PHOTOS: Phony Ppl light up the Echoplex with those golden era of hip-hop vibes

The soft pitter-patter of cymbals plays as the crowd waits for our headliner to appear.  Love is in the air, drinks are flowing, and the blue light reflections of the Echoplex’s disco balls illuminate the dance floor.

Last week, I grabbed my significant other, trekked to Sunset Blvd., and saw a fantastic show by a group that’s gone double platinum on my personal playlist for the last eight years. 

Phony Ppl, a jazzy Hip-Hop fusion five-member band consisting of Aja Grant, Elbee Thrie, Elijah Hawk, Matt “Maffyuu” Bass, and Omar Grant, ventured back to the Echoplex after two years and filled the night with laughter, smiles, guitar riffs, and New York lingo. It was a great night in the city, full of life, love, and energy for all who came out to enjoy the show.

I love Phony Ppl’s music not only because of its jazz elements and melodic intricacies but also because it does a great job cultivating the golden era of hip-hop—that musicality and storytelling of Slum Village, Q-Tip, and Mos Def with that boom-bap, pre-gentrified Brooklyn feel. And that was precisely what was needed after a week of musical beefs and gut-wrenching headlines—those good vibes and sonically soul-nourishing moments. 

My favorite songs by Phony Ppl are  “Why I Love The Moon” and “Before You Get A Boyfriend,” but I left the show with some new favorites. “Nowhere But Up” and “On My Shit” have been playing nonstop since the show, and I am still in awe of Elijah Rawk and Omar Grant’s jam session on stage. The people need a Phony Ppl acoustic album pronto, but until then, we will have to settle for their NPR Tiny Desk performance. 

Until next time, thank you for a fantastic show. 

Photos & Words by Asha Moné

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