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Greed is Good - hip hop tribute to Wario on the Game Boy from Mode 7 2 Feb 4:54 PM (last month)

Mode 7 pays tribute to every Wario Land and WarioWare game from the original DMG-01 to the Game Boy Advance. From Super Mario Land 2 debuting in 1992, all the way to WarioWare Twisted from 2005. That’s over ten years of Wario! Take a rap tour through the land of handheld Wario with Mode 7. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services. Download on Bandcamp and support more Mode 7 music by becoming a subscriber on Patreon! All links at bio.site/mode7 Watch the music video on YouTube or embedded below!

Greed is Good by Mode 7

About Mode 7
Mode 7 is a rapper, writer, musician, and performer from Los Angeles, California. A historian of video games and a life long fan of hip hop. Mode 7 has taken all his knowledge and writing skills to spin some of the catchiest hooks and most clever lines in game music and hip hop.

Retro Game Wednesdays at Fusion Bar & Kitchen in Los Angeles - Video Game Night, Karaoke, Open Mic, Video Games and Live Music 2 Feb 4:04 PM (last month)

Retro Game Wednesdays at Fusion Bar & Kitchen in El Monte, RSVP on the Retro Game Wednesdays Eventbrite Page, and follow on Instagram.com/gamemusic4all for event info!

Game Music 4 All presents a night of nerdy fun! If you’re feeling nostalgic, or want to get a glimpse into the world of retrogaming. If you want to enjoy live video game music and local performers. If you want to get on stage and perform. If you want to have a great Wednesday night in El Monte, then this is where you want to be!

Retro consoles available for free play! Open stage for musicians and performers with Open Mic and Karaoke! Vendors and artists with unique products! Delicious food and drinks thanks to Fusion Bar & Kitchen!

Retro Games, Open Mic & Karaoke event February 5, Wednesday
Fusion Bar & Kitchen in El Monte, California
11672 Ramona Blvd El monte, CA 91762

• Free Entry

• 18+ (under 18 w/ supervision. Alcohol served on premises for 21+ w/ valid ID)

• Free sign up for Karaoke / Open Mic (5 min open mic / 1 song karaoke - sign ups start 8PM)

Be part of a future Retro Game Wednesday! We are always looking for video game inspired Vendors, Indie Game Makers, Live Performers, and Sponsors! Check out the links below if you are interested!

• Vendors (vendor application form)

• Live Performances (performer application form)

• Sponsors (sponsorship application form)

Upcoming Retro Game Wednesday event dates…

• February 19

• March 5

• March 19

• April 2

• April 16

• April 30

More info for these dates coming soon!

Game Boy 35th Anniversary 1989 - 2024 35 Years of Game Boy Music chip hop tribute by Mode 7 28 Oct 2024 12:25 PM (4 months ago)

Mode 7 is dropping 35 tracks in tribute to the 35th anniversary of the Nintendo Game Boy. From the classic gray brick to the mythical Game Boy Micro, Mode 7 is doing it big to pay tribute to the best selling handheld gaming console in history!

Final Fantasy Adventure - 1991
“Mana’s Mission” Rap Remix

Dr. Mario - 1990
”Chill” Rap Remix

Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon - 2000
“The Second Act” Rap Remix

Pokemon Red and Blue - 1998
”Evolution” Rap Remix

Coming Soon… Bringing it all together!

Retro Game Wednesdays at Fusion Bar & Kitchen in El Monte, California. A night of music and video games near Los Angeles 28 Oct 2024 11:12 AM (4 months ago)

Retro Game Wednesdays at Fusion Bar & Kitchen in El Monte, follow on Instagram.com/gamemusic4all for event info!

Game Music 4 All presents a night of nerdy fun! If you’re feeling nostalgic, or want to get a glimpse into the world of retrogaming. If you want to enjoy live video game music and local performers. If you want to get on stage and perform. If you want to have a great Wednesday night in El Monte, then this is where you want to be!

Retro consoles available for free play! Open stage for musicians and performers with Open Mic and Karaoke! Vendors and artists with unique products! Delicious food and drinks thanks to Fusion Bar & Kitchen!

