Amplify Under 21 Open Mic
Pratt Street
Hartford
June 25, 2024
The Amplify Open Mic held on the famous red bricks of Pratt Street in Hartford Tueday night was the first of the season, with more events planned in July and August. The series began last year, and serves as a means to spotlight some of the up-and-coming talent that the city and surrounding suburbs have to offer.
The first performer I saw went by the stage name Kallie from