There’s a rap battle of sorts brewing in town on Feb. 24.
A cleaner and meaner MadChild plays Industry that night, while gangsta rapper Juvenile will be throwing down rhymes at Echo Room.
The rapper’s home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but Juvenile, who hails from Slidell, Lousiana is stronger than ever these days.
Juvenile was born Terius Gray and he’s making his first western Canadian concert debut on this tour. He started out in his teens, and dropped his first album on the Warlock label in 1995, Being Myself. Juvenile eventually crossed paths with Cash Money label owners Ronald ‘Suga Slim’ and Brian ‘Baby’ Williams, who issued 1996’s Soulja Rags; the album became a major underground hit, and set the stage for the release of 1998’s 400 Degreez. Hurricane Katrina and its grim aftermath were hot topics on his chart-topping 2006 album Reality Check.
Juvenile, Feb. 24, Echo Room, $30 in advance or VIP $45 call 604-703-4450.
MadChild of Swollen Members is touring solo with DJ Rob the Viking and playing Chilliwack Thursday. The singer, Shane Bunting, who goes by the handle, MadChild has had his share of issues.
In the years since starting recovery from his nasty Oxycontin habit with a stint in rehab, he’s been getting reacquainted with the music biz, and stirring things up in other ways.
“These days you don’t need a label, just a laptop,” he says.
MadChild has been on the road with the More Brass and Vicious Tour with his DJ from Swollen Members, Rob the Viking.
He was recently banned from the United States (http://exploremusic.com/news/swollen-members-madchild-banned-from-america/) due to troubles he had years ago, which has annoyed him no end. His new CD M.A.D.E will be out this year.
Madchild at Industry, Feb. 24, $20 in advance ($25 at the door), with guests Tre Nyce and more.
