Marco Pave and Alfred Banks will be returning to Oxford to perform at Proud Larry’s tonight as part of their River Kings Two Tour, where they are performing in 17 cities.
Oxford will be city number 11 of the 17- city tour where the rappers will perform as part of their headlined tour. The two rappers first met at Banks performance, where Pave showed support. They realized they shared the same passion and decided to further both their careers by supporting one another. Last year the two toured together for the first time with a six- city tour, River Kings Tour which in turn was the result from the success of Pave and Banks’s first tour together.
Pave and Banks are excited to revisit Oxford. Both rappers attended a Southern Studies program event last year here at Ole Miss; they also performed at the now closed Shelter on Van Buren, where they developed new friendships with many instructors and students.
“I really want to make people vibe and get and excited,” Pave said.
Pave has been rapping since the age of eight. He would create mock record labels for fun. Over the years he has worked vigorously and persistently at perfecting his craft, until 2014 when he decided to dive into his rapping career.
According to Pave, he has been described as a classic Memphis rapper that is more conscious, meaning he focuses his raps on common issues where others can relate. He is described in his biography as Project pat, another Memphis rapper, meets KRS-One, also a rapper.
Pave enjoys showing his lyrical talents through his music. He writes his lyrics, and is very hands-on in the producing of his work. He works with a team of producers, that often sends him a sound and he then puts his own special twist, creating himself a more authentic version.
Pave finds motivation for his sound and mindful lyrics through his own personal experiences. He often raps from an inner retrospective, which he tries to make more broad in order for his fans and audience to better relate.
“I tell stories through my raps; stories that I have witnessed,” Pave said. He raps the reality that many people face regularly. Through others mistakes and tribulations, Pave quickly learned how hard life could be. He now uses his platform to not only raise awareness, but also give his fans an outlet through his music.
Brian Foster, assistant professor of Sociology and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi, enjoys Pave’s music.
“I think the first song of his that I heard was Black Tux,” Foster said. He refers to the song as crazy lit.
Foster said, “I like many types of music, but none more than southern rap; Marco’s is the best kind of southern rap—a production that is both complex and smooth, a sound that is both ratchet and soulful, with lyrics that are both imaginative and heavy.”
Scott Caradine, Proud Larry’s founder and operator, said that Pave reached out to him about performing again here in Oxford. “I liked his music and we booked a show,” Caradine said. “He has been working hard to promote it.”
Pave and Banks are pushing their music and brands by offering a free show open to the public here in Oxford. They each have some of their most loyal fans here in Oxford and chose this show to be an opportunity for them to give back and show love to the people who drive their music.
“Oxford is one of my favorite cities to perform, and they really show love, which is why we had to come back,” Pave said.
In order to build his brand, Pave chose to reach out to surrounding cities. He found it better to gain the support of local and surround cities that were easy to reach and accommodate. Pave and Banks are now traveling nationally and internationally performing, marketing, and making new connections.
“It’s always cool to meet new people, expose them to the music, and get them to buy merchandise,” Banks said.
“Oxford is a small and lovely town,” Pave said. The two referenced the town’s history of racism and hate, but said they do not get that notion. Pave said he really likes Oxford and thinks the town has a lot of potential. “Oxford is a small, progressive town ready for something new,” said Banks.
According to Foster, “The River Kings Two tour will bring the best of what happens when you mix elements of classic southern rap, from UGK to three-6-mafia to Outkast with some new school.”
