Kent-based reggae band Tropidelic and Athens hip hop act Doxcity to take stage at Casa.
Don’t be surprised to see a converted school bus on the streets of Athens this week. No, Ms. Frizzle is not in town. Instead, Kent, Ohio band Tropidelic is set to bring its own brand of magic to the stage of Casa tonight.
Tropidelic is a funk-jam band with a reggae twist. Its members are Bobby Chronic, James Beggin, Tim Younessi, Amph Fritz, Matthew Roads, Grayson Latimore and Derek McBryde, hailing from various towns in Ohio. The show will also feature Athens hip-hop act Doxcity starting at 10:30 p.m.
Tropidelic initially gained a local fan base from their first EP Rebirth of The Dope, a free, homegrown production distributed by hand on campuses and street corners alike in Kent.
“We just handed them out to people,” Chronic said. “And I think people really respected that. … It definitely made people more prone to actually listen.”
The band eventually relocated to Cleveland and began to garner opening sets for big name acts such as 311, Pepper, Dirty Heads and Slightly Stoopid. Their second EP Erie Vibes and Irie Tides has enjoyed regular radio airplay. Tropidelic’s sound has evolved considerably since their formative DIY release, incorporating hand percussion and a horn section.
“I’d describe it as ‘funky reggae circus,’ ” said Roads, lead singer for the group. “It’s just a blend of everything and has elements of rock, hip-hop and funk. We have our third release coming out in the Spring and are currently on track for about 80 shows or more this year. All in our trusty school bus.”
Doxcity is a two-man hip-hop act from Athens. The group, comprised of rapper Daniel Martino and producer/rapper Selfish Presley has been recording since 2005. Their music contains a rapid pulse, political musings and a style akin to underground hip-hop acts like Atmosphere and Sage Francis.
“Selfish can’t make it, unfortunately,” Martino said. “So I’ll be backed by the UnorthoDox band, and the (Brick City Dance Crew) will be breaking it down on the stage and the dance floor. It’s definitely going to be on that next level."
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