ON MY SOUL: BINO RIDEAUX @ THE NOVO

NAH, FORREAL. 

“You could see on my face, lost my dog, I ain’t the same

Forever we gone ball, I had to put you on my chain.”

– “HOLD IT IN”

Bino Rideaux’s OUTSIDE was right on time this summer and just what we needed to take our minds away from the global COVID pandemic. We escaped into Bino’s music. And while we escaped, if you listened closely enough, you could hear the South Central native was remedying his pains and pressures about life’s everyday struggles, being in the spotlight, and taking losses. One of those losses the city of Los Angeles felt (feels) with him is the absence of The Late GREAT Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey was Bino’s mentor, friend, and business partner. 

Losing Nipsey left an enormous void in the city’s heart. Since his death, Bino and others are helping to fill that void. By pouring back into the city what they’ve lost — hope. Bino has made sure to keep the All Money In x TMC legacy mantra forefront as he continues his marathon. 

 “We just embrace the only life we know, If it was me, I’d tell you ‘Nigga, live yo life and grow.” 

– Nipsey Hussle “Racks In The Middle”

With a lit torch, Bino embarked on his first cross-country tour with the city on his back and the hood on his soul. And Home Grown Radio was there to see it unfold. 

OPENERS:

Bino brought out the city, city. Fans poured into the Novo. While waiting for curtain you could hear fans betting on surprise guests, mentioning songs they hoped artists were going to perform, and raving about the previous night’s show. With a stacked roster, excitement was at an all-time high. 

Then, Crystal the DJ cracked off the show. Thee babe immediately drew the crowd in with her song selections, about repping the city we’re so proud of. She also gave a taste of her alluring dance moves, giving the perfect balance of hood, bougie, and ratchet. The type of DJ who can spin any function! Also showing why she’s a Clippers hype girl.

Crystal gave us her high energy that set the tone for Airplane James & Sham1016. The two LA natives raced out on stage performing “Internet Bangers” from Sham’s recently released project Everybody’s Enemy. They rapped strategically dressed in their merchandise from each of their recent releases (pictured below). Following the lead track, Airplane James and Sham engaged the audience, dividing the room between two sides: The Eastside & The Westside. Which is a representation of themselves (Airplane James, East; Sham, West). The Eastside & Westside came back together for “Mean It.” & Although the track originally features KB Vaugh & Cheyenne Wright, Airplane James came through with the perfect assist for his bro. 

NOTE: APJ & Sham are fresh blood to the industry but they’re not new to the stage. Their paired and individual stage performance is seasoned. It’s safe to say that these two were prepared for this opportunity. 

Then, without interlude Crystal The DJ mixed in Lloyd’s “I Want You” instrumental featuring Sham. He busted out a killer freestyle that I still need tahday! Here, Sham1016 showcased the type of artist he is and why he has a mic. His freestyle flowed right into “Impress Me,” APJ & Sham’s known collaboration. The crowd sang along. Reinforcing that the city is on the pulse of talent in their backyard. And if you’re hot, they’re ready to ride. 

Problem354 also joined in following the echo of the Diamond Lane tag. He opened with a bassless version of “Like Whaaat” until the chorus where he, James, Sham & Crystal all went crazy on stage! It was notably pleasing to see Problem give his cosign live to APJ as he is the first signee to Chachi’s Diamond Lane Music Group. #Gang.

APJ & Sham closed out their set with APJ’s takeoff hit “100 Bandz.” The track that’s making him a name to remember. With the utmost energy, APJ & Sham went out with a bang. Add it up!

Next up, LA natives Sn00py Harvard & King Brainz took the stage. Sn00py & Brainz are affiliated to Bino and Coot Corleone. Hence their opportunity to present to the city. Sn00py performed two songs from his Harvard University project.

DJ Cheeseburger, self-proclaimed fattest sexy nigga ever seen had the next set. Cheese opened with something near, dear, and familiar. He had the room belting out Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk.” You can imagine how that went. Even Crystal came back out to orchestrate the vibes. Then Cheese went two for two with T-Pain’s “I Can’t Believe It.” 

Cheeseburger wrapped the T-Pain vibe, then paused set. He requested the control booth to turn off the stage lights. Calling for the crowd to light up the stage with their phones. It was fitting as Compton’s Princess Azjah came out, performing “Spotlight” from her debut project Princess Diaries. She followed it up with her verse on “Ventilation” (ft. Snoop Dogg, RJ & $tupid Young). 

Azjah’s set took us through her projects, leading up to her career hit. She followed “Ventilation” with “Don’t Hit Me,” a triumphant track dedicated to her grind. & her “On A Mission” performance strengthened that context.

Midway through her set Azjah slowed down the tempo to tell her “True Story.” All stage lights were turned off. Azjah sat on a stool in the middle of the stage with only a phone flashlight to illuminate her. She took a stripped-down approach which brought forth her essence. 

The Princess of Compton couldn’t leave the building without performing “Time For It.” And of course, the city went UP! To top it off, we even got treated with unreleased music. Azjah closed with a snippet of “What These Bitches Want From A Nigga,” a forthcoming single. 

DJ Cheeseburger stayed on the scene and kept the vibes going. The room rebirthed new energy when he dropped Tee Grizley’s “First Day Out.” Whew! 

