I pull up into the Hiney's parking lot, and I'm greeted by Jesus Reyes, CEO of Golden Rule Records. A flash of a warm smile and we step inside. I glance around and see about eight people, six of whom are warming seats at the bar. Little by little, people start showing up. Then the show begins. Dutch and Dok are first to perform. A rap duo from Las Cruces, their words had the small crowd nodding their heads to the beats while they sipped their beers and ate their wings. Both brought great charisma to the stage, easily switching from hard hitting rap to laid back hip-hop. Dok gave more action and excitement on stage, while Dutch seemed a little nervous and stiff. Towards the end, both were on the same page and gave a heart-thumping performance, though the crowd was not much for crowd participation. After about a ten minute break, Awar and Icon the Mic King take the stage. The crowd has about twenty people; most are sitting in booths talking to each other.
Icon introduced himself and Awar to the crowd, and in minutes, had the crowd around the stage with hands in the air, heads nodding, and bodies swaying with his intricate words. Both Awar and Icon gave good deliverance, and had the crowd participating through their whole performance. Even after spending eight hours on a plane, Awar and Icon had so much energy, and the crowd so pumped, it felt as if it were a packed house. Icon has a style all his own, and is very different from the Fresh Prince sound from Philadelphia. Awar's style is smooth, yet hard, and can talk to anyone who can feel a beat in their body. Straight from New York, with a voice that commands attention and keeps it. Towards the end of the performance, Awar and Icon gave the crowd a special treat. Icon blindfolded himself as Awar announced that Icon was going to freestyle blindfolded, and asked the crowd to bring up items without saying what they were. Icon proceeded to hold the items in one hand, and the mic in the other, and deciphered every single item, including the dismantled puzzle ring I handed up on stage. At the end of the show, Icon and Awar said their thanks, and gave their gratitude to El Paso for the love and support, and the crowd shouted out in unison, "ENCORE!"
Icon and Awar obliged and gave the crowd an even more heart-thumping, head-nodding, fist-pumping performance than before.
- Malice
