Flatbush Zombies & The Underachievers cheer to 10 years of ‘Clockwork Indigo’ in LA

On October 16th, 2024, The Novo in Los Angeles evolved into an active epicenter of the psychedelic rap and the East Coast hip hop communities, as Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers celebrated the tenth anniversary of their collaborative Clockwork Indigo EP.

This reunion show marked a milestone for both groups, particularly for The Underachievers, who took the stage for the first time since 2019.

The evening kicked off with Punching Bag, a lively two-man act from Pomona, California, consisting of Askari and Jahsy. They energized the crowd with tracks from their debut EP, Gym Rat.

Following their performance, DJ and producer Power Pleasant turned the venue up, presenting Power Pleasant & Friends. A pillar of New York hip hop and founding member of Pro Era, he brought out special guests, including Denzel Curry, further hyping the serotonin of the show.

The Underachievers (aka, Issa Gold and AK The Savior) took over as one of the headliners, delivering bangers that came from their classic albums such as Indigoism, Lords of Flatbush 3, and Renaissance. Their return to the stage was met with roaring, exciting, fast, and loud energy, as fans went crazy over the duo’s distinctive Brooklyn style and lyrics.

Following their set was Flatbush Zombies, consisting of Meechy Darko, Jewice, and Erick The Architect.

They fired up the crowd with high-energy mosh pits, jumping, and rapping with their hits from albums like Vacation In Hell, BetterOffDead, and 3001: A Laced Odyssey.

The best part of the night came when both groups united for a collaborative performance of tracks from the Clockwork Indigo EP — was released on October 17th, 2014! The EP, recorded with Electric KooLade Records, features tracks like “Butterfly Effect” and “Benefit Concert”. The camaraderie between the artists was tangible as they traded verses and shared the stage, representing the creative synergy that originally inspired their collab.

The story behind the Clockwork Indigo project began in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where Issa Gold and Jewice lived in the same building, living on music and hallucinogens for nearly five years. This shared journey led them to envision a tour together, laying the groundwork for their future in joining forces. Meechy Darko and Erick The Architect, longtime friends, further solidified the bond between the two groups.

As the show came to an end, the crowd was vibing (and maybe a bit sweaty), maintaining the spirit of independent hip hop.

What a night… a victorious return to the stage of two great east coast groups, celebrating of a decade’s worth of creativity and Brooklyn bred-and-raised roots.

Photography by Celeste Basich

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