“This is the opportunity of a career – of a lifetime,” said Hot 104.1 Operations Manager Boogie D. “Whoever wins tonight will perform at Scottrade Center – the biggest stage in St. Louis.”
It was well after midnight Tuesday at The Loft nightclub.
Nerves were racing among the local artists in the final four for Super Jam Madness – the talent competition that came with the prize of opening the show for Super Jam 2014.
The annual summer concert series presented by the radio station has boasted some of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop over the last six years – so many it’s easy to lose count. Two Chainz, T.I., Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, Miguel, Nelly and The St. Lunatics, Master P and Wale have been among them.
On this night, though, it would be names that plenty of people don’t know wishing and praying for their own place in Super Jam history when it moves to the Scottrade Center on June 21. The first three acts were announced on Monday afternoon.
And Indiana Rome, Mookie Tolliver, Nephari and Yak Boy Fresh were competing to be the fourth name announced on the bill, along with Juicy J, K. Michelle and Kendrick Lamar. They were being judged by a panel of four – Finsta of AMP STL, producer B. Money, Kevin Johnson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and myself.
The truth is, R&B singers Tolliver and Nephari had their work cut out for them.
They were up against two artists who have been grinding the St. Louis hip-hop scene for the past few years. Although at polar opposite ends of the hip-hop spectrum, both had an equal shot at a spot for different reasons.
The real competition was among the rappers.
But the singers should have looked at Super Jam Madness as a learning opportunity – mainly from their competitors Rome and Fresh – to see the importance and weight of creating hometown buzz by relentless local show appearances and honing one’s performance craft.
As far as the true battle goes, Yak Boy Fresh was up first.
He brought his own DJ, hype man and even his own super-sized vinyl backdrop. He came out with the look of any given pop star or boy band lead singer. But he also brought the confidence and swag of an R&B heartthrob coupled with the energy of a hip-hop artist who is dedicated to the craft, but with extreme crossover appeal.
In the five minutes he was given, Fresh did three selections – including a freestyle that gave his DJ (DJ Perception) some time to shine.
He had a flow that one couldn’t be mad at. It definitely had pop appeal, but Fresh didn’t neglect his North County (or “NoCo,” as he referred to it in his rhyme) roots. There was something “so St. Louis” and nothing corny about what might have come across as a gimmick at first sight.
Rome followed immediately afterwards on the stage and couldn’t be any more different in his approach to hip-hop.
He hit the stage wearing what he probably had on all day. And the only thing he brought with him was a crowd.
The Indianapolis native has built a local following as an underground hip-hop artist in St. Louis, and they rushed to the stage to show their support.
Dozens of fans, followers and fellow rappers nodded their heads, had their hands in the air and rapped along like they were watching a hip-hop icon deliver classics.
He jumped into the crowd of his colleagues and disciples and joined in the energy.
And when he jumped on top of the beat for his second selection “Cloud Nine,” Rome had the whole venue in his hands.
“He went all the way in,” host Staci Static said as Rome left the stage.
National recording artist Tinashe performed her debut single “2 On” as the scores were tallied. It was a two-horse race, but neck and neck in my opinion.
“Who is it?” “Who did y’all pick?” “Who you got?” strangers filed up and audaciously asked judges and station staff.
The suspense was palpable.
Indiana Rome walked away with the win. As “Cloud Nine” played in the background, he raised his hands and gave a “big up” to the sky. As the track continued and the audience grooved, one couldn’t help but anticipate how well the song would resonate with the Super Jam crowd when Rome makes his Super Jam debut at Scottrade.
Super Jam 2014 will take place on Saturday, June 21 at Scottrade Center starring Juicy J, Kendrick Lamar and K. Michelle and Super Jam Madness 2014 Winner Indiana Rome. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday, April 4) at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets and the Scottrade Center box office.
