Joey Valence & Brae Keep the Party Going in Los Angeles
Article written by and photos by Natalie Ryan
After a hugely successful run last year, hip-hop duo Joey Valence & Brae brought their HYPERYOUTH Tour back for a victory lap. The sold-out show in September at The Observatory in Santa Ana got upgraded to two consecutive nights at the Bellwether in Los Angeles. A Monster Energy Outbreak Presents tour, they were joined by rapper Sha Crow on March 6th. Joey Valence & Brae, often shortened to JVB, consists of rappers and best friends Joseph Bertolino and Braeden Lugue. With Joey producing all of their tracks, they garnered viral attention on social media, most notably with “PUNK TACTICS,” released in 2022. Now, they are fresh off the release of an extended version of last year’s album. “HYPERYOUTH (afterparty)” gives them even more new songs to play on tour. The influence of classic hip-hop, Beastie Boys, Daft Punk, and nostalgic club and dance music is evident in their work, alongside their love for video games, anime, and pop culture. The pair’s music can be described as anything from rap-rock to dance-pop, but it’s always a good time to see JVB.
To kick off the show, rapper Sha Crow burst onto the stage like a ball of energy, bouncing around from side to side. While laughing, he revealed to the audience that this was his first show ever. He had some of the most infectious energy I’ve ever seen from an opening act, and it was clear from the beginning he was having the time of his life. The crowd easily got on his wave, bouncing with him and giving him all their attention. His extremely high jumps and animated attitude kept everyone engaged and involved. During one of his songs, he jumped into the crowd to surf (after being egged on by everyone in front), only to get back on stage and do it all over again. He took a second to mention how grateful he is that he followed JVB, and the next day got a message asking if he would open for them. He thanked his grandmother, saying she is the only reason for him being here, and finished his set. With only 30 minutes, Sha Crow made the entire venue into fans. I can’t imagine a better outcome for someone’s first ever show.
Find Sha Crow at his individual links here: Apple Music and Instagram
Joey Valence & Brae’s DJ came on stage to warm everyone up with a quick set of club classics. DJ Ewook got everyone moving to Lady Gaga, DJ Khaled, Limp Bizkit, and more before transitioning into JVB’s first song. The crowd went wild as soon as Joey and Brae finally hit the stage, starting off strong with four songs in a row from “HYPERYOUTH,” everyone shouting the lyrics back at them. The duo kept the crowd going with their dance moves and frequently thanked everyone for coming to the show and supporting, which means the world to them.
They reminded everyone to dance, their number one rule at a JVB show, as well as make a new friend. They went on to play banger after banger, from “LIKE A PUNK” to “OK,” to surprise guest JPEGMAFIA coming out for their collaboration “WASSUP” with his crew in tow. The crowd got crazier the longer the show went on, culminating in an uncontrollable sea of people during “PUNK TACTICS,” an explosive finish to their set before the encore. They came back on stage to perform “THE BADDEST,” one of the most fun songs you’ll ever hear in a club. The disco ball was shining, and everyone was dancing, moshing, or crowd surfing like there was no tomorrow. They closed the show with “DISCO TOMORROW,” a perfect conclusion for the album and the night. You may not be able to stay young forever, but JVB will have you dancing like you are.
“Growin' up, I never thought I'd make a mark / Then I met Joey, and I finally found my spark / Be true to you 'cause you're the only one that knows you best / I'm happy to be here, thank you all, I'm truly blessed.”
Find Joey Valence & Brae at their individual links here: Apple Music and Instagram.
