For any gaming fans wondering why heroes get all the fame and glory, Big Bad Bosses is a comedy parody supergroup to satisfy the villain sympathy. The self-described video game villain boy band released their debut album, Power Overwhelming (TOVG Records), in December 2015, preceded by big-boasting single “I’m the Boss.” The famous bosses who took the time away from their villainous day jobs are: Sephy (Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII), Big Bow, Ronik (Dr. Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog), and G-Ca$h (Ganondorf from Zelda). The group is influenced by the style of late ’90s boy bands like *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, as well as early-aughts hip-hop akin to the No Limit and Bad Boy sound. While the voices are provided by prominent YouTube video game personalities, the music and lyrics were written by Jake Kaufman (Double Dragon Neon, Contra 4, Shovel Knight, OK K.O.). Comedic references and genre spoofing are abound, producing a sly kind of fun that Cloud Strife, Mario, Sonic, and Link might be too busy to provide.
MC Lars is the creator of post punk laptop rap and lit hop, which he has extended and powered into a fusion of rap, punk, rock, ska, pop, and other genres. He is post-modern — combining his music with powerful and present lyrics, and packing concert venues with raps about everything from the iGeneration to Guitar Hero to Edgar Allen Poe to Game of Thrones, the Simpsons and Cyberbullying. He speaks to and for people of all ages, lifestyles, and perspectives, and is a story-teller, covering love, life, loss, confusion, and hope. He does so with energy and wit, joined with a strong sense of humor and perspective. He is an engaging, exciting and compelling performer, and was selected by 12 Street Press as one of the top 7 nerd rock artists to see live. He tours in the US, the UK and the rest of Europe, Australia, and Japan. His latest tour, the fall 2017 MC Lars Awesome Adventure Friendship Tour, opens in Denver in September, and continues through 20 shows in the US, England, and Scotland. In addition to touring, he has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, at South by Southwest, ComicCon, Slam Dunk Festival, Truck Festival, Orlando Nerd Fest, and as part of Vans Warped Tour. He has performed on stage with numerous artists, including Bowling for Soup, MC Frontalot, mc chris, Wheatus, Say Anything, Gym Class Heroes, Brand New, Simple Plan, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Nas, and Koo Koo Kangaroo. He is a DIY Indie artist and a number of his albums have been funded by his fans through Kickstarter, at record-breaking levels. His work (albums, EPs, and music videos) includes collabs with a wide range of musicians – among them, “Weird Al” Yankovic, KRS-One, Sage Francis, Watsky, Mega Ran, Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup, Wheatus, the Matches, Ash Wednesday, Kool Keith, Spose, MC Chris, MC Frontalot, YT Cracker, E 40, Schäffer the Dark Lord, Beefy, and K.Flay. He is an active and successful player in the music industry’s new media digital world; and has a strong presence with his fans through Patreon, Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and his own label, Horris Records. He is wired and connected, worldwide, through his active social media presence, his website, and his online store at Hello Merch. His “MC Lars: The Video Game,” accessible through Steam, showcases his songs in an engaging and fun-to-play beat-driven story about the compelling triumph of indie music. Lars teaches and lectures, too, and his songs are used by fellow teachers in classrooms throughout the US. He has presented on TEDx and at numerous colleges and high schools. He has worked on a public-service basis with the American Heart Association, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Nantucket Historical Association, the Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum, the New York City public school system, and the Los Angeles public school system through the USC Annenberg School for Communication. He is one of the artists featured in the Cambridge University Press “Companion to Hip-Hop,” and has close relationships with faculty members at Stanford and USC.
Mega Ran, aka Raheem Jarbo of Philadelphia is arguably the world’s most well known video-game influenced performance artist. Since signing an unprecidented licensing deal with international developer Capcom, the former teacher’s high-energy shows and fun, nerdy persona have led to world tours, festival and video game tournament performances, and a legion of smart art fans he calls “Team Mega.”
Mega Ran’s newest release “RNDM” debuted at #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, and ended the year 11th on CMJ’s Year End Hip Hop Chart, above Dr. Dre’s Compton, and several other notable releases.
Ran continues to bend genre definitions and reality with each release, and the sky is the limit. Mega Ran may have traded in the chalk for the microphone, but every song, every lyric, and every appearance is a lesson. School is in.
SkyBlew’s music is very positive and inspirational but it still gets the fans attention with infectious beats and lyrics. This kid sounds like NOTHING out right now! Speaking from his life experiences such as: foster care, homelessness, etc, he uses his message in hopes to make a difference. He chose to rise above the dire circumstances and share his story. SkyBlew uniquely incorporates anime, cartoon and video game references/themes into his repertoire, to create hip hop like you’ve never heard before! His music has been used by FUNimation and more! We guarantee, he will captivate the crowd with an AMAZING performance you’re sure to never forget! Come ready to enjoy yourselves and have a great time!
Mario “SkyBlew” Farrow grew up in Alabama. Most of his neighborhoods were polluted with drugs, gangs, and violence. Surrounded by negativity and transitioning into various foster homes, he could have easily chosen the wrong path. Rather than succumbing to his environment and dire circumstances, Mario chose to rise above them and use music to soothe his soul and escape. He would freestyle and rhyme to himself, eventually penning his lyrics under the name, “Young Millionaire,” in 2004. In 2008 Mario relocated and acclimated to Chapel Hill, NC. During this transitional period, he delved deeply into his craft, linking up with local emcees and producers like ACee, Shoton, and KdotMills. Taking his lyricism to the next level, Mario decided to change his handle to “SkyBlew.” His music is proving to be unique with an uplifting, powerful, and positive message in Hip-Hop. SkyBlew uses his sincere, substantive lyrics & soulful sound to breathe life into a genre saturated with lies, darkness and gimmicks. Most say, SkyBlew is a breath of fresh air! He pushes the boundaries with his music and brings a new/unique flavor to the music world. In addition to his solo career, SkyBlew is also half of the dynamic duo known as Blaze the Sky, with fellow emcee, Azon Blaze.
SkyBlew, doesn’t want to put himself in a box, so he strays away from putting certain labels on his style. He simply titles it – Painting The Sky,Blew!!! The young artist, also creatively incorporates video game, cartoon and anime references/themes into his repertoire in a very unique way. It’s all about having fun, spreading LOVE, being yourself & enjoying life! Staying true to himself and following his Dreams, has even led to his music being used by the GIANT anime company, FUNimation!!! SkyBlew, accompanied by his live Jazz Hop band – The Digi Destined, made headlines after their memorable performance at the MAJOR, Hopscotch Music Festival 2015, opening for Pusha T! He has performed at countless anime and video game conventions including: Anime Weekend Atlanta, The Carolina Gaming Summit, Hoshicon, The Triad Anime Con, T-Mode & more! He’s been on multiple tours, including a few with his musical mentor, Mega Ran!! SkyBlew’s distinctive sound is attributed to the diversity of his idols. His musical influences include: Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Lupe Fiasco, Nujabes, 2Pac, De La Soul, Scapegoat Wax, Blue Scholars, Amy Winehouse and a host of other artists from all genres. His studies have taken him full circle in the history of Hip-Hop.
Kenzie Black is an American multi-genre music producer, international open-format DJ, & Yami Kawaii fashion enthusiast. Inspired by Yami Kawaii, she mixes dark & cute bass music beats with video game & anime remixes. Her songs, videos, and tracks always have the message “We Rise Together” in support of animal welfare activism, and other social movements she cares about, and this implies that people from any culture can come together as a community, and encourage each other in darkness and in light, towards a meaningful cause we believe in collectively. .｡:+*(♡_♡)