​The neon lights of the Strip are one thing, but the real electricity in Las Vegas on February 19th was pulsing through The Usual Place. Hosted by Sucka Punch Productions and Free Agent Music, the “One Night in Vegas” showcase was a stacked lineup that delivered exactly what the underground scene craves: high energy, local pride, and legendary performances.

​My wife originally had the day off, but she was recently promoted and ended up having to work (huge congrats to her!). So we went as soon as she got off. I picked her up around 8:30 PM, we grabbed some McDonald’s to fuel up, and headed to the venue. We managed to navigate the Vegas parking hustle by skipping the venue fee for a lucky free spot around the corner, making it through the doors by 9:30 PM.

​Right outside, we ran into the man of the hour, Larry Coleman 2020. Larry wasn’t just performing; he was the architect behind the event. Larry is actually the one who hooked us up with the guest list for the show, so it was dope to be able to stop and chop it up with him for a few minutes before he headed in to perform. Inside, I caught up with Obi1 from KOAT Records. I was bummed to have missed their set, but with KOAT making waves lately, I know I’ll be catching them again sooner rather than later. Huge shoutout to the whole KOAT crew for holding it down.

​We secured a prime spot at the barricade on the right side of the stage just as Larry Coleman 2020 began his set. Joined by Truth303 as his hypeman, the duo put on one hell of a show. The energy peaked when Shikottii joined them for a collab track that sent the room into overdrive. It’s clear the Vegas crowd loves their own; the chants for Larry were deafening. On a personal note, it was a class act for Larry to give a mid-set shoutout to Faygoluvers—as someone who grew up as a massive fan of the site long before writing for it, that moment definitely hit home.

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​Kung Fu Vampire hit the stage almost immediately after, and the momentum didn’t drop for a second. Having last seen him opening for ICP a few months back, I knew we were in for a treat. He opened with “iCount”—the very track that introduced me to his music years ago via a Faygoluvers post.
​Seeing him go from the Key Club in LA years ago to crushing it in Vegas today is a testament to his longevity. The highlights? The crowd was absolutely feeling the vibe, and hearing my personal favorite, “Grinder,” live was mad fresh. After his set, the majority of the venue headed toward the merch booth behind us to talk with him. It started getting a bit crowded in our area, so we decided to move to the opposite side of the stage, where we managed to secure another prime spot right against the barricade.

​Next up was Conejo. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they quickly revealed themselves not as another rap act, but as a hard-hitting Nu-Metal band. Their standout moment was a heavy, instrumental-driven cover of Cypress Hill’s “I Ain’t Goin Out Like That.” Hearing those classic hip-hop rhythms replicated with raw band energy was a highlight of the night.

​Finally, it was time for the Kottonmouth Kings. Though the changeover took about 30 minutes, the payoff was worth it. D-Loc kicked things off behind the turntables, building a thick atmosphere before the rest of the KMK crew stormed the stage. ​The set was a journey through their discography, but hearing “Life Rolls On” live still hits differently. A standout moment was D-Loc’s solo, where he ran through classic KMK verses over iconic mainstream beats—a brilliant display of technical skill.

To cap off the night, I finally got to meet Taxman for the first time. After years of being a fan, getting that picture was the perfect ending to a “fresh as it gets” evening.
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​While “One Night in Vegas” was a special one-off event, the hustle doesn’t stop. Larry Coleman 2020 and KOAT Records are currently tearing through a West Coast tour—if they hit your city, don’t sleep on it.

​Meanwhile, Kottonmouth Kings are gearing up for their 30 Years of KMK Tour with Kung Fu Vampire and A Killer’s Confession. Based on what I saw at The Usual Place, that tour is going to be mandatory viewing for any underground head. Till next we meet, always keep it wicked fresh! WHOOP WHOOP!!

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