magnetic.

One thing that helped his stellar performance was the fact that No Love Lost is chock full of absolute slappers. “Overrated” got a huge pop, as did “Be Alone,” “Gang Slide,” and “Just Say’n.” He also peppered in joints from his and Bino Rideaux’s joint project Sixtape 2, and some of his more popular features with local acts like 1TakeJay and Kalan.FrFr, both of whom popped out to perform along with him. However, the crowd absolutely roared when Sacramento spitter Mozzy and LA summertime sovereign Dom Kennedy showed up to perform their songs with Blxst (Bino is on his own tour, and more than once I overheard a fellow attendee wish aloud for him to make an appearance).

Another tip for artists preparing to pop out: it helps to launch your tour with a rowdy local show. The young crowd — think early-20s, college-age kids, although The Observatory is an all-ages crowd (always get the mid-week show if you can) — was in his pocket from the jump. We’ve all spent months hearing his music at house parties, on our work/study playlists, and at local mainstays like the Drew League. On some songs, it almost seemed the crowd was doing all the singing for Blxst, although he and his talented backup singer were very impressive.

It’s clear that Blxst has spent time honing his live show, even if he couldn’t actually perform it for anyone yet. And that might be the biggest takeaway from his blueprint: use the time you have to perfect the craft of performing. While it seems a lot of artists throw together a setlist and head out, the long hiatus has, I believe, left fans hungry for more. Honestly, they deserve more. Before the pandemic, my last concert was an absolute yawner simply because it didn’t seem like the artists themselves felt like performing for fans was special. They’d taken it for granted. Blxst, who never got the chance to sing for an appreciative crowd, never did. He made it feel special for all of us — the artist and fans, both.

Mozzy Gets Confessional In His Somber ‘Straight To The 4th’ Video

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Sacramento reality rapper Mozzy returns with a new album and the video for its first single. “Straight To The 4th,” which released today at midnight, finds Mozzy waxing nostalgic on his fallen friend Skeemo and giving his directives for what to do upon his own passing: “If I die before I wake, then take me straight to 4th,” he rhymes on the chorus. A helpful flyby shot of a 44th Street sign in Mozzy’s home neighborhood Oak Park elucidates his meaning.

Along with the video for “Straight To The 4th,” Mozzy announced the impending release of his next album, Untreated Trauma, which will be his second of 2021 and fifth project in the last two years. In 2019, he dropped Internal Affairs, while in 2020, he put out two projects, Beyond Bulletproof and Occupational Hazard. The former became his highest-charting project to date, peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, earlier in 2021, Mozzy teamed up with Compton rapper YG for the collaborative album Kommunity Service, which included the singles “Bompton to Oak Park,” “Perfect Timing” with Blxst, and “Vibe with You” featuring Ty Dolla Sign. Untreated Trauma, set for a September 17 release, will include appearances from Babyface Ray, Celly Ru, E. Mozzy, EST Gee, Kalan.FrFr, and YFN Lucci.

Watch Mozzy’s “Straight To The 4th” video above.

Untreated Trauma is due 9/17 via EMPIRE. You can pre-save it here.

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YG, Mozzy, And Ty Dolla Sign’s Video For ‘Vibe With You’ Is The Essence Of A West Coast Summer Day

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YG and Mozzy dropped their joint album Kommunity Service last month. It was a solid display of West Coast rap and it’s one that the duo continues to promote. Indeed, now they’ve dropped a new video for “Vibe With You,” which elicits Ty Dolla Sign to sing the song’s chorus, all while the trio drinks in the essence of a West Coast summer day. That includes riding with their ladies in a car with the top down and enjoying an outdoor day party with a large cast of women standing around them.

“Vibe With You” is the fifth track from Kommunity Service to receive the video treatment, following ones for “Dangerous” with G Herbo, “Gangsta,” “Perfect Timing” with Blxst, and “Bompton To Oak Park.” As for Kommunity Service as a whole, the 10-track album features help from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, G Herbo, Tyga, D3, E Mozzy, Celly Ru, and Young M.A., in addition to the aforementioned names.

Elsewhere, Mozzy recently stood alongside Allblack and YFN Lucci in their own videos, while YG handed out more than $20,000 worth of his Block Runner shoes to ex-inmates in Los Angeles.

You can watch the visual for “Vibe With You” above.

Kommunity Service is out now via Mozzy Records/4Hunnid Records/EMPIRE. Get it here.

Ty Dolla Sign is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

YG & Mozzy Remind You That Gang Life Is ‘Dangerous’ With G Herbo

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While rap songs and videos can have the unintended side effect of making gang life look cooler than it is, YG & Mozzy are here to remind you that it’s still quite “Dangerous” in the latest video from their recently released joint album Kommunity Service. The first verse finds the California natives trading quick-witted quatrains upbraiding posers who claim affiliation without the muscle to back it up, while G Herbo brings the song home with his own chest-beating feature to close things out.

