SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Dozens of rappers, musicians and visual artists shared work at the Raven Pub last week. The downtown club hosted a hip hop night on Thursday, Aug. 26, and a concert and art exhibition on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Rappers Josh Sayong, a.k.a. Adonis, and Rohan Robertson, a.k.a. Roh Riddla, opened the hip hop night at the Raven Pub on Thursday, Aug. 26. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

Throughout the summer, Bar manager Mike Enns has scheduled a steady stream of live entertainment, including the Celtic punk of Flaherty's Wake, the classic surf rock of Los Flacos Locos, and the Old Town hillbilly folk of The Dawgwoods.

"It's been a huge success," Enns said. "We've been very happy with the quality of entertainment for sure. Every band seems to bring a different fan base. We have brought in a lot of new faces and some old faces we haven't seen in awhile."

Last week's hip hop night was the first public event independently organized by Gorgeous Boy Academy, a diverse collective of Yellowknife rappers who began collaborating together earlier this year. The event packed the venue early on Thursday evening.

"It was a little bit of an eye opener," Enns said. "I had no idea the scene was that big. They were very organized. We'll definitely be looking at doing another rap and hip hop night."

The rappers recorded the event as a success, as well.

"It was a crazy amount of fun," said rapper Mikey Ayiku. a.k.a. Young Mic. "We had a blast."

In addition to solo appearances, Ayiku rapped as a member of Pilot Society alongside rappers Rohan Robertson, a.k.a. Roh Riddla, and Jabulani Rukobo, a.k.a. Sunny Khlid.

Nell Lamvu, a.k.a. Apollo, emceed the night, which also featured performances by Alex Wahshee, a.k.a. Authentic Copacetic, Josh Sayong, a.k.a. Adonis, Graham King, a.k.a. Kretz, and Chad Malouin, a.k.a. Billy Bangarang.

"I don't think it could have gone any better," Malouin said. "I'm really really proud of the direction that our whole group is going in. We're just getting started. (Hip hop) is the new movement for music in Yellowknife and we're glad that we're part of it."

The music concert and art exhibition last Saturday night was also well attended.

"Everyone appeared to have a good time," said co-organizer Casey Koyczan. "There was some good, fast music being played."

Bands in the lineup included The Beat Officers, Booze Cruise, and Gundeathren, a new metal rock band made up of guitarist TJ Buggins and Chris Mikus with drummer Myles Simba.

Visual artists who shared work at the event included Aidan Cartwright, Jenn Hamann, Charlotte Overvold, Violsa Memdi and Ian Vaydik. Several artists sold work throughout the night.

Enns purchased a black light painting by Koyczan.

Enns said the Raven is taking a break from live shows this weekend, but added that more live entertainment will be scheduled every couple of weeks throughout the fall and winter.

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