Kaught Up: The Showcase pt.1
- kabztv
- Jul 31, 2016
- 4 min read
“I’ll see you guys next week,” yelled my misbuilt, scratchy-voiced professor.
“Wait, huh?”, I said with a jolt as I looked around a now empty classroom.
I wiped my face and immediately looked to the front face camera on my iPhone to check myself out.
That was crazy, I thought to myself. I rose from desk and headed straight for the door.
I gotta stay focused. I was now in the hallway of the English hall still feeling a little drowsy. This school thing just don’t grab me no more. I’m a hot, young journalist up for anything. I’m THAT bi-
*CRASH*
Before I knew it, I found myself on the ground looking up at a guy I had never seen around campus before. He was of average height, wearing an all grey sweat-suit. The harsh lights from the hallway bounced off of his light skin and made my head hurt so bad that I didn’t realize he was speaking to me.
“I’m so sorry,” he said looking down at me, “I’m new here and I just wasn’t paying attention. What’s your name? I’m Brett. You look hella familiar. Are you from Charleston?”
I gathered my school things from the floor, tuning him out.
“Stop all that talking and help me up,” I said shaking my head with my arm extended.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me up with yet another apology.
“I doubt you’ve seen me around, but I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m Kabz,” I said dusting myself off and walking past him although he had his arm outstretched for a handshake.

I hit 5th avenue with that evening’s plans on my mind. Before I could even decide what I wanted to do for dinner, my phone went off.
Shelem. My good friend since middle school and also my occasional business partner.
“Hey, what’s up with you?”, I answered happily.
“Kabz, swing by my dorm real quick. I gotta show you something,” he said with intent, although I had trouble hearing him from the on-going traffic.
“Cool. I’m on it,” I said as I took a shortcut through campus.
I arrived at the dorm right when the cold set in. I took a seat in the empty lobby as I made note of how dark it had gotten outside. Why did I sign up for that evening class?
“ Aye yo, Sillykabz!”, exclaimed Shelem as he embraced me. Before I knew it, I was locked into a tight hug where my ear was pressed just above his belly button. Did I mention that Shelem was super tall?
We rode the elevator up to the 10th floor before stepping into his room, which he had transformed into a fully-operating recording studio.
“Wow, Shelem. I see you,” I exclaimed,” This is really nice.”
“I mean… you know,” He said smirking.
I hung my coat in his snug closet before popping onto his bed.
“So I basically brought you up here to-”
“The party is here!!!”, cut in a familiar voice and now familiar face as well.
“Oh brother,” I said throwing my head into my palms.
“Oh Kabz, this is my new roommate, Brett,” said Shelem.
“We’ve met,” said Brett and I in unison, only my voice portrayed disappointment while his portrayed elation.
“You’ve met?” Asked Shelem confused.
“We’ve met,” said Brett and I in unison again.
“ANYWAYS, SHELEM,” I said fiercely, “ What did you want to tell me?”
Brett sat his backpack down with a playful smirk. What is up with this kid? I rolled my eyes before fixating them on Shelem with an angelic expression.
“Oh, yeah,” he said getting back on track,” So I’m doing this rap showcase this weekend and I would love for you to come.”
“Super cool,” I said looking over the flyer he handed me,” I’ll definitely be there. “
The journalist in me tingled all week leading up the event. I didn’t know who I would meet or what I was walking into but I knew that it would be a dope showcase to cover for my blog.
I spent all of Friday morning and afternoon getting not only my interview questions together, but more importantly, my look.
I decided to go sleek and straight with my hair and light on my makeup. I snagged a little black dress from a local thrift store and paired it with a jazzy, white fur I had purchased back in Baltimore. My roommate Ke and I applied bright red lipstick before taking a cab downtown.
We entered Pullman Plaza in awe. Ke and I made note of the marble floors and grand piano in the middle of the lobby before clicking over to the front desk in our black suede heels.
“Good evening, I”m a journalist here to cover tonight’s music showcase,” I said to the receptionist, who was young with nice hair.
“Right this way,” he replied.
This is nice. We were greeted by strobe lights and loud rap music from artists I had never heard of before. Some guys were riding around the venue on hoverboards, which definitely added to the “techno-feel” of the place.
Ke and I were escorted to our seats and awaited the first performer. I peeped Shelem shuffling with his crew backstage as I tried to figure out who I wanted to interview for my article.

We were three performers in when the venue really started to get packed. I had gathered all of the information I needed but I still wanted to see Shelem perform. Knowing that he was up next, I rose from my seat and got the camera on my phone ready.
The host took the stage and motioned for the crowd to calm down. A lot of people from school were there to see Shelem perform. I was happy for him.
“Ok, yall,” started the host,” Our next performer goes by the name Shelem! Ya’ll make some noise for him!”
The crowd got hype all over again.
“Let’s go, Shelem!” I yelled anticipating his arrival to the stage. The thing is, he never came to the stage. I looked at Ke and she shrugged.
“Shelem??? Is Shelem in the house? This is your time to shine, man,” yelled the host,” You better hop on this mic before I do!”
The crowd erupted with BOOs and different variations of the phrase “Oh hell no!”
Where is Shelem? He wouldn’t miss this for the world.
I got a bad feeling in my gut as the host went on to the next act.

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