Yelawolf and Rittz at Club Red 11/4

What do rappers, an Appalachian dulcimer, steel guitars, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, turntables, pianos, and mosh pits all have in common? Probably nothing; except the spectacle that was Yelawolf's ridiculously genre-diverse show at Club Red last Tuesday night.

Slumerican culture introduces a number of elements you won't see at a run-of-the-mill rap show. For example, a mounted deer head at the merch booth.

Diversity also reared its head in the audience as numerous Strange Music and Slumerican fans turned out to see Rittz (currently signed to Strange), and Slumerican founder (though currently signed to Shady Records) Yelawolf. Both artists have a long history of collaboration between their respective record labels and its safe to say this comradery is shared among the crowd.

A strong sought-after supporting act is just one of the many unique, positive parts of tonight's show. Though he isn't the headliner, you wouldn't know it by the crowd's audible collective roar upon Rittz's taking the stage; a sure sign that very few people showed up here just to see Yelawolf. Rittz proves his popularity is far from unwarranted, spitting rapid bars with an accuracy made more impressive by a flow that seems to switch gears every other line. If that wasn't enough to win you over, Rittz takes it further continuing to rap a capella without missing a beat. Studio quality rhythm like that isn't something you always get from fast rappers, but Rittz's ability to live up to his recordings all throughout his set is impressive.


Talent is a strong suit for Rittz, but he brings more than skill to the table at his live performance. The mile wide smile regularly growing on his face silently screams "I love what I do, this moment is perfect". I can feel the unmistakable vibe that radiates from an artist who's truly fallen in love with performing. There's a sonic presence of this energy in Rittz's fluctuating inflection as he screams, shouts, and raps his audience into a frenzy. Watching Rittz work the stage left to right it's clear there's enough to go around too. His stamina and vigor on stage go to no waste as the entire Club returns the energy audibly following line after line.

Skill and a good crowd reception don't constitute a big ego for Rittz. Repeatedly showing humble appreciation for his fans, Rittz tells us "I've been out here five or six times and always get a great crowd. I never get used to that s***. I aint no rich a** rapper". His likability continues to shine between songs, going on to speak to the crowd "Everybody on social media has some s*** to say, f*** that be yourself.". His blunt attitude is balanced with an entertaining sense of humor as Rittz places his mic on it's stand saying "Mic stand on stage make you feel like you're in a rock band or some s***. You get a false sense like you can dance." Our grinning jaws drop in laughter as Rittz goes on to impersonate a country singer, leaning the mic stand side to side soulfully.

Having entertained us from every angle, the end of Rittz's set leaves everyone more than pumped for Yelawolf.

My intrigue is quickly sparked before Alabama-based rapper Yelawolf even takes the stage. The two accompanying instrumentalists, Bones Owens and DJ Klever. appear on stage first. Both are dressed in all black from their wide brimmed hats down to their boots. Catching my eye is Bones Owen's eloquent cluster of country piano ornaments featuring a navajo style blanket, candles, and a horned animal skull. The first sound heard is the roaring engine of what I safely assume is a Chevy, similar to that of the intro to Yelawolf's song "Get the F***Up". Yela literally jumps into his first song bounding onto the stage wielding a can of Budweiser, sporting a cowboy hat and boots. The visual presence of the Slumerican southern roots hits you like a bag of rocks.

Early in his set we can see Yelawolf chopping through a familiar smirk cracking across his face. You have to love going to a show where the artist is having just as much fun as the audience. Which is saying a lot considering how much fun we were having in the mosh pit that exploded during "Push 'Em". In addition to passion, Yelawolf shares with Rittz a similar sense of humility, telling his fans "It's an honor for us to get up and do this for you all". Thinking back to Rittz's comment on mic stands, the rock infused mayhem going on safely justifies Yelawolf's use of his mic stand.

Following a healthy dose of snare heavy punk drums on the "Push 'Em" instrumental, Bones Owens puts down the guitar and hops on keys for "Throw It Up". Continuing to display the skills of a one man band, Bones also whips out the Appalachian dulcimer for "Catfish Billy". Bones Owens continues to pull out instrument after instrument and there's never a dull moment on his side of the stage throughout the show.

Things go from chaotic to dark and heavy as Yela introduces his next song. Requesting all house lights be turned off, he instructs the crowd "If you love somebody lighters up. if you've ever experienced violence, been the giver or taker of violence, lighters up." bringing a chilling new feeling to the lyrics of "Pop the Trunk".

Bringing Rittz back on stage the two perform "Box Chevy" together; an especially hair raising sight
considering it was Rittz's feature on "Box Chevy" that kick started his now successful rap career.

Now if you think rock, rap, and country don't mix, a Yelawolf show will cause you some serious cognitive dissonance. But go ahead and doubt him, Yelawolf welcomes it. Stating "Growing up in a small town in Alabama I always had to prove I was hip-hop. Motherf****** would tell me I ain't hip-hop." as a small preamble to  "I Wish" as he goes on to say "I wish a motherf***** would tell me I ain't hop-hop!". Demonstrating their cross culture resilience, Bones, Klever, and Yelawolf all seamlessly transition from "I Wish" over to hip-hop adaptations of "Back In Black", "Sweet Home Alabama", and "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

The crowd is a hot mess as Yelawolf concludes his set. Even one, two, three encores later, we're all begging for more. If you want to hear more from Yelawolf, pick up his newest single "Till It's Gone" and more directly from his website. For more from Rittz you can pick up his newest album "Next to Nothing" at the Strange Music store.