The stage was prepped for young boss Coot Corleone. Coot worked the stage with his thug-style delivering his opener, “Outro.” Following, Coot delivered a sleuth of his top singles from his most recent bodies of work: UNNOTICED & Different from the Rest. His list included: “Coccy Coot,” “On Yo Head,” “The Crip On You,” “Ain’t Shit Changed,” “I Love,” “Virus” & “She’s Mine Too.” Coot also delivered newer singles in rotation, “Keep It 100,” “Vibe You Out” & “Black Mercedes.” No word yet on if they’ll live on a forthcoming project. 

Next, DJ Vision set up his hardware. Vision wasted no time. He hopped on the mic reppin’ the West Coast and reminded us that we came for a turn-up. He drove us right into the driveway of Ratchet Central. Litty! Vision spun all the West Coast ass shakers from YG, Too $hort, Travis Porter, 03 Greedo, and back. He made damn sure we had a West Coast party. And you know it wasn’t official until he made the crowd get their walk on. 

NOTE: The comradery between the DJs as they handed off their sets was notable and pleasing. Not sure if it was planned or coincidental but each of their sets played off one another. It goes to show that the fellowship that has been growing on the West Coast music scene surpasses just the artists. 

BINO:

Finally, Bino Rideaux made his entrance. The man of the hour was accompanied on stage by his good friends, dancer Storm DeBarge and Youtuber/hype-man Exavier TV. Bino opened and turned us up with “Bet,” “Beep Beep” & a snippet of “Beginning To The End” (ft. Blxst). Bino also got close and personal with the ladies on “This That” as he went into the crowd. 

After his warm up Bino took a moment to honor his big bro Nipsey Hussle. Prompting “Different.” A track that speaks to the lifestyle he lives now. Partly due to Nipsey’s cosign that widened the doors. From there, Bino gave us the tour’s title track “On My Soul.”

It made complete sense as to why it’s the tour’s title. Bino is now the big homie with enough notoriety and resources to shine a light on those around him while climbing to the top. The hood is in him, not on him. Meaning he understands that he is an extension and representation of the future of the culture. As well as his guests. If the city sticks together, there’s no way we can lose. The proof is in the puddin’. And there’s room for everybody!

NOTE: “On My Soul” debuted in 2018, but the lyrics still hit the same today.

Bino’s following segment sequence narrated his music career and growth since the pandemic. He let off a heavy roster of hits from the Sixtape series (ft. Blxst). The series’ delivery sparked new hope and inspiration in the city. The torch had been picked up. 

We heard  “Bacc Home,” “Selfish,” “Savage,” “Wake It Up,” “Time,” “Might Do Well,” “Program,” “She Perfect,” “Accountable,” “Hate How Much” & “Pop Out.” And although Blxst wasn’t there to perform (because he’s wrapped his own tour) the West Coast love transcended. 

BINO & FRIENDS: 

Bino also brought out a few of his homies from the city. Starting with the grounded Casey Veggies. Bino and Casey gave us their collaboration “Miss It” & Casey stayed around to do a “Back Flip.”

Next order of West Coast business, Jayson Cash. Who was actually requested by a fan in the crowd (see video). Cash came out to woo her with his latest single “Priority,” a west coast love story (ft. Blxst). 

Bino swung right back into the turn-up with Coot Coreolone to administer “High Fashion,” where he and Coot gave us more dance moves.

And of course Bino’s homie/bro Kalan Fr.Fr. got his spotlight. He came out “Scoring,” — a biggg hit in LA. The response in energy matched. So was the love on stage. Remember, Kalan & Bino are locked in before the music. Kalan was also a bridge between Bino and Blxst’s power connection.

The Blue Bucks Clan finally stepped into the mix, taking us to “BREAKFAST” in the hood and on a “Creep” mission with Bino. And they even administered their slapper “Walk In.”

Appearances continued with Drakeo Tha Ruler, giving his verse from “Incredible.” 

Bino went back into his files with ”NOBODY,” a town favorite, “Bozo” and MISMATCH” — which is actually Bino’s favorite song from OUTSIDE, which is why it was dubbed the tour’s drink special (pictured below). 

The surprising guest roster lengthened with Roddy Rich. He and Bino performed their fresh release “Lemme Find Out.” It was the second time they’d performed the Billboard Hot 100 track together. (The prior night was the first.) Trailing their hit, Roddy took the stage solo and kept us up “Late At Night.” He continued to tug on our heartstrings with “Racks In The Middle.” 

Nipsey Hussle’s entire first verse played out on its own. Everyone in the room with air in their lungs belted out his words. It felt like we were all paying a collective and individual tribute to the late GREAT Hussle Man with a psalm — his psalm. 

NOTE: This was a special moment for Roddy and Bino to honor Nipsey together. Nipsey gave both of them their cosigns early on in their careers. And now, they’re reaping the fruits from seeds Nipsey guided them to plant. Nipsey psalms continued with “Checc Me Out,” where Cobby Supreme hopped in to assist with his verse. Making it sound how it looks. & All Money In affiliate BH also popped out for Nipsey’s “1 of 1.” Which is exactly what Nipsey is. 

After Nipsey’s tribute, Cobby took a minute to shine, performing his latest single “Section 8,” from Street Legend. 

Bino took back the stage solo to close out with “PITFALL” “Bother You,” & “Big Boy.” Bino thanked the crowd for coming and walked out to Nipsey Hussle’s “Last Time That I Checc’d.”

NOTE: “Bother You” & “Big Boy” live on Bino’s Sorry For The Wait EP — the project that was supposed to predate his On My Soul debut album. But we got OUTSIDE instead. Maybe “Lemme Find Out” is the first single from his debut album coming after the tour? We’ll see. Until then, run it up!

#StayHomeGrown