Retro Games, Open Mic & Karaoke event taking place on September 18, Wednesday
Fusion Bar & Kitchen in El Monte, California
11672 Ramona Blvd El monte, CA 91762

• Free Entry

• 18+ (under 18 w/ supervision. Alcohol served on premises for 21+ w/ valid ID)

• Free sign up for Karaoke / Open Mic (5 min open mic / 1 song karaoke - sign ups start 8PM)

Be part of a future Retro Game Wednesday! We are always looking for video game inspired Vendors, Indie Game Makers, Live Performers, and Sponsors! Check out the links below if you are interested!

• Vendors (vendor application form)

• Live Performances (performer application form)

• Sponsors (sponsorship application form)

Upcoming Retro Game Wednesday event dates…
October 30
November 13

More info for these dates coming soon!

GOLD COUNTRY - Banjo Kazooie Soundtrack Tribute Remix Album by Video Game Rapper Mode 7 21 Mar 2024 3:49 PM (11 months ago)

Mode 7 is back and more grizzled than ever with this Banjo Kazooie tribute album! Gold Country is 23 tracks of Banjo Kazooie raps, remixes, beats, bars, and bears! Oh my!

This album is a tribute to the fans that have recently discovered the game, along with those long time lovers of the bird and bear, who remember getting the game all the way back in 1998. The album is also Mode 7’s way of looking back on his first year of live performances, along with a look at what the future holds!

From classics like the Banjo Kazooie Main Theme, and Click Clock Woods to more obscure tracks like Bad Magic Bayou from Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty’s Revenge, or the Golden Feather theme from Banjo-Pilot, Mode 7 mixes it all together into one cohesive album from the perspective of a rapping bear straight out of the backwoods of California!

Can you collect every collectible, and uncover every secret in GOLD COUNTRY?

Gold Country by Mode 7

Find the album on all streaming services, and support with a purchase on Bandcamp or a subscribtion on Patreon. Thanks for listening, and feel free to tell Microsoft that we are waiting for Banjo Threeie very patiently.

You can also watch music videos for the first two singles from Gold Country. Game On, a remix of the introduction and main theme of Banjo Kazooie. Also check out the video for my Bubble Gloop Swamp remix, The Swamp. Watch the videos below, or on the Mode 7 YouTube page.

“Stank swamps, tight turns, booze, blunts, and bad witches in this tribute to the classic 1998 Nintendo 64 game by Rare. Also in tribute to the lesser known Banjo Kazooie: Grunty’s Revenge and Banjo-Pilot for the Game Boy Advance. 17 raps and 23 remixes to collect along the way. Traverse fields, mountains, and racetracks in this bear of an adventure!

It ain’t Banjo-Threeie, but Mode 7 is here to bring this bear out of hibernation to remind everyone who the true beast of the woods really is. Join Mode 7 as he connects on a fusion dance with Banjo the bear to combine over a dozen skills and powers to create the definitive rap album about Banjo and Kazooie! But actually just Banjo!

This album is for anyone who’s discovered and enjoyed the original Banjo Kazooie since it’s release in 1998. And for anyone who might have played those GBA outings as well, I see you.”

Indie Music in El Monte, CA. April 3rd at the new Fusion Bar and Kitchen 21 Mar 2024 2:29 PM (11 months ago)

Join us for a free concert at Fusion Bar and Kitchen, the brand new hot spot in El Monte! Starting at 7PM will be a night of incredible music from several indie artists, along with the always delicious food and great drinks of Fusion.

The night will feature the original music of Lilybird Starr, Ivory Rose, Impossible Stars, Steel Maggie, and Moon Root.

Doors Open 7PM
Show starts 7:30PM
Fusion Bar and Kitchen
11672 Ramona Blvd El Monte, CA 91732

Find more from the artists!

Moon Root

Instagram: instagram.com/moonrootmusic
Linktree: linktr.ee/moonrootmusic
Spotify: Moon Root on Spotify

Steel Maggie

Instagram: instagram.com/steelmaggiehq
Website: steelmaggiemusic.com/
Spotify: Steel Maggie on Spotify

Impossible Stars

Instagram: instagram.com/impossible_stars_official

Ivory Rose

Instagram: instagram.com/ivoryroseinbloom

Lilybird Starr

Instagram: instagram.com/lilybird_starr_music

This new hot spot in Los Angeles features a range of events including Retro video game bar arcade nights, open mic, live jazz, rock, and hip hop concerts! Keep an eye out for more GM4A events happening at Fusion Bar and Kitchen in El Monte!

Battletoads: Smash Hits - Video Game Music on Vinyl 4 Mar 2024 5:00 AM (last year)

I’m more versed in the SNES outing Battlemaniacs, but there is no denying the classic attitude of the NES original soundtrack to the Battletoads debut. Though not always up to par with our fond memories, it was also great to see the toads return to action, especially with David Housdon providing the tunes to this all new (back in 2020) adventure.

This vinyl was published by iam8bit in three variations. The one pictured below is the “3D Pop Up Pink” double LP, at least according to the label. Later variations of this album come in the same neon pink minus the pop up artwork, as well as green, which is fitting for Battletoads.

As mentioned, this is a 2LP set, featuring music from both the original NES soundtrack alongside the latest video game music from the 2020 Battletoads reboot. Side A and B feature the original soundtrack to the classic debut of the trio of toads, originally composed by David Wise. The second half consists of the latest in Battletoads BGM, David Housden and his work on the 2020 Battletoads revival.

Learn more about the album on the Battletoads: Smash Hits vinyl album page on VGMdb and learn more about the vinyl on Discogs.

Listen to the full Battletoads SNES soundtrack on YouTube via retrovgnamusic

Listen to the full Battletoads (2020) original soundtrack on YouTube via AvengerAlex

Battletoads: Smash Hits vinyl 2xLP Full Track List

Side A

Title Theme
Ragnarok's Canyon
Wookie Hole
Turbo Tunnel (Prelude)
Turbo Tunnel
Arctic Cavern
Pause

Side B

Dark Calling (cutscene)
Surf City / Terra Tubes
Karnath's Lair
Volkmire's Inferno (Prelude)
Volkmire's Inferno
Intruder Excluder
Rat Race
Clinger Wingers
The Revolution
Boss Battle
Stage Clear
Game Over

Side C

Battletoads
Khaos Mountains 2.0
Porkshank
Olympian Amphibians
Toadally Rad
To The Queen!
Powertoads
Space Toads

Side D

TOADSHAMBO
Queen's Guard
Axeley
Turbo Tunnel
Gut Reaction
Show's Over
The Topians

DJ Blastum, performing live at SOUND TEST in Pomona, CA - A concert of video game music, chiptune, anime, nerdcore hip hop and rock! 3 Mar 2024 3:45 PM (last year)

SOUND TEST is coming to The Shop in Pomona, California. March 19th is the day to remember if you want to enjoy a night of amazing local artists inspired by video games, anime, and music. Amazing artists such as Mode 7, Impossible Stars, Canela Deya, Mellow Lando, and NerdKnight Music, but today we are focusing in on DJ Blastum!

Bringing the chiptune to SOUND TEST is Pomona local, and heavy hitting musician DJ BLASTUM!

DJ Blastum live performance 9/23

From rapid blasting beats to dance heavy madness, it’s all done with a humble PSP from 2005. The past is the future though as DJ Blastum continues to push forward his rising career with old tech and a big heart!

DJBLASTUM x Alluce by DJBLASTUM x Alluce

Catch DJ Blastum opening up the concert! So don’t be late when doors open at 6PM!

SOUND TEST is a new concert series showcasing the best in video game music, nerdcore, chiptune, hip hop, rock, and independent music in Southern California!

SOUND TEST is a FREE EVENT and is ALL AGES
Tuesday, March 19
6-10PM
266 W 2nd St, Pomona, CA 91766

The inauguaral event is in celebration of the release of the brand new Mode 7 mixtape, GOLD COUNTRY, a tribute to Banjo Kazooie. Mode 7 will be performing a set full of new music inpired by Banjo Kazooie and other classic Nintendo games!

Along with Mode 7, SOUND TEST will include eclectic and amazing sets from Mellow Lando, Nerdknight Music, Impossible Stars, DJ Blastum, and more to be announced. This event is free to attend, and all ages are welcome! I hope you’ll join us for a fun night of music and gaming! Cosplay is welcome, and appreciated! You can find more info on the event all over the web, please share this event with your friends and followers and anyone who loves good music and classic video games!

Find more info, tickets, RSVP and spread the word with these links and social media flyers!

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Facebook

BandsinTown

SongKick

Threads

Mega Man Battle Network 2 (Original Video Game Soundtrack) - Video Game Music on Vinyl 21 Feb 2024 11:56 AM (last year)

Check out the colorful artwork on this collection of music from Mega Man Battle Network 2. Pressed to vinyl via Ship to Shore PhonoCo in 2023. This album boasts 33 tracks on one LP. That’s the full soundtrack, made physical, with multiple color variants for the LP. Although you can’t tell, the album pictured below is the “Materia Store-exclusive tricolor vinyl” which comes in a red, white, and blue colorway.

The Game Boy Advance 2001 release was composed by longtime Capcom composer, Yoshino Aoki. Best known for her work from the Mega Man, and Breath of Fire series, before going freelance and contributing to music from publishers such as Square-Enix and former employer Capcom.

Have you played this game since it launched on the GBA over 20 years ago? Either original, or the Battle Network collection? What is your favorite track from the game? and do you own this vinyl?

Learn more about the album at the Mega Man Battle Network 2 Original Video Game Soundtrack page on VGMdb and learn more about the vinyl on Discogs.

Listen to the full soundtrack on YouTube via Frygoon

Mode 7 - Banjo Kazooie album release concert - A Night of nerd music March 19 in Pomona, California! Live performances of nerdcore, chiptune, video game music and more! 7 Feb 2024 11:00 PM (last year)

It’s time to come out of hibernation and celebrate the release of Banjo Kazooie tribute album, GOLD COUNTRY with Mode 7 and friends!

MARCH 19th in beautiful Downtown Pomona, California! The Shop will be host to a night of amazing musicians inspired by video games, anime, and more!

SOUND TEST is a new concert series showcasing the best in video game music, nerdcore, chiptune, hip hop, rock, and independent music in Southern California!
The inauguaral event is in celebration of the release of the brand new Mode 7 mixtape, GOLD COUNTRY, a tribute to Banjo Kazooie. Mode 7 will be performing a set full of new music inpired by Banjo Kazooie and other classic Nintendo games!

Along with Mode 7, SOUND TEST will include eclectic and amazing sets from Mellow Lando, Nerdknight Music, Impossible Stars, DJ Blastum, and more to be announced. This event is free to attend, and all ages are welcome! I hope you’ll join us for a fun night of music and gaming! Cosplay is welcome, and appreciated! You can find more info on the event all over the web, please share this event with your friends and followers and anyone who loves good music and classic video games!

Find more info, tickets, RSVP and spread the word with these links and social media flyers!

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Facebook

BandsinTown

SongKick

Threads

Collectathon, Banjo Kazooie music tribute by Mode 7, Jiggy Appearance nerdcore rap remix, GOLD COUNTRY drops March 19! 7 Feb 2024 2:30 PM (last year)

Mode 7 is dropping a new mixtape on Tuesday, March 19th, and has premiered a brand new track in anticipation of the full album. Get ready to find gold in Collectathon, a remix of the Jiggy Appearance theme from the Nintendo 64 classic, Banjo Kazooie. This is the first of a 20+ track mixtape paying tribute to the early adventures of the bear and the bird with fire beats and dope rhymes! Watch the lyric video below or on the Mode 7 YouTube channel!

Find the song on all music apps!
Spotify

Apple Music

Bandcamp

YouTube Music

Hope you enjoy the track, and check out the lyrics in the lyrics video. You can also stream the new single Collectathon, below, or on Bandcamp! The track is also available for purchase on the Game Music 4 All Bandcamp page. Thanks so much for listening! Full album Gold Country, drops March 19!

Collectathon (Banjo Kazooie - Jiggy Jingle Rap Remix) by Mode 7

If you enjoy Banjo Kazooie, and my music, please follow me on social media, and help me spread the word about this B-K tribute album! I’m hoping to share the passion of many Banjo Kazooie fans and pay tribute to a classic video game and a wonderful moment in time!

- Mode 7

Mode 7 drops Video Game Music Freestyle Rap Remixes - new freestyles on SoundCloud 6 Nov 2023 1:07 AM (last year)

Listen to the flows of Mode 7 as he kicks rhymes live on top of music from classic retro video games such as Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Spyro the Dragon, Super Mario, Final Fantasy, and more!

Mode 7 performs video game music and nerdcore rap several times a week live streaming on Twitch and YouTube. Along with Mode 7’s most popular songs, he also digs out the crate to find the dopest VGM remixes, covers, original game soundtracks, and indie games to drop some flows right off the dome.

Collected here are fifteen tracks of live freestyles by Mode 7, check out the full track list below and watcha live music video of the Dungeon Munchies 'Surfing Below' freestyle performance!

Super Mario Bros 3 'Swimming' freestyle - beat by Mode 7

Dungeon Munchies 'Surfing Below' freestyle - music by rAYE

Final Fantasy VI 'Mysterious Old Man' freestyle - music by 5alazar

Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening freestyle - music by Tim Sheehy

Grand Theft Auto V 'Looking for a Heartbeat' freestyle - music by Voodoo Lion

Zelda II The Adventure of Link Temple Trippin' freestyle - music by LaRux

Nintendo DS Lunar Knights 'Dark Tower' freestyle

Red Dead rap freestyle - beat by Doughboy the Producer

Dungeon Munchies "Thrills and Perils" freestyle - music by rAYE

Super Famicom Hero Senki: Project Olympus freestyle - beat by Mode 7

Splatoon freestyle - music by Mykah

Lavender Town Pokemon freestyle - music by Voodoo Lion

Spyro the Dragon freestyle - beat by Doughboy the Producer

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link "Hipccordian" freestyle - music by AmIEviL

Mario Paint freestyle rap

Dungeon Munchies 'Surfing Below' freestyle - music by rAYE

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Nerdcore rapper Mode 7 performing live November 18 at Ontario Art Walk - Free event in Ontario, California 6 Nov 2023 12:18 AM (last year)

Get your fix of live video game music on Saturday, November 18th in Ontario California. The city of Ontario, California will be holding their seasonal Ontario Art Walk. The show will play host to nerdcore video game rapper Mode 7 along with several other amazing bands and artists from Los Angeles, Pomona, Ontario, and the Inland Empire!

Along with the amazing musicians there will be vendors, live art, food, shopping, and more!

Ontario Art Walk

Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 6PM - 10PM

223 E. Emporia St. Ontario, California 91762

Performances by:

Mode 7

Mark Vasquez

Porkboii

Impossible Stars

Unifire

Event produced by Emporia Arts District and Ontario Art Walk

NerdKnight Music Presents OktoberQuest October 28 Los Angeles - Nerdcore hip hop, video game rap, los angeles artists, singers and emcees - FULL LINEUP ANNOUNCED! 11 Oct 2023 6:00 AM (last year)

NerdKnight Music presents OktoberQuest! A night of the best up and coming hip hop artists and singers from Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange County, and beyond! Come on out to this free event happening in Los Angeles, CA. Nerdcore hip hop, underground rap, incredible singers and artists all night!

Saturday, October 28 starting 7PM - FREE ENTRY! Underground and independent rappers, singers, emcees, and performers take the stage for an unforgettable night of music. The full artist line up has been announced and confirmed, Get ready to dance to over a dozen different performers covering nerdcore, video game music, conscious, emotional, old school, new school, and all of them combined!

The event will also be filled with vendors, food and drink. A one stop destination for your Saturday night!

UPDATED (as of 10/18/23) Event Info:

NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest

Tickets available on the official Eventbrite event page.

Saturday October 28, 2023 8PM

17905 Sky Park Circle Suite L Irvine, CA 92614

Read on for the full list of artists taking the stage!

Announced Artist List

Cas Hatchett

https://www.instagram.com/cashatchett/

Mia Kennedi

https://www.instagram.com/miakennedi/

Icy Tim

https://www.instagram.com/icytim_00/

Diavol

https://www.instagram.com/lildev_ill/

NerdKnight Music

https://www.instagram.com/nerdknightmusic/

JuseMC

https://www.instagram.com/juse_mc/

Bravo562

https://www.instagram.com/brxvo562/

Krystina

https://www.instagram.com/krystinamusic/

Anihuasca

https://www.instagram.com/anihuasca/

KawaiiSteez

https://www.instagram.com/kawaiisteez/

Prince Fame

https://www.instagram.com/fame1of1

VITUS KING

https://www.instagram.com/vitustheking/

Drip$tick

https://www.instagram.com/dripstick7/

LEMMEDOYA

https://www.instagram.com/lemmedoya/

Mode 7

https://www.instagram.com/mode7rap/

Mercutio X

https://www.instagram.com/sohard2tell

reyny.daze

https://www.instagram.com/reyny.daze

Awks Cord

https://www.instagram.com/awkscord_

Edward Lillie

https://www.instagram.com/_ewl3

K9

https://www.instagram.com/yungsaucink9

Pradda Jay

https://www.instagram.com/praddajay/

Pride

https://www.instagram.com/px_pride

OH.Tae

https://www.instagram.com/oh.taeee

Other Event Links:

Songkick event link

Bandsintown event link

NerdKnight Music Instagram Page (event organizers)

“Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and fun at **NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest**! Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate celebration of underground/independent music. This in-person event will take place on **Sat Oct 28 2023** at **20:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)**.

We have carefully chosen the perfect location for this epic event Sponsored by Project1840. Make your way to **1046 1/2 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90019** to experience the magic firsthand. This venue has been specially selected to create an atmosphere that will transport you to a world where music and artistry collide.

Whether you’re a fan of nerd core, trap, r&b or conscious rap, you’ll be treated to an array of performances that will make your heart sing. Our talented lineup of musicians will take you on a journey through time and space, bringing to life the melodies that have captured our imaginations.

So grab your friends and, and get ready to rock out at **NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest**! This is an event you don’t want to miss. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night filled with music and excitement!”

NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest - Free Event October 28 in Los Angeles, CA 26 Sep 2023 7:05 PM (last year)

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and entertainment as NerdKnight Music presents OktoberQuest! A free event happening in Los Angeles, CA. Nerdcore hip hop, underground rap, incredible singers and artists all night!

Saturday, October 28 at 8 PM, the stage will come alive with an extraordinary lineup of talented hip hop artists and musicians, ensuring non-stop excitement and energy from start to finish! An incredible and eclectic collection of artists, all brought together under one roof! Headlined by the amazing Cas Hatchett!

Food and Vendors will be available to shop and eat during the event!

Make sure to follow the NerdKnight Music Instagram page for artist announcements leading up to the event.

Event Info:

Tickets available on the official Eventbrite event page.

NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest

Saturday October 28, 2023 8PM

1048 South Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90019

Announced Artist List

NerdKnight Music

Cas Hatchett

Icy Tim

Diavol

Anihuasca

Bravo562

Mode 7

Lemmedoya

Dripstick

JuseMC

KawaiiSteez

“Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and fun at **NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest**! Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate celebration of underground/independent music. This in-person event will take place on **Sat Oct 28 2023** at **20:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)**.

We have carefully chosen the perfect location for this epic event Sponsored by Project1840. Make your way to **1046 1/2 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90019** to experience the magic firsthand. This venue has been specially selected to create an atmosphere that will transport you to a world where music and artistry collide.

Whether you’re a fan of nerd core, trap, r&b or conscious rap, you’ll be treated to an array of performances that will make your heart sing. Our talented lineup of musicians will take you on a journey through time and space, bringing to life the melodies that have captured our imaginations.

So grab your friends and, and get ready to rock out at **NerdKnight Music Presents: OktoberQuest**! This is an event you don’t want to miss. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night filled with music and excitement!”

A Weekend at the 2023 SoCal Gaming Expo 12 Jun 2023 5:06 AM (last year)

I spent a weekend checking out the sights and sounds provided by the So Cal Gaming Expo. It's been a good while since I've been to a video game convention, and it felt good to be back. I showed up about half an hour past opening, but the line still led out the door. The early morning sun made the wait feel a bit longer than it actually was. Held over the weekend of May 6, 7 at the Ontario Convention Center in Southern California.

The event had a large focus on vendors with several large rows to peruse, including the requisite video games, from the NES era, up to the latest Switch games. There were also a healthy amount of artists selling a variety of wares, from stuffed animals to buttons and keychains. A few booths were even selling brand new retro video games.

There were a few other things to do with your time. Several video game tournaments were running throughout the day. A Cosplay contest was held as well, and many of those cosplayers were walking their way through the convention for much of the day.

Along one row were the various presenters that would be speaking on panels throughout both days of the show. I sat in on the Pat the NES Punk panel and learned about his upcoming N64 review book.

There were also several VA artists from well known video games and anime, including Maggie Robertson, voice of Lady Dimitrescu of Resident Evil fame. She was taller than me, which fits the character, but I am a short man so that was not a tough barrier to cross.

A large section of CRT televisions sat in the middle of the floor, with a huge variety of games of previous console generations. Tony Hawk to Halo, Mario Kart, to an older version of Mario Kart. Classic stuff.

The star of this event as with many game collector conventions was the wide variety of vendors. I spent the most time checking out the wares of various vendors soaking in the variety of products, both new and old, that were selling from the many booths.

I ended up grabbing a few trinkets from several of the vendors. I'm not exactly in the market for any major collectibles at the moment, but have a hard time saying no to some of the cool and cute little items that adorn many of the artists' booths.

I mentioned tournaments, and there were many of them, from classic arcade games, to the most popular of the weekend, the Smash Bros Ultimate tournament. There was a variety of trophies on display before being awarded to the winners.

Overall I enjoyed my time at the event, which had a fair bit of variety for game fans of many types, as well as fans of the personalities surrounding the retro gaming and collecting community. I hope to see this event continue to grow in the future, and hopefully they might add some video game music acts at SCGE2024.

Thank you to the folks at SCGE for providing press passes so GM4A can cover this event.

The Legend of Zelda Hip Hop Remix - 'His Destiny' Music Video by MODE 7, the video game inspired Los Angeles rapper 12 May 2023 1:03 AM (last year)

A new Zelda is here, and with it, Mode 7 brings back a classic theme from Legend of Zelda Link to the Past! the new single, ‘His Destiny’ is based on Seal of Seven Maidens, the opening theme to the legendary SNES game. Mode 7 embodies the hero of light as he drops a couple verses about the journey to defeat evil, regain the power of the triforce, and bring peace to the land of Hyrule. Watch the new music video below, or head over to the new Mode 7 YouTube channel and subscribe for future music releases.

The track ‘His Destiny’ is the latest single from the new 777 mixtape. On the heels of ‘Only Together’ in February, and popular Super Mario Bros. 3 remix ‘Pipe Land’ in April, Mode 7 returns with the release of His Destiny (Legend of Zelda Link to the Past) a hip hop remix of the theme ‘Seal of Seven Maidens’ aka the introduction music, originally written by the legendary Koji Kondo.

You can find more about Mode 7 right here on GM4A. You can find Mode 7’s music on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Amazon Music, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp. Mode 7 can be found on social media on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Level Up! concert pays Tribute to Game Music by Women and BIPOC Composers June 3rd in Los Angeles 10 May 2023 4:14 PM (last year)

Free yourself up for Saturday, June 3rd, and make your way to Los Angeles to witness Level Up! a one night concert that focuses in on the women and black, indigenous, and people of color who create the memorable soundtracks found in a huge variety of award winning games and game soundtracks.

The program for this event feels like quite an eclectic mix of music from different game genres that will be fascinating to hear live. Level Up! will take place at the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall in Northridge, California. Tickets and info can be found on the Upcoming Shows page on the Helix Collective website.

Level Up! features game music from the globally popular Assassin’s Creed and the Riot Games Cinematic 2023 to revolutionary indie games including Telling Lies and Dungeon Defenders. The music will be played live to select game highlights throughout the show.  Helix Collective and the Composers Diversity Collective present this concert featuring a roster of BIPOC and women composers, shining a light on some of the biggest talents in video game music today. 

Featuring video game music by Winifred Phillips (Assassin’s Creed Liberation), Nainita Desai (Telling Lies, Immortality), Edwin Wendler (Bladed Fury, Honor of Kings), Jessica Curry (Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs), Afshin Cohen (Dungeon Defenders), Chase Bethea (Stardander School for Witches), Sid De La Cruz (Unearthing Mars 2: The Ancient War), Min He (Zombie Rollerz), and George Shaw (Hop On - Lunar Revel 2023 Cinematic Riot Games). 

Attendees will travel through the musical worlds of games like Assassin’s Creed Liberation, set in 18th Century French Louisiana, Telling Lies with a 21st Century FBI agent piecing together a mystery and Ancient China in Bladed Fury. Helix will celebrate 2023 with Riot Games’ Hop On - Lunar Revel Cinematic, fight the undead in Zombie Rollerz, unravel the mysteries of the past in Unearthing Mars 2: The Ancient War, save the land of Etheria in Dungeon Defenders, survive the horrors of Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, and learn how to wield magic in the Stardander School for Witches. The concert will be a sound exploration of the individual worlds of each game.

This event isn’t too far from my neck of the words, so maybe I’ll see you there!

Super Mario Movie Music Video - Super Mario Bros. Rap by Mode 7 4 Apr 2023 5:47 PM (last year)

Super Mario, the plumber behind Mario Kart, Mario Baseball, and now the Super Mario Movie! Mode 7 pays tribute to the man behind the mustache, in anticipation of the new Super Mario Bros Movie. The nerdcore hip hop style of Mode 7’s rap on top of remixed video game music makes the perfect track to get hyped up and take a nostalgia trip on some of Super Mario’s many memorable moments.

Pipe Land, the latest single from the new 777 Mixtape, references Super Mario games from Arcade Donkey Kong all the way up to Super Mario Odyssey on Nintendo Switch. This video game rap music video brings a wealth of classic references to the many highlights and some hidden secrets in the Mario Bros universe. Watch the video here on Game Music 4 All, or watch and subscribe on the new Mode 7 YouTube Channel.

Mode 7 is a rapper, writer, and musician from Los Angeles, California. With the brand new 777 Mixtape, along with recent live performances in Anaheim and Pomona, Mode 7 is bringing VGM and nerdcore rap all over Southern California!

You can find more about Mode 7 on his bio page: bio.site/mode7 You can also support Mode 7 by following his music on Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Apple Music, and Instagram.

From the Arcade, to the original Nintendo Entertainment System, through the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS / 3DS, and of course the N64, Gamecube, GBA, Wii, Wii U, and even a mobile game, cartoons, manga, anime, a live action movie, and now a fully realized CGI animated film. Here we go!

Shotty and Mode 7 live in Pomona, CA Friday March 31st A Night of Video Game Rock and Hip Hop 10 Mar 2023 5:37 AM (2 years ago)

Buckle up folks! Another nerdy event in Los Angeles is coming your way courtesy of the rockers known as Shotty.

Shotty, along with video game rapper Mode 7 are performing a FREE EVENT at The Shop in Downtown Pomona the night of Friday, March 31st, 2023!

RSVP to the event on the EventBrite page for this event!

Free Event

Friday, March 31st 7PM

266 W. 2nd St. Pomona, CA 91766

Video Games, Live Music, and more!

Shotty is a 2-piece rock & pop & sparkles band from Seattle, now living in LA. When not rocking out, they're making videos, playing video games, collecting toys, and leveling up.

Learn more: shottylovesyou.com

Mode 7 is a rapper and writer from Los Angeles, California, taking hip hop to another level with his original style of clever but conscious game music inspired hip hop.

Learn more: bio.site/mode7

The Shop x 3 Bit Games is the place in Downtown Pomona for every nerdy need you could imagine, and more. Comics, Cards, Video Games, Music, and Live Events!

Learn more: linktr.ee/3bitgames