#velibrand

This past Thursday The Veli Brand returned with it’s highly anticipated independent artist showcase New Breed 5, featuring top independent artists from all over the country.

Held at Philly’s intimate venue, The Fire, in Northern Liberties, this event was sure to cause a stir. The heat resonated from within the small venue out into the warm summer night with performances from 821, HPN Hallie, Scottie Ka$h, Sour, Suirad Franklin and Xali. Xpressive Trinity got the chance to chat with 821, Xali and HPN Hallie prior to them shutting down the stage…

Xali

Xali is a south Florida who came to Philly for the first time to perform at a  Veli Brand, New Breed event. Prior to his arrival, he unfortunately purchased a bad cheesesteak. But after our conversation and his performance, Philly made it up to him:

Is this is your first New Breed event ?

“Yea. I've performed out of state, but this is my first time in Philly.”

Are you excited about performing ?

“[Yes.] A lot of people don't automatically think I'm from Florida, [because of my sound] that’s how I can connect with my people, doin’ what I'm doin’. I want to touch people and be a great artist and be able to adjust and put my personal southern touch in my music.”

What are you expecting from the crowd ?

“I been told that it's very lit, you feel me? And it's very lit in Florida. they like to mosh-pit, it's not nothing I'm not used to, but it's different types of energy..I've seen crowds go crazy from the energy. I'm interested in seeing what type of crowd this is.”

*be sure to check out Xali’s latest video “Mattress on the Floor”

HPN Hallie

HPN Hallie is a young Philadelphia artist on the rise, toting hundreds of plays in tow, we got a chance to sit with Hallie and gain his thoughts on his first New Breed performance:

Is this your first New Breed event ?

“This is my first event [and] I know that [with] New Breed there's a lot of expectations. I seen a lot of footage and I've seen a lot of people kill it. I seen it turnt up. I'm like listen, I need Veli to throw me up there.”

Are you excited about performing?

“Hell yea, I'm excited! I feel like it's a good opportunity,platform and it's great exposure. It's [also] good competition, because I know it's the best of the best of the up and coming and it's a good way to gauge where I am as an artist”

What are you expecting from the crowd ?

“I expect it to be turned up!”

*be sure to check out HPN Hallie’s latest video “++twIstED pArAdIsE++”

821

Southside Jamaica, Queens artist 821, sat down and caught up with us before their performance. A laid back demeanor coupled with New York swagger, the guys didn’t have to say much, however, their performance and stage presence spoke volumes:

Is this your first New Breed event ?

“Yea, this is our first event with New Breed. We've performed in Philly before.”

Are you excited about performing ?

“Yes. That's a fact. Always excited.”

What are you expecting from the crowd ?

“We're expecting energy, love and support. We want them to turn up with us. Every performance is different depending on the crowd, but we gonna turn all the way up.”

*be sure to check out 821’s latest video “Lobby Remix” ft. Slim Jxmmi of Rae Sremmurd