Arts & Entertainment
Shwayze Brings 'The West Coast Party' to The Catalyst Atrium
Solo Hip-Hop act, Shwayze, took the stage for a sold-out at The Catalyst's Atrium Sunday night.
Last night's sold out show at The Catalyst's Atrium was anything but a disappointment with ex MTV’s ‘Buzzin’ star, Shwayze, as he got the college-aged crowd pumped with steady, energized beats and verses about partying, sex, and drugs.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because his 2008 single featuring Cisco Adler "Corona & Lime" blasted through the top 40 airwaves, peaking at number 23 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and number three on iTunes in August that year.
The charts aren’t the only place where Shwayze stays high.
Toward the second half of his set a fan lit up a joint and passed it his way, he got a cautious look – as if contemplating whether or not to defy the law in front of the 350-person crowd – but took a hit and went straight into “Corona & Lime,” mixing hip-hop melodies with rock drums and mock-fighting as he sang “And if you brother don’t like my style, we can take it to the streets.”
In it’s entirety, the show was a great way to spend a Sunday night as the 26-year-old rapper pumped the crowd up with his tracks that endorse having a good time, like "West Coast Party" off his Shwayzed and Confused 2012 EP that had the crowd their hands in the air, as they shouted, “Ain’t no party like a West Coast party, ‘cause the West Coast party don’t stop.”
Instantly transitioning into another party track titled “Livin’ It Up,” a celebration of the success the young rapper has hit and a big “F-U” to the haters.
It’s a non-stop outlet of enthusiasm as Shwayze went from one side of the stage to the other, dancing along to the victorious trumpet on the track and easy as he sang, “Why you hatin’, I’m livin’ it up,” with a confident ease.
Weaving between fast-paced rap flows and laid back melodies with a rock & roll twist, the young MC really knew how to schmooze the crowd.
As Shwayze yelled, “It's my first time being here and I fucking love you Santa Cruz,” the crowd responded with an equally smitten roar.
The sick beats were dropped, the verses were spit, and the fans were pleased.
