TRC set lofty expectations for themselves in our 2017 Predictions Issue, and it looks like they’re making their goals all happen in real life.
On Sunday night, the St. Pete hip hop collective formerly known as The Real Clash emerged victorious at Destination Okeechobee — a fan judged contest that sends the winner to Okeechobee Music Festival (set for March 2-5 at Sunshine Grove).
They join a lineup that already includes Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, Bassnectar, Lumineers, Flume and more.
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“Having the support of friends, family and fellow musicians makes what we do all the more worth it,” Rashad Harrell (aka Shadcore) told CL in a message. “TRC fans showed up in droves and that let’s us know that they’re in it with us when we declare that we are Hip-Hop Redefined.”
The victory comes a year after TRC narrowly lost to another Bay area act — Bangarang — who got to played the first ever Okeechobee Music Festival in 2016. Other acts competing in Sunday’s competition included Bay area songwriter Natalie Claro, Savannah production duo Pieces & C.Rok, Ohio synthpop outfit ALBVS and Los Angeles poptronica act Plexxaglass.
Harrell said the festival has yet to confirm which date they’ll play and thinks that TRC’s finale performance of a four-song mashup (“California Love,” “Gin & Juice,” “It’s All About The Benjamins” and “Gangsta’s Paradise”) sealed the deal.
“‘I’m sure we will utilize that mashup at Okeechobee as well as a few other surprises,” he said. “We now have an album title for our upcoming summer EP….ALL PRO, NO BONO“. We’re ready. We been ready.”
Listen to some TRC below, and get more information on Okeechobee Festival here. If you’re a band looking to compete for a slot at the Reggae Rise Up Festival (happening March 4-5 in St. Petersburg), then head here.
This article appears in Jan 19-26, 2017.
