Category: photos

Written by Marina Moreno

WHAT:
Funk Volume x Famous Stars and Straps Present:
FVMILY Halloween Bash at The Observatory OC

WHO:
Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton, Swizz, DJ Hoppa, Snow Tha Product, Jon Connor, Mod Sun, Xzibit and Travis Barker on drums.

WHEN:
October 30, 2014 10:30pm-2am

This past weekend was probably one for the books for many people coast to coast. Halloween landed on a Friday, which meant the festivities would carry on past one day. However, there is one crew who got things started a day prior. They are, Funk Volume.

On Thursday October 30th, the most notorious independent label, Funk Volume, held their first ever FVMILY Halloween Bash at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California. In collaboration with Travis Barker’s, Famous Stars and Straps, FV founder Dame Ritter pulled off a magnificent, high energy show with performances from Xzibit, Snow Tha Product, Jon Connor, Mod Sun and FV signees, Jarren Benton, SwizZz, Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, DJ Hoppa on the tables all night, and of course Travis Barker. Prior to jumping on stage, the backstage area was busy as well. Though many might think it’s always one big party going on behind the scenes, it’s not that exactly. With all the guys lending a few minutes to SKEE’s new series, The Calm Before The Storm, slapping hands with familiar faces and saying cheese for photographers, it was proven there’s always work to be done even before the final assignment.

As the evening carried on and The Observatory filled up with barely any more standing room (upstairs and downstairs) with crowd favorites Mod Sun, Snow Tha Product, Jon Connor and West Coast veteran X to the Z. DJ Hoppa pumped up the crowd for the first batter up from FV – Jarren Benton. Jarren did one hell of a job as the first of the final acts not just because he jumped from one side of the stage to the other, interacting with the crowd, but he also brought out the next hitter – Dizzy Wright. The crowd seemed to get louder and louder with every song and got a hundred times more wild when Dizzy crowd surfed through the front and middle row. But it didn’t end there.

Next up was FV’s other emcee, SwizZz. As probably known as one of the most lowkey of the bunch, SwizZz didn’t act as anything close; dominating the stage and owning the crowd, it was evident that he felt right at home and Santa Ana was welcoming him with open ears. At the closing of his set, SwizZz began the chant for his next label mate, none other than, Hopsin. Face painted and suited up from the hat down to the shoes, Hop continued to feed the crowd what they came out for. However what ended up being the most notable part of his performance was when he put complete trust into the hands of his fans as he dove and had them carry him from the stage to the back of the venue, hold him up to spit a lyric or two, then help him jump to the second floor. But it didn’t stop there. Hopsin jumped from the second floor back down to the crowd! And with their assistance, made it back to the stage. Never in my life, and I could tell never in half of those fans lives, have we ever seen that be done. If fans didn’t believe they were in for a treat, they knew now.

With the night coming to an end, and the lights dimming down, whispers began to flood the air; Where was Travis Barker? Before everyone could get riled up, out came one of music’s most legendary drummers – Travis Barker. Face painted just like Hopsin, the two closed out the show bringing out the whole crew. Backstage, fans were excited to see local hometown hero, Phora from the 714 hanging with the Funk Volume family, commenting in hopes of what would be a memorable collaboration. He mentions he is planning to release his new projects, “Nights Like These” in the next few months.

Take a look at pictures from the show below and don’t forget to sign up for Funk Volume’s up-coming Hip-Hop Conference. Who knows, maybe you’ll be rocking alongside these talented guys one day and your name will be included in a review. Visit www.FunkVolumeConference.com for more details!

On behalf of Third Floor Network, a huge thank you to Dame Ritter, Brooklyn Martino, the whole Funk Volume family, Famous, and The Observatory – OC for allowing us to bring back to life this amazing bash. We’ll be back soon enough with all the great shows coming to the venue soon.