Several Grand Rapids hip hop artists performed for fans Saturday at Van Andel Arena, an exuberant, milestone halftime show that included a new Grand Rapids Gold anthem. The back story at Local Spins.
Collaborative Spectacle: Grand Rapids hip-hop artists combined forces for a memorable halftime performance. (Photo/Carlos Coleman)
The Grand Rapids Gold can now brandish an inspiring “Gold Gym” anthem and Grand Rapids’ hip-hop scene has another impressive feather in its cap.
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The creme de la creme of Grand Rapids’ hip-hop scene took center stage Saturday during the Grand Rapids Gold’s game against the Wisconsin Herd at Van Andel Arena — a milestone moment that electrified the arena, celebrating both the city’s music community and the realization of lifelong dreams for the performing artists.
At halftime, Sonny Ski, Gwopped Up $peedy and Lady Ace Boogie (standing in for Jaleeyna) performed the single, “Grand Rapids, MI,” backed by live band BedRock The Foundation, with Sonny Ski’s father, Joe Botwinski, on keys.
Ajax Stacks and Steven Malcolm, meanwhile, regaled fans with their new single, “Gold Gym” — the new anthem for the pro basketball team in the NBA’s G League and a song being played during Grand Rapids Gold home games. Stacks called the collaboration “a feel-good story highlighting local talent, city pride and the connection between music and sports in Grand Rapids.”
For faith-driven hip-hop star Steven Malcolm, a Grand Rapids native, performing at Van Andel Arena stands as a career milestone.
Steven Malcolm (Photo/Carlos Coleman)
“As an artist, the arena is the pinnacle,” he said. “This is Van Andel Arena, it’s smack dab in the middle of the city. It really feels like a box checked off, not just for myself, but for how I’m perceived in the city.” Watching other artists perform for the first time also made the moment special. “I had a smile the whole time. I know what they’re feeling right now. They can drive by here and say, ‘I rocked that venue.’”
Lady Ace Boogie, who stepped in at the 11th hour for Jaleeyna, said performing at the arena reflected her deep connection to Grand Rapids. “Grand Rapids is my favorite city in the world,” she said. “I say I’m based in Grand Rapids because this is my city. It means the world to be included.”
For Sonny Ski, performing at Van Andel Arena was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. “I used to say I was going to be at Van Andel Arena and nobody believed it,” he said. “To see it actually happen just confirms it for me. Anything is possible.” His father, Joe Botwinski, echoed the pride of the moment. “It’s awesome. I wouldn’t wish anything more for my kid than to start in the city he’s from and play the biggest venue.”
Noted Gwopped Up $peedy: “I’ve been rapping about performing at Van Andel for a long time. For it to manifest and come to fruition, it still doesn’t even feel real. This is about opening doors and putting the culture forward. … This opens doors for the next generation in Grand Rapids. We had rappers, singers, Lady Ace Boogie, Steven Malcolm, the band, photographers, Mock Visuals, Rap Roots Media, Risky Business, dancers. Everyone contributed. There’s no gatekeeping. People were standing up and invested. Scoob helped make this dream happen, and seeing all this come together is crazy.”
With live instrumentation, multi-artist collaboration, and high-energy performances, the halftime show highlighted the evolution of Grand Rapids’ hip-hop scene.
“To finally make it happen with the Grand Rapids brand and the whole community out, it’s dope,” said Stacks. “It shows our hip-hop community is growing alongside the city.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Steven Malcolm, Ajax Stacks at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Carlos Coleman
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