“We have talent here”: Local music artists hoping to promote St. Joseph’s hip-hop scene
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Four independent artists from St. Joseph are hoping to put their city on the map this weekend as they compete in a hip-hop showcase in Kansas City.
Miah 3x, Domo DG, and B Locc 1800 are three solo artists who consider themselves a "family" collective, and will take the stage Saturday at Red Light Studio in Kansas City, Missouri.
They are among up to 50 independent artists vying for a spot in the competition, which offers life-changing prizes for the top three finishers.
The grand prize winner will earn the opportunity to open for rapper Finesse2Tymes in front of an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people.
Second place receives a meet-and-greet with Atlantic Records, and third place takes home a $5,000 cash prize.
For the trio, however, the competition is about much more than money or a record deal.
"Saint Joe is being overlooked when it comes to talent," Domo said. "We have talent here. We're tired of that, and we're trying to put Saint Joe on the map in a different light."
The artists discovered the showcase through an Instagram post and applied to participate.
While each has performed before, this marks their first time competing in an event of this scale.
For all three artists, music serves as a deeply personal outlet.
B Locc, who says he spent half of his life incarcerated, describes his music as a form of rehabilitation.
"I've been through a long journey like others, but music has been like my therapy," Locc said. "It gets me through the rough times. I want people to listen and know that you can go through the stuff I went through and still make it. Don't let these obstacles hold you back."
Miah echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in his songwriting.
"We're making music that everybody can relate to," Miah said. "We're making ourselves vulnerable in the music. A lot of the stuff comes from the heart."
The artists say St. Joseph's music scene, particularly hip-hop and rap, remains small and under-supported compared to other genres.
"I ain't never seen a hip-hop artist at Trails West," Domo noted, referencing the city's annual festival.
"They don't even advertise that." Miah agreed, adding that the lack of local support has been frustrating. "I feel like we would get a lot more light on the city if we had more support from our hometown," he said. "It's like they don't care."
Despite the challenges, the group remains determined to change the narrative.
They point to one of their tracks, which has accumulated more than 830,000 streams across platforms, proof, they say, that the talent is there.
"We got great people here overall, but we get overlooked due to the circumstances of our city," Domo said. "That's what we're trying to do, put Saint Joe on the map."
The showcase begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at Red Light Studio in Kansas City.
Organizers expect 30 to 40 artists to compete, though 50 slots are available.
The trio encourage supporters to arrive early, as seating is limited.
"Each one of us has a different sound, but every single one of us is giving real life," Domo said. "If they actually take the time to listen to our music, they can hear the stories and the things we're talking about."
You can check out their music here:
More information on the competition can be found here.
