Thursday July 9 @ The Drunken Unicorn
Speakeasy presents…
Chuck Strangers, AKAI SOLO, Theravada, Munik + Leekmatic
8:00pm / $18 - $20/ 21+
Chuck Strangers is a Brooklyn-born emcee and producer who helped define the early 2010s New York rap renaissance as a core member of the Pro Era collective. Known for dusty, sample-rich beats and a laid-back but razor-sharp flow, he first gained broader attention producing key cuts for Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era crew before stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. His work always balanced reverence for classic East Coast boom-bap with a personal touch that felt both nostalgic and fresh.
In 2024, Chuck released his deeply personal LP, A Forsaken Lover’s Plea, on Lex Records. This project showed him trading off verses with fellow torchbearers like Joey Bada$$, Remy Banks, Erick the Architect (of Flatbush Zombies), and Obii Say, and leaning on production from trusted collaborators including The Alchemist and Animoss. He’s also been busy outside his own projects, scoring placements and features on albums by the likes of Roc Marciano, Eyedress, Pink Siifu, and even adding verses to work with Ka, tying him into some of the most intriguing currents in underground hip-hop right now.
Beyond solo releases and guest verses, Chuck still embodies that Pro Era spirit in his collaborations, and he continues to push his sound forward with frequent work alongside producers and emcees who value substance over flash. He recently released a single titled BMOP produced by Evidence, which keeps that momentum alive, bridging his gritty New York roots with a broader, more introspective view of where he’s at as an artist in a crowded landscape. 2026 will see a highly anticipated follow-up to his 2024 album.
Working amidst a renaissance in underground rap, AKAI SOLO is both part of that wave and a man apart. Leader of the east coast collective, Tase Grip, the NYC native has collaborated extensively with many of the scene’s stalwarts (including Earl Sweatshirt, Pink Siifu, Armand Hammer, & Navy Blue), but, true to his name, has always navigated his own course.
Theravada, often stylized as THRVD, is an American rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. Born Xenophon (sometimes referred to simply as "Xen"), he has emerged as a notable figure in the underground hip-hop scene, particularly within the sample-based and producer-driven subgenres. Alongside his cousin and frequent collaborator Rob Chambers (stylized as rbchmbrs), Theravada co-founded 2000 ENT., an independent hip-hop label that has been pushing boundaries in the genre for over a decade.
Theravada initially started as a DJ and producer, crafting beats and manning the decks for friends and collaborating with Chambers, releasing instrumental projects as early as 2013. By this time, he had deliberated rapping as part of his performances, driven partly by necessity when he couldn’t find emcees to match his production vision. His debut projects, "Xen Griffey" and "Xenny Hardaway", dropped in 2017, followed by "State of the Art" in 2018 and the expansive 91-track "Xennis Rodman" in 2019. His work is characterized by moody, cerebral flows, spacey beats, and a DIY ethos, often chopping samples from vinyl and DJ'ing his own performances.
His discography includes collaborations with prominent underground artists like Earl Sweatshirt, Armand Hammer, Navy Blue, AKAI SOLO, and YUNGMORPHEUS, with whom he released "Up Against the Wall; A Degree of Lunacy" in 2022. Albums like "Strange Voice" (2022) and "My Own 2 Hands" (2022) showcase his knack for blending psychedelic, jazz-infused production with introspective lyricism. Theravada’s name, inspired by the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, reflects a unique personal identity he embraces, having grown up feeling like an outsider due to his Greek heritage and unconventional name.
Known for his prolific output and cult following, Theravada continues to evolve, balancing raw authenticity with experimental flair, making him a standout voice in New York’s indie rap landscape.
