Genius Bars

What comes to mind when you think of the word “genius?" Is it Ye’s latest hijinks? Is it Albert Einstein and whatever it was he said about relativity? Maybe it’s your baby cousin who just skipped kindergarten. Well, I’ll tell you what comes to my mind: party! That’s right, a party, and not just any ol’ party, a genius party. THEE Genius Party — a homegrown meeting of the musical minds, one that aims to melt your perception of who or what constitutes the makeup of a genius.

At this particular shindig — the brainchild of a few of the 919's best and brightest producers, including Ace Dizzy Flow, AmpurSand, Millie Vaughn, Strizzy, Professor X, Epic Rell and LD Beats — “genius” isn’t a word used to signify one’s ability to solve a math problem, or build a combustion engine, but rather to interpret sonics into beautiful musical compositions. Now I know that sounded like a lot, but walk with me… 

The word "genius" is defined as: “an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc.” As you can see, music itself is in the definition, so I’d say the name fits perfectly. Now, let’s get you inside the party. 

The Genius Party recently entered its second year of activity, having already become a staple within the area’s revitalized post-COVID music scene. It’s hosted everything from producer showcases, to beat battles, to beatmaking workshops — all producer-centric, beatmaker-friendly, and welcoming of all ages. This past weekend’s installment (Genius Party 24) was a producer showcase, with some billed acts repping for North Carolina and others traveling from as far away as Chicago. Aiming to become a full-fledged conglomerate of producers, GP’s organizers don’t just stick to what’s in the immediate area — they bring in out-of-town acts too, in hopes of forming an unbreakable chain of creatives. 

The show was opened by Rene — a beatmaker from the beach city of Wilmington who hosts a similar showcase back home called Beats & Coffee — kicking off the night with a collection of ethereal numbers that could definitely score any midnight drive or pleasant descent into oblivion. At some point in the set, a Larry June flip was dropped and I ascended. I’d say Beats and Coffee may have gained a new attendee out of me. Next came Yenshin, an artistic jack-of-all-trades, who’s music gives the impression that the entire Three 6 Mafia must be distant relatives. Never have I wanted to visit Memphis more than I did while listening to Yenshin’s set, and he’s not even from there — I heard he’s a Florida native turned Carolina resident. Either way, I’m here for it, so expect a Project Pat placement in Yenshin’s near future. I’m calling it now. 

To say that the party moves in acts would be an accurate and astute observation: after Yenshin came the final set piece of the night’s first chapter, and another example of the scope of genius. Rapper Alex Aff took the stage, backed by his fellow collaborator, DJ and producer, DJ DCM. Aff is what I’d call a purveyor of life, hailing from the Bull City, or “Durm,” as we call it ‘round these parts. His songs tell of the trials and triumphs he faces as an independent artist, a headstrong individual and a black man in America. Throughout the set, we learned about his feelings towards life, love and longing for success — which some would say he’s already achieved, being that he’s coming upon the 12th project release of his lengthy career. Sounds like a helluva run to me. 

After that trip to the vocal artist side of things, we headed back into the realm of the producer for the second act of Genius Party 24, with a producer by the name of Fuhhrare coming all the way from the DMV. The energy was already high before he started, but you know things are reaching fever pitch when Watty, another Durham emcee declares, “Oh, it’s time to start the cypher!” And that’s exactly what happened. 

In-between flips of Ye’s “Get ‘Em High” and Kid Cudi’s “Mojo So Dope” came the true testament of a fire instrumental: “can it be rapped on?” I don’t know if Fuhhrare came expecting to meet future collaborators, but I’m sure that he left with a few more contacts in his phone. After the electrifying set came yet another, this time Chicago’s Backpack Beats, who’s pieces ironically sounded more like they came straight from the movie screen than the place I used to keep my comic books. We were even blessed with an exclusive track featuring none other than the legendary GhostFace Killah and Ye. Yes… you read that right: Backpack Beats played a track he produced for THEE Ghostface Killah and THEE Kanye West. Spoiled isn’t even the right word to use for how we were treated on a Sunday night in Raleigh — happy campers all around. 

Last up was the final act of the night and the conclusion of act two: 919 rapper-extraordinaire Tesh, who I believe is the living embodiment of the phrase, “a vibe.” As she effortlessly gave the crowd a performance fitting of a closer, we were given a snippet of her newest single to drop, “OTW,” a bouncy track about knowing who you are and where you’re going, featuring another local talent, Yea. Ending a set with smiling faces is the goal of most performers, and Tesh didn’t leave a single face unfazed. 

Organizers wrapped the night with the event’s signature group photo, inviting performers and audience members alike to inscribe the momentous happening into our memories in unison. Clenched cheeks and pearly whites adorned the outside patio area of House of Art — a perfect portrait of community through the arts. Things weren’t all just “smile and dip” though. After the group picture came the open aux, the proving ground for hopeful spectators. Well into the night, right before the venue’s closing, a hodgepodge of production styles poured into the air as those who had just been there to listen were given the opportunity to showcase — and boy did they show off. 

If you happened to be in Moore Square Park, just across the street, I’m sure you found yourself freestyling just a bit… or alot.

BrassiousMonk is a producer, rapper and songwriter hailing from Raleigh, NC. He’s spent extensive time assisting in the growth of the NC music scene through his independent label, BrassExpansion, which releases projects and produces concerts specifically around the Triangle area. He can be found on Instagram at @monkbrass.