July 13th is an important day for the Houston music scene. In reference to the area code, 7/13 is a day for city-wide celebration. Whether a local shop has a special deal or an outdoor market or festival is being held, the Houston area is filled with fun things to do. But what better way to celebrate than with some of the city’s most iconic MC’s. Hosted by Lil’ Keke, the 713 Day celebration event at Rise Rooftop, gave stage to a number of local artist and Houston rap legends.
Starting the Night off strong, Jimmy Bolt and his army of of hypemen and dancers, dressed in camouflage suits and shorts, turned things up immediately. The self-titled “Yockstar”, quickly clarified his aptly named alias with his extravagant performance. Using the entirety of the stage, Bolt and his crew excelled in getting every inch of the crowd participating in their high energy antics. High-jumps and excessive headbanging replaced the club/dance energy left by the previous DJ.
Taking time for the occasional round of bottle service and set changes, the night moved through a selection of rising Texas artist before the H-town Legends hit the stage. The anticipating energy of the crowd was already at an all-time high but was suddenly jolted. The setup of Rise Rooftop leaves little to the imagination, there is no backstage area, so, as soon as the crowd caught sight of good friends Slim Thug and Paul Wall heading to the sidestage, the reaction was overwhelming.
Smiles where everywhere as a massive collection of rappers, managers, business partners (and whoever else out of the almost 100 people that were allowed on stage) shook hands and greeted each other for what might have been the first time since the quarantine for some.
As the center of the stage cleared, original Screwed Up Click member Big Pokey commandeered the mic. Spitting a collection of classic verses Pokey moved to his new songs of his recently certified album Sansei.
Passing to Slim Thug next, the Boss Hogg Outlaw began with his classic “Thug”, before quickly pitching the mic off to Paul Wall during thier performance of “Still Tippin'”. Wall rallies the venue with his diamond smile as he recites his verse a capella along with the chanting crowd.
That was just enough to get the crowd in a freestyle mood for what was to come next. A hat, sunglasses, and a facemask, covered a unknown performer until it became immediately clear who it was. As the cue dropped for “Mo City Don” the crowd erupted as everyone prepared to help out the legendary Z-Ro with one or his and Houston’s most notable tunes.
As the crowd caught their breath, the showmaster Lil’ Keke departed from the DJ Booth. “I’d like to thank everyone for being here tonight. All my friends here with me on stage but just as importantly, you.” He tells pointing to the audience. “It’s truly an honor to be able to bring this to the my city and home.”
The Don then kicked his performance off with “Im a G”, garnering love and support from all around as his friends and fans sang with him. Accompanied dancing by Sauce Walka during “Southside” kept the energy fun as Keke ran though a quick collection of his hits until the end of the night.
Head to https://spacecityfrequency.com/713day-gallery/ for a full gallery of the night.
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