Meet this week's guest editor, Ant The Symbol, a Richmond-based music producer. Using a lifetime of musical enthusiasm and almost two decades of production experience, he brings together major players in the Richmond music scene to create an experience that bypasses genre constraints. In addition to music, Ant has a love for sneakers, film, and trying new Richmond restaurants; check out his favorites, Maya and M&F Jamaican Restaurant!
His newest album, I Know Who I Am, is an audacious labor of love that features many familiar faces in Richmond music such as Deau Eyes, Sam Reed, Erin Lunsford, Matthew E. White, and Michael Millions. It combines soul, hip-hop, and pop to make music that’s sure to have you singing along for extended periods of time. It's available via Shockoe Records digitally and physically. CDs are available now, and vinyl is available to pre-order for a fall release!
This week, Ant serves up his recommendations for ways to experience and support the vibrant music scene in RVA! Take it away, Ant ...
RVA Rapper's Delight
We’re closing out Richmond Music Week with a bang(er)! For those who don’t know, hip-hop was born on August 11, 1973, and it’s only right we bring the community together to celebrate. The event will feature DJ Hip-Hop Henry and performances by Reppa Ton, Cane, Radio B, Noah-O and, making his grand return, Nickelus F. The show will be hosted by the radio legend, Mike Street. Come by to experience the past, present, and future of Richmond hip-hop. Part of the proceeds will go to Contribution to the Culture Foundation, who are advocates for the artistic expression, cultural traditions, and creative opportunities within the black/brown community.
As a Here Weekly subscriber, you can receive $10 off per ticket with promo code: RAPRVA.
Finally! We all know that a lot of things changed (and maybe disappeared) when the pandemic hit, but worry no more, because everything is bouncing back. Every year, I wait in excitement for the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival lineup to be released. This year, some of my favorite local artists including Erin & The Wildfire, Zhe' Aqueen, and Weekend Plans will be sharing the stage with Wale, Robert Glasper, Chaka Khan(!!) and many more. The sun’ll be out, and you should be too!
The heat is on! Cool off with some refreshing watermelon at the Carytown Watermelon Festival! And if you don’t love watermelon (which unfortunately, I don’t), there’s still something out there for you whether it be live music, local beer, food or something that I anticipate each year, Plan 9 Music’s sidewalk sale. You never know what gold you’ll find in those crates! Grab a bottle of water (it’s gonna be a hot afternoon) and enjoy one of the city’s staple establishments.
Vitals: Carytown Watermelon Festival / From entrance of Carytown to Byrd Theatre / Sunday, August 13, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
More About Ant.
Ant The Symbol skillfully uses his roots in hip-hop and eclectic musical tastes to create musical experiences that transcend genre boundaries. In his 17-year career, Ant has worked with many artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, DJ Harrison, and Nickelus F. He has also released many albums and scored two short films. His modus operandi is to curate artistic projects that will excite and affect everyone they reach for decades to come.
