#surellz

The night was young at Bootleg Leg Theater in Los Angeles. Day 12 of the Red Bull Sound Select concerts kicked off with a crowd united through puffs of marijuana, comradery, and the soulful beat of future funk and R&B. The crowd swayed to the rhythms of Sur Ells, Harriet Brown, and Bibi Bourelly. Sur Ellz gave a lively performance with a combination of song and dance. He gave credits to his two back-up dancers. After his mom past away from breast cancer, the duo lifted his spirits. “Remember you all have the ability to make a difference in this world through art,” said Sur Ellz. And crowd lifted Ellz even higher as they spoke of his appreciation for life and family. Then the second featured artist, Harriet Brown, stole the stage in silence. His high-waist cargo pants, neon yellow windbreaker, and black leather fishing hat spoke better than words. The one-man band was quirky and multi talented. He played the electric guitar while mixing his own sound.Romantic funk vibrated the room. He ended his set with his latest hit, “2015.” “It’s not about the year y’all,” he said. “It’s about the vision.” It was time for the main event. The crowd waited in anticipation for Kanye West’s mentee and the mind behind Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money.” Bibi Bourelly strutted to the stage. “It’s lit!” The crowd went wild. Her lyrics spoke of struggles and injustice to the young audience. She encouraged unity in a time of division in our country. It was the kind of music you didn’t need to be familiar with to throw up your hands to. “They won’t bring us down!” shouted Bibi Bourelly as she punched her fist in the air. She left “they” open to interpretation. But the crowd followed suit. Hundreds of fists raised in unison as the stage lights dimmed, blanketing the crowd in darkness. -Asjia Garner