SCRATCH BACK: Rahim Samad on the ones and twos in 2010. Credit: Nicole Kibert/elawgrrl.com
On paper, experimental electro-industrial duo Afterworld and classic Tampa rapper Rahim Samad look like strange bedfellows, but the acts have been rubbing elbows at shows for a decade-and-a-half.

Samad used to play shows at Bob Suren’s famed Sound Idea record shop in Brandon, a punk-rock haven where Suren opened the door to him. Carson “(Cox) and Justin (Garcia) are from that scene,” Samad told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, adding that he played shows with Cox’s band Merchandise before it signed to 4AD Records, along with Divisions, another band featuring Cox and Garcia.

They proceeded to share countless bills at local DIY spots (Heinrich’s, Unit 19, house shows), and the friendship continues when the bands play a no-cover gig as part of the “Title Match” wrestling-themed art show opening.

There’s no cover to see Afterworld and Rahim Samad play The Bricks in Ybor City on Saturday, May 27.

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This article appears in May 18-24, 2023.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...