The stripped-down video keeps to the established aesthetic from their “Bompton To Oak Park” clip, with a legion of goons mean-mugging the camera to underline the street-loyal lyrics, shot through a perspective warping fish-eye lens. The duo has shown an impressive degree of flexibility with the album rollout so far, as well; while thoroughly praising their expected “Gangsta” credentials in these videos, they’ve alternated them with more positive messaging in the semi-romantic clip for “Perfect Timing.” Album cuts like “Vibe With You” have also offset the menace, because you can’t always be in war mode.

Meanwhile, the duo’s members have done their fair share of good work in the world, too. YG recently gave away $20,000 worth of sneakers to former inmates to ensure that the project’s title wasn’t just figurative.

Watch YG & Mozzy’s “Dangerous” video above.

YG And Mozzy’s Thrilling ‘Gangsta’ Video Flexes Their Hood Credentials

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YG and Mozzy’s joint album Kommunity Service has arrived and with it, the video for “Gangsta,” the project’s intro and third single. Borrowing the loop from 50 Cent’s 2002 breakout hit “Wanksta,” the two West Coast native flash their hood passes and talk major cash, taunting phony gangbangers and reiterating their own credentials. YG steals the show with a double-time flow on the back half of his verse, showing off a newly polished flow that shows he’s been on the J. Cole rap writing workout plan.

Speaking of stealing things, the video is a tongue-in-cheek affair, as YG and Mozzy recruit a team of lingerie-clad honeypots to infiltrate a mark’s mansion, tying him down and opening the door for YG, Mozzy, and their goons to enjoy an illicit shopping spree at the rich man’s expense. It shouldn’t be funny, but with veteran actor De’Aundre Bonds (aka Stacey from The Wood and Dope and Skully from Snowfall) playing the victim, there’s plenty of humor imparted to the proceeds thanks to his portrayal as more annoyed than frightened.

“Gangsta” was preceded by videos for “Bompton To Oak Park,” which kicked off the rollout for Kommunity Service, and “Perfect Timing” with Blxst, which showed things wouldn’t be all gangbanging on the duo’s collaboration.

Watch YG & Mozzy’s “Gangsta” video above.

Kommunity Service is out now on Empire. Get it here.

YG And Mozzy Show Off Their Softer Sides With Help From Ty Dolla Sign On ‘Vibe With You’

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Hip-hop has granted fans a decent amount of joint albums over the last few years. Drake and Future, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, 21 Savage and Offset, Future and Lil Uzi Vert, and more are among the list of rappers who took a moment to combine the best of both worlds for a project. The latest example comes from YG and Mozzy who just released their joint album, Kommunity Service. The 10-track effort is flooded with the many colors of West Coast rap with one example coming on “Vibe With You” which features fellow California native, Ty Dolla Sign.

On the collaboration, the two rappers take a moment from the muscle-flexing and big talk that is heavily present on Kommunity Service to let their softer sides fly. Altogether, “Vibe With You” is a chilled track that sees YG and Mozzy detailing how their fame has made it easier to keep the ladies entertained.

In addition to the Ty Dolla Sign guest appearance, Kommunity Service also sees features from G Herbo, E Mozzy, Celly Ru, D3szn, Tyga, Blxst, Young M.A, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. YG and Mozzy first began the campaign for the new album with “Bompton To Oak Park” and “Perfect Timing.”

You can listen to “Vibe With You” in the video above.

Kommunity Service is out now via Mozzy Records/4Hunnid/EMPIRE. Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Allblack And Mozzy Trade ‘War Stories’ In Their Grizzled New Video

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In Allblack‘s new video for “War Stories,” he and Mozzy keep DMX’s legacy of hyperviolent but secretly super sad lyricism alive, detailing both the bloody shootouts that peppered their lives with tragedy and the deep mental scars such trauma can bring in its aftermath. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t loved so much, I’d die today,” Allblack mulls. “Next birthday, I’ma put a bomb inside my cake.” The sentiment is similar to X’s verse on Mase’s “24 Hours To Live,” in which X seemingly decides that 24 hours is just too long and he’s going out with a bang.

Meanwhile, Mozzy’s verse is less depressed but no less grim. “The homies popped the homie, I tried to tell him he wrong,” he remembers. “He don’t care though, all black Forces you know we wear those.” Detroit rapper Peezy brings up the anchor verse, coming a bit more boastfully but with an anxious undercurrent amid the triumphant tone. “Used to sell raw, cook crack up in the kitchen sink,” he muses. “Now I gotta wake up early for a business meetin’.” At least the story has a happy ending.

“War Stories” is the latest single from Allblack’s recently released album TY4FWM, which finds the Bay Area fixture rapping with fellow NorCal rhymers E-40, G-Eazy, Guapdad 4000, and Rexx Life Raj, as well as more Detroiters such as Sada Baby and even Long Beach’s Vince Staples. You can listen to that here.

Watch Allblack’s “War Stories” video with Mozzy above.