Touring Hip Hop concert “The Reset” is set to play The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, MI (June 4, 2022, at 8PM), and it’s certain to be a memorable occasion.
Starring iconic MC and visual artist El Da Sensei of Artifacts and acclaimed artist and film maker Sixman, “The Reset” will also see performances by Manchild, Aztek The Barfly, Alfie Da Great, group D.E.S., a collection of B-Boys, and DJs Monk, ILL One, and Seven Eightz.
Residing in Atlanta but a native of Grand Rapids, Sixman is excitedly returning to his roots following his well-received 3-day homecoming event “Return of the Boom Bap” in February 2022. Flexing the success of his LP ‘The Fix’ and “The Fix Tour”, Sixman’s set will include selections from his catalog including new LP ‘The Lux’.
This show marks New Jersey native EL Da Sensei’s first ever performance in Grand Rapids in his 30-year career. Attendees can expect the beloved wordsmith to perform world renowned anthem “Wrong Side Of Da Tracks”, classic single “C’Mon Wit da Git Down”, and favorites “Everyday In The Street”, “Crowd Pleasa”, and “Rule & Rock”.
El Da Sensei and Sixman took a moment out of their busy travel schedules to speak with THISENT about “The Reset”, its underlining meaning, and greater importance of live shows. THIS is for YOU!
Reset means a fresh start. What is this the beginning of for you?
El Da Sensei: The reset is a start of what used to be. Being free, free to be live and in person. Good vibes all around to be able to go in as if we’re back to business and in every way possible.
Sixman: Reset for me means a fresh start. Like hitting an actual reset but a do over. A chance to do it bigger and better on the same levels which we started.
What can be expected from your performance?
Sixman: What you can expect from my performance is a chance to see an artist from the city’s true growth in Hip Hop. I want people who are familiar with my history to be able to see the song that started it for me in Grand Rapids, which is “Who Am I”, and the chance to witness me and El rock classics live in a city where it all started for me.
El Da Sensei: You can expect lyrical fireworks and stage presence that will keep the crowd engaged. This in my first show in Grand Rapids so I’m mostly excited to see the people and give them the best of what I can give.
What are you excited to see from everyone else?
El Da Sensei: Energy.
Sixman: I’m excited to see all the artists on this line up. Real Hip Hop cats in the building I love it. Excited to see what Manchild brings on a full set and what Aztek and D.E.S crew will bring.
Why is it important for audience engagement to start before they enter the venue?
Sixman: It’s always important for audience engagement. I always want my community of Grand Rapids to feel special anytime I come to town and personally do things. I like to bring events home that make us all feel a part of the culture.
El Da Sensei: Whether online or in person, you want these people to know what they’re about to get into. We want them to expect the most and nothing lesser.
As an artist you want them to have the feeling of excitement before they even buy the tickets. They know it’s going to be explosions. It’s like going to see ‘John Wick’. You know what you’re getting just from the rumors and trailers. You know what’s coming. Kill, kill, kill. That is us on stage.
Sixman: Absolutely right.
Consider for a moment all the ups and downs of our society currently. With that in mind, why is a live hip hop show like The Reset such a valuable stabilizer?
El Da Sensei: Right now, we all need a release. A damn break. And what better way to do it than with ill lyrics and beats to get the aggression out. Give those people what they remember in a live set. A reminder of what used to be even if we’re making the long hard climb back up.
Sixman: The Reset is a valuable stabilizer in this time because it allows a chance for others. Not only do I or EL or other legendary artists that will be involved have the chance to uplift through the power of our type of Hip Hop, but it gives a chance to other artists like who seen in Atlanta, like in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and now in Grand Rapids as well.
It gives power to the independent artists around the world as we come through. To me that’s the most important.
What do want everyone to carry away from the show in their mind, heart, and spirit?
El Da Sensei: I want them to know we care. We care about the fans who do want to see that live shit. I hope they feel like we gave our all to please them and let them know we feel what they feel when we exert that energy to them and they give it back.
Sixman: I would like everyone to walk away feeling like, you know what, that was us up there. That is us around the world, meaning us Grand Rapids. I want the hearts to feel like I understood, I felt I connected, we are loved again meaning the community of Grand Rapids. I want them to be taken back to a time in the city we all remember. I want the talk to be it was good vibes and good memories. | THIS ENT
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
