bb’s bonanza Charity Fest 2024 at the Malkin Bowl in Vancouver, BC – Review

On May 26, Vancouver’s hip-hop artist bbno$ hosted a special hometown show at the Malkin Bowl with all his friends, under the banner of bb’s bonanza. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.

Despite the rain and somewhat cold temperature for the end of May, everyone was in high spirit and the venue filled out quickly with a sea of fans donning their rain jackets and mud-ready Blunstones, ready to party for over 5 hours. The stage was adorned with props reminding everyone of a medieval fair. LARP games were available for folks who wanted to immerse themselves in the universe.

The lineup featured established and up-and-coming artists: Jungle Bobby, Eric Reprid, Haviah Mighty, Joost Klein, Freddie Dredd, Yung Gravy, Baby Gravy and finally bbno$.

Check out our full gallery of the night on our Facebook page!

Jungle Bobby

Vancouver artist Jungle Bobby, who had joined bbno$ on the road for many years, started the day. In Bobby‘s own words on what the audience can expect from his sets: “They can expect flair. They can expect cinematic behavior. They can expect fun, just a really good time filled with love. They can expect to feel better leaving the show compared to when they walked in. They can expect good music and they can expect to dance.” And that’s exactly what he delivered! With his bouncy energy and colourful outfit, he was the perfect act to open the fest.

Eric Reprid

Up next was Canadian rapper Eric Reprid, aka Shi Yi Lu. Reprid releases all his music copyright-free, allowing anyone to use it in mixtapes, parties, YouTube, or TikTok videos, as long as they credit him. This generous approach has saved content creators money and increased his exposure. His song “Cold World” from the album of the same name was nominated for a Juno Award in 2021, making him the only completely independent artist in the category, although he didn’t win. The song’s catchy tune and Reprid‘s smooth delivery, combined with producer Marc Wavy’s versatile beats, rival those of major label artists. His sense of humour definitely carried through his set: “If you know the words of this song, don’t sing-along. It’s my song!”

Haviah Mighty

The only woman of the line-up was Haviah Mighty, a Canadian rapper from Brampton, ON. Haviah Mighty brought her dynamic energy to the stage where she performed tracks from her Juno-nominated album Stock Exchange. She showcased her swagger, flow, stage presence, and insightful rhymes. Her performance was both entertaining and enlightening. Haviah Mighty, already noted as a rising star in Canadian hip hop since her debut 13th Floor won the Polaris Music Prize in 2019, lived up to her reputation as one-to-watch.

Joost

Joost Klein, also known simply as Joost, is a Dutch rapper, singer, and content creator renowned for his eclectic musical style and humorous persona. His tracks blend elements of hip hop, pop, and electronic music with witty, often satirical lyrics. His breakout came with the single “Scandinavian Boy,” which showcased his unique approach to music and humor. He delivered an energetic performance and showcased his distinctive style. As expected, he performed his Eurovision 2024 song “Europapa” under the cheers of the crowd, as well as a new song in Dutch. Throughout the whole set, Joost was jumping all over the stage, repeatedly screaming “Canada!” in his mic – his way of showing appreciation for being here. bbno$ even made a quick appearance running across the stage with a Dutch flag.

Freddie Dredd

Freddie Dredd, aka Ryan Mitchel Chassels, is a Canadian rapper, producer, and internet personality hailing from Oshawa, Ontario. Known for his dark, gritty style and blending of hip-hop with horrorcore elements, Dredd has carved out a unique niche in the underground rap scene. His music often features lo-fi beats, eerie samples, and lyrics that explore themes of violence and the macabre, setting him apart with a distinctive sound. Despite his unconventional style, Freddie Dredd‘s music has achieved significant success, resonating with fans who appreciate his raw and unapologetic approach. His work continues to grow in popularity, marking him as a significant figure in the evolution of modern hip-hop.

Yung Gravy

Then came Young Gravy, an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his humorous lyrics and catchy beats. Hailing from Rochester, Minnesota, Young Gravy gained popularity in the late 2010s with his single “Mr. Clean” – that he obviously performed that night – and unique blend of hip-hop, trap, and vintage samples, often incorporating elements of soul and old-school music into his tracks. Young Gravy‘s music often features witty, irreverent lyrics that blend modern rap with nostalgic references, making him a distinctive figure in the hip-hop scene. His discography includes popular projects like “Snow Cougar” and “Sensational,” which have helped him amass a dedicated fan base and millions of streams. His charismatic stage presence and engaging performances set him apart and solidify his place as a rising star in contemporary hip-hop.

Baby Gravy

As the second-to-last act, Yung Gravy and bbno$ joined forces as Baby Gravy. The duo, already on their 3rd album, met 8 years ago through SoundCloud. Both put on a great show and got the fans jumping, dancing and singing-along every tracks. The duo performed their most notable songs like “Welcome to Chilis” and “Whip A Tesla”. They even brought back Freddie Dredd on stage for one song.

bbno$

bbno$, aka Alexander Leon Gumuchian, closed the night, dressed a court jester. The Vancouverite rapper, singer, and songwriter is known for his catchy, upbeat music and humorous, laid-back lyrical style. He first gained recognition in the late 2010s through the viral success of his collaborative singles and innovative use of social media platforms like TikTok.
His breakthrough came with the hit single “Lalala,” a collaboration with producer Y2K, which became a global sensation and amassed hundreds of millions of streams. bbno$‘s music often blends elements of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, characterized by playful beats and witty, self-referential lyrics. bbno$ has built a dedicated fanbase and established himself as a prominent figure in the modern music scene.
He delivered a high-energy live performance that captivated audiences with his charismatic presence and infectious beats. With his playful and humorous lyrics, he engaged the crowd with a mix of witty banter and dynamic stage antics. He even brought a sword swallower on stage! He performed his new single “lil’ freak”, as well as many fan favourites like “Edamame”.

Overall, it was an evening of great tunes for a worthy cause, with a great line-up of many indie artists. As bbno$ pointed out, they all performed for free in order to give as much of the proceeds to the Vancouver Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Hints were dropped during the night that this might be the 1st edition of many Bonanza. We can’t wait for next year!

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer