by Joely Kelzer
April 24, 2023
Once Upon A Time at Ratchet St Entry was a fairytale night for the Minneapolis hip-hop scene. With an MC, a DJ, backup dancers, high-energy performers, a fog machine, and lights, Essjay The AfrocentricRatchet facilitated the most theatrical performance I’ve ever seen at the 7th St Entry.
The night started with DJ McShellen spinning some tunes in her rhinestoned headphones while the audience made their way in and the sun went down. She kept the energy up with a mix of R&B, Afrobeats, and City Girls.
Starting the performances of the night was Minneapolis rap scene’s sweetheart, Grrrlstomp f.k.a Riotgrrrldarko. She came on stage in furry moon boots and a black fur hat accompanied by her DJ, Meda, who was wearing a princess crown and a dress. People were already dancing all around the room; in line for the bar, seated, even the guy in the sound booth was dancing. She commanded the audience subtly. Her nonchalant energy mixed with her cutting lyrics like “Full combat I never gave a fuck” made her music come to life. She ended the set with, “If I had one wish it would be that everyone sees the beauty and peace in everything. Have a nice fucking night everyone.”
One of the best parts of the show was the Host/MC, Tella. She was completely committed to being the show’s “fairy hoemother,” granting wishes for each performer like they were Cinderella.
The night continued to gain theatricality and energy as it went on. Big Kiaa was next, but she didn’t come out alone. She was accompanied by four backup dancers in matching fishnets, pink leotards, and ponytails. She became part of the crowd throughout the set, walking off stage and into the crowd while continuing to rap. She joked with the crowd at the end, pretending to end her set with a sentimental song before yelling, “You know I can’t do y’all like that!” She got in the crowd and everyone was shouting, “Go Kiaa! Go Kiaa!” in unison. She lived up to her name - Big Kiaa, big energy.
The DJ announced a “prince so fair” as Tristan Price walked on stage to the sound of trumpets. A dancer did a cartwheel from backstage onto the stage to join Tristan and he spun the dancer around before more dancers appeared on stage. Amid the fog, a dancer did a headstand on a chair while twerking. It was a true performance. Tristan’s final wish from the fairy hoemother was for “the baddest, realest, fairest princess in all the land.
EuphoriasRoom came on stage through a huge cloud of fog and pink lighting in a white corset and beaded hat. She turned up the performance with her choreography in sync with the dancers. She had multiple outfit changes throughout the show, first, into a ski mask and puffer jacket to come back out for some of her more hard-hitting raps. At the end of the set, she had one of the backup dancers hold a mirror and brush with bows on it for her like a princess while she did her final outfit change, keeping in theme.
DJ McShellen helped the fairy hoemother announce the next guest by saying, “Now time for a royal twerk break, shaketh thy knickers.” DJ McShellen continues to keep the energy up by adding in adlibs and singing along to each performer's song, feeding off their energy. Especially during Jaeji’s set, she was shouting along, “Give it up give give give it up”.
The fairy hoemother introduced Essjay The AfrocentricRatchet with a final riddle, “So many wishes and so many desires has set the ratchet witch of the west on fire. So many wishes and so many come true she can even grant a wish for you.”
Weed smoke, fog, and yellow lights filled the air when Essjay hit the stage. The dancers brought the drama for her performance, both with their choreography and on their faces. Without missing a beat, Essjay was joining in on their choreography, bringing the whole night together. Every few songs, Essjay would bring a performer back out to perform a song with her. Calling out, “Where’s the wolf at? Bring the wolf out!” while Tristan Price made his way to the stage to perform with her. Later in the set, she brought out Jaeji. I even saw Big Kiaa hyping her up the whole time dancing in the front. Outside of her music videos, this was my first time seeing her perform, her commitment to her craft was on full display. Each song was a whole new performance of its own. She brought her personality on stage and joked with the audience saying, “It’s so funny that our songs got titles like ‘Sick’ and ‘Hungry’ lmao we worried about y’all.” She called to the DJ for one last song and the DJ rapped right along with Essjay into the mic, it was a party.
Sunday night showed the commitment this city has to hip-hop culture and continuing traditions. It was a SHOW, it was not just a concert. The fairytale theme, costumes, host’s riddles, DJ’s energy, dancers’ hard-hitting choreography, and each performer made the night one to remember. A wish come true.
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