By Cameron Lee
August 26, 2024
Shauna Respass, the rapper and singer-songwriter best known as ReeCee Raps, has been curating and organizing music events in Charlotte since 2019. The Pittsburgh native moved to the city in 2018 and quickly grew a following after getting her start at open mic events at venues like Red at 28th in the University area. She’s helped showcase a plethora of local musical talent through her own open mics and her DOAP events at Crown Station since 2021. Her work spotlighting local hip-hop and R&B talent has now prepared Respass for her grandest undertaking yet, the Pulse Xperience, taking place at Blackbox Theater this weekend.
In partnership with Collaboration Corp, a non-profit founded by Queen City rapper/producer Khalif J. Guiden (better known as RoyalCity Lif), and with funding from an ASC Cultural Vision Grant, the Pulse Xperience will bring together an impressive group of artists and creatives from all across the Carolinas.
“It’s about bringing together the different creative avenues and disciplines in one space,” said Respass. “So we got film, we got dance, we got cuisine, art, fashion, and of course, music.”
The two-day festival will be headlined by the Queen City “Leader of Cult Rap” himself, Deniro Farrar, and South Carolina rapper Nick Grant, who is coming off his magnum opus 2023 album, Sunday Dinner. Known for his Golden Era flows and incredibly keen wordplay, Grant is a real rapper’s rapper, who first garnered a ton of buzz and industry co-signs by the likes of Andre 3000, Nas, and Jay-Z, following his 2017 project, Return of the Cool.
The Labor Day weekend event will also feature a fashion experience in collaboration with Looneycoons, a dance performance by KultureKlash CLT, short film screenings curated by B Sinima, visual art displays by Dupp & Swat, and open mic sessions in The Side Room hosted by Training Day CLT.
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There will also be a special “Sunday Dinner” by Mun-Cheez Gourmet Soul Food, paying tribute to the headlining act, Nick Grant’s latest album. While sample plates for the first 100 people at the festival on Sunday will be free, Charlotte’s popular Romeo’s Vegan Burgers will also be on site serving food all weekend.
The concept of Pulse originated with conversations between Respass and Guiden (RoyalCity Lif) about an all-encompassing event showcasing the city’s creative talent. The idea was further solidified after Respass’s trip to London with fellow Charlotte rapper/producer Zion Christopher Rose and his mother, playwright Stacy Rose. While in London, they discovered a lively local music scene and someone had mentioned that Respass had “tapped into the creative vein of the city.” That experience was key in Pulse’s conceptualization.
“Creatives are like the pulse of the city, because that’s what really gives a city character, it’s the creatives in that scene,” Respass said.
Guiden and Respass brought on former Def Jam field marketing coordinator Kazar X to help with promotions and street team organization, and they have been preparing and planning for the festival since being awarded the grant in May 2023.
The music lineup, hand-picked by Respass and Guiden, features a robust selection of promising Charlotte-area artists. In addition to the headliners Grant (Sunday night) and Farrar (Saturday night), budding Queen City R&B singer-songwriter De’Semaj and country-tinged pop/R&B artist Autumn D will grace the stage along with emerging Charlotte rappers Mylestone, Mary Mack, Tymain Robbins, CapitalQ, Tracei, and Raleigh’s Shame Gang. The festival will also showcase producers and DJs throughout the weekend, along with a performance by the festival organizer herself, ReeCee Raps.
Most of the acts on the bill are artists Respass has worked with or showcased in the past through her events. And, while Charlotte may not be known or regarded nationally for its independent music and arts scene, she’s been fortunate to build a network around her passion.
“Charlotte is a place where you can create the vibe that you are seeking…if you have that creative mind to envision something, this is a place where you can build it, and you will be appreciated within your community,” she said.
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Respass, Guiden and company, will showcase their vision this weekend bringing together multiple factions of Charlotte’s artist community for something far more vibrant than your typical Labor Day weekend cookout. Taking place in the outskirts of NoDa’s arts district, the Pulse Xperience will exhibit the city’s creative beat and continue to build the artistic community that’s so vital for our city’s spirit and essence.
Pulse Xperience takes place August 31 – September 1 at Blackbox Theater and single day tickets start at $30.
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