As the lights dimmed in Goldstein Auditorium, Syracuse University’s Black Reign Step Team took the stage. They were opening for Wednesday night’s performers at the Bandersnatch concert series, hosted by University Union.
Their dance routine opened with Valee’s song “Womp Womp.” They then transitioned to a set with no background music, only dancing to the rhythm of the claps of their hands and the stomps of their feet.
At 8 p.m., Melii’s DJ played Kodak Black’s “Roll In Peace” before Melii graced the stage. She opened with her song “Sh*t Talk” as more people filed into the auditorium. The Harlem rapper engaged with the minimal audience — no more than 200 people — encouraging everyone to dance.
“It’s cold outside. I didn’t come here to just stand around,” she said before she began dancing.
Melii’s act was met with enthusiastic cheers as she performed her song “Como Si Na.” After performing her hit song “Icey,” she transitioned to covers of other hip-hop songs, ending with “Drip Too Hard” by Gunna and Lil Baby.
“I don’t want to leave,” she said, giggling, when her allotted time was up.
Her performance was followed by Chicago-based rapper Valee, who opened with his hit song “Womp Womp.”
A larger crowd began to form at the base of the stage as he played “I Got Whatever,” hyping up the crowd. He paced back and forth across the stage during his set, eventually performing the song “Vlone.”
“If you love Valee put your v’s in the air,” his DJ said, forming a “v” shape with his fingers. The lights then shut off and the audience lit up the auditorium and stage with their phone flashlights for the duration of the song.
The rapper played “Womp Womp” a second time before closing with “Miami” as people head banged and danced up against the barricade.
“I try not to sound like anything I’ve heard,” he said. Valee said he grew up listening to music from Cash Money and 2 Chainz, which influenced his music style.
He said he hopes to work with the rapper Rocko or artists such as Jill Scott or FKA Twigs, although that would “be a long shot.”
Valee has a new project coming out in December, he said, as well as a potential one in January — saying his goal is just to keep putting out music.
With graphics for his newest album “Squidtastic” playing on the screen behind him, headliner SahBabii performed “Tall” as the crowd cheered. The rapper transitioned into his song “Purple Ape,” which the crowd sang along to, and was later met with cheers as he played “Sunny Days.”
“I wanna be your boyfriend,” SahBabii sang as his song “Boyfriend” began to play. Many in the crowd head bobbed to the song while fans sang the words. He brought out his brother, rapper T3, to perform with him as well.
SahBabii, who grew up in Chicago and moved to Atlanta, said the blend of the cities’ two sounds influence his music.
“Atlanta has a lot of swag and Chicago is more hard-core,” he said. “I just mix those two together.”
The song “Anime World,” also the name of his tour, played. It was followed by the closing song, his hit “Pull Up Wit Ah Stick.”
SahBabii said his next album “Wolverine” is currently in the works.
As the lights slowly rose to brighten the auditorium, some people stayed by the barricade in hopes of meeting the performers and some left chatting to one another.
“Thanks for coming,” said UU staff members stationed at the door, as another year of Bandersnatch came to a close.
Photos by Gavin Liddell | Staff Photographer
Published on November 15, 2018 at 4:49 am
Contact Gavin: gwliddel@syr.edu
