Marc E Bassy and Skizzy Mars at the Newport Music Hall
This week, Marc E Bassy and Skizzy Mars brought their Folk Heroes North America 2024 to Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio.
In support of Marc E Bassy‘s 2023 album Folk Hero Funk, and this year’s Bad As I Wanna Be release by Skizzy Mars. The two take full advantage of their friendship and collaboration history by touring together. Between YouTube, Soundcloud, and Spotify, they currently have ten collaborations together. It only makes sense that the two should come together for a live show where they can perform more of their music together.
This evening, for the all-ages show, Bassy came out on stage first and performed for just shy of an hour. The singer-songwriter, known for his smooth vocals and emotive lyrics, played a set that was more stripped down than one you may be used to seeing him perform with backup dancers and stark contrasting lights. For a few songs this night, he brought out a brand new acoustic guitar to replace the one he destroyed the night before. The instruments were still there. The songs were still there, with just more emphasis on the vocals, like the fan favorite, “You and Me,” another collaboration but this time with G-Eazy. A common theme for a lot of Bassy’s music is longevity in relationships. Most of his experiences tell of a desirable relationship that may not last. “Morning” and “Coffee” (a collaboration with Quinn XCII) are great examples of this theme. The fans loved it! They were there for the new and the old, and unreleased gems.
After a very brief intermission, Skizzy joined his friend on stage. The two performed their distinct blends of R&B and hip-hop together. Both were dressed as casually as ever. Of course, they performed one of their more well-known collaborations, “Do You There.” If you’re not a fan but you recognize the music, it can be hard to differentiate whose song it is. Their vocals bounce off and balance each other seamlessly. With the two on stage together, the energy in the venue shifted, erupting in cheers and continuing with people singing along to the entire song. After several songs together, they thanked each other and addressed each other as brothers while insisting the audience applaud for the other. Their friendship on stage shined as well as their biggest hits.
The setlist was a fantastic mix of their biggest hits and fan favorites, with seamless transitions that kept the momentum high. The duo interacted with the audience throughout, creating a sense of connection that made the show feel intimate. Their passion for the music was evident, and it was clear they were having as much fun as the crowd. Skizzy Mars and Marc E. Bassy’s work on stage was a showcase of creativity and talent, leaving fans anticipating their next song to be released whether it be their solo work or another collaboration, the fans would be there for it.
