![\"\"](\"http:\/\/illsocietymag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/RSWD-1.jpg\" "\\"RSWD-1\\"")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nBright lights, Speakers bumpin, high energy, and continuous chants of “Rosewood”<\/strong> filled the arena in downtown Echo Park at the Echoplex<\/strong> for the RSWD Backside<\/strong> one year anniversary. As you step into the entrance of the Echoplex, you can feel the vibrations of the speakers rippling off the wall. As the doors open, you are immediately hit with the hard hitting drums blasting out of the speakers and a crowd full of hipsters and street heads deeply rooted with the Los Angeles underground and street culture. The energy you felt around the venue had everyone\u2019s vibe in good spirits as the performers got ready to hit the stage.<\/p>\n The first artist to bless the stage was Senor Homme<\/strong> who kicked things off that had the crowd going crazy. He began his performance with his crew that had everyone in an uproar lighting and throwing glow sticks up in the air from side to side which set the tone for what was gonna be a good night. Senor Homme<\/strong> had heads bouncing as soon as he dropped \u201cBespkoe Speakers,\u201d<\/strong> which is a mix of beat drums and jazz chords that evokes a soulful rhythm that had heads nodding and body\u2019s rocking. He followed with his next single \u201cBlue Dynamite\u201d<\/strong> that sounds like music from the classic old school black films in the late 70\u2019s\/80\u2019s era that Senor Homme<\/strong> has brought back to the future with his timeless witty lyrics. To kick things up a notch he brought the party out of everyone when he performed \u201cCelebration\u201d<\/strong> where he took out a Megaphone<\/em> and began dropping lyrical bombs into the crowd that kept the party going. He later slowed things down on the Megaphone<\/em> performing \u201cStill\u201d<\/strong> and finished his set with a couple unreleased tracks off his upcoming mixtape slated to release later this year.<\/p>\n Next up to hit the stage was Los Angeles artist CBG (Chill Black Guys)<\/strong>. Before CBG<\/strong> even hit the stage, the crowd was in full effect. As soon as the first single dropped, an all out mosh pit formed in the middle of the crowd by the front area of the stage where you saw elbows, arms, heads, and hair swangin. Cush smoke filled the air and the crowd was in a constant uproar that could only be described in two words\u2026. Ba \u2013 Nanas!<\/strong> Even the ladies were out representing, bouncing from side to side throwing elbows. As you looked around the Echoplex, it was like taking a trip through history during the 80\u2019s and early 90\u2019s with people rocking anything from old school Fubu jersey\u2019s<\/em> to women sporting gold bamboo earrings<\/em>. Jay Ughh<\/strong> and Young Hawaii Slim<\/strong> performed a compilation of all their hottest tracks off their latest mixtape titled \u201cCBG The Mixtape.\u201d<\/strong> Tracks such as \u201cOn the Low\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cSlide Thru\u201d<\/strong> brought the crowds energy up that got the mosh pit going followed by \u201cSmoking Purp,\u201d<\/strong> which had blunts raised in the air and smoke clouds racing towards the ceiling. Polyester the Saint<\/strong> even made a special appearance on stage to perform \u201cThrow it Bacc\u201d<\/strong> alongside CBG<\/strong>. The duo rapped things up with \u201cNope\u201d<\/strong> that\u2019s become a fan favorite and had each individual come alive.<\/p>\n Following the performance, there was a brief intermission which lead us to checkout the atmosphere backstage that we found was just as live as the crowd action in front. The vibe filled throughout the room was so organic and together you almost felt at home where everyone was partying, smoking, enjoying life, and most importantly enjoying the music.<\/p>\n Alexander Spit<\/strong> hit the stage and immediately turned off all the lights which grabbed everyone\u2019s attention and had everyone front & center in eager anticipation. He brought out special guest Bago<\/strong> who\u2019s a talented up & coming singer who graced the staged with a couple soulful ballads such as “strange x unusual”<\/strong>. He then turned up the volume and hit everyone when he rapped over a compilation of Mike Jones \u201cStill Tippin\u201d<\/strong> & David Banners classic \u201cLike a Pimp\u201d<\/strong> that had everyone turnt up. Every song Alexander Spit<\/strong> performed had powerful soulful feel to it that fused heavy beat drums with old school jazz melodies of jazz flutes, clarinet\u2019s, & trumpets<\/em> on tracks like “Live Fast”<\/strong>…. With Spits<\/strong> music he def isn’t afraid to explore new boundaries with experimental psychedelic free spirited sounds that take you through roller coaster journey through the mind Alexander<\/strong>. His performance proved he can def handle a show and the icing on the cake came when spit stopped his set to inform everyone about his latest music video that dropped the first week in June titled “Facemelter”<\/strong> that he debuted exclusively solely for those in attendance. For his final track to end his set, Alexander<\/strong> brought out CBG<\/strong> and had the crowd in an array with spits classic tribute to the block where it all started on “Real ROSEWOOD”<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Last to grace the Stage was none other than cARTer Cartier<\/strong> who wasted no time getting the crowd going with his version of Pretty Flacko<\/strong>. cARTer<\/strong> style is a mixture of down south Purple Swag<\/em> mixed with Cali\u2019s Finest<\/em>, which in a nutshell means he\u2019s got a poised laid back style\/flow that is joined with uptempo beats that hit you like a sledge hammer. cARTer<\/strong> definitely left a lasting impact on each song and everyone was passionately reciting every line of each song. One female fan was so excited she jumped on stage and gave everyone an added show and got the crowd going when she hit the splits<\/em>. To end the night, cARTer<\/strong> blazed the stage with his classic \u201cWe all in the Trap\u201d<\/strong> that made for a perfect ending to a memorable night. As soon as, the beat dropped, the entire crowd jumped on stage showing their appreciation for the RSWD<\/strong> movement and got their shine on.<\/p>\n In all, the night was full was of good energy, great music, and lasting memories shared amongst friends and dope people. The Echoplex<\/strong> was the place to be thanks to Senor Homme, CBG, Alexander Spit,<\/strong> and cARTer<\/strong> who definitely sprinkled a dose of what the West Coast<\/em> music scene has to offer. So do yourself a favor and get familiar cuz if you knew better you\u2019d do better simple and plain. <\/p>\n – Knowledge “What’s the Science”<\/p>\n All photos by David Winkelman<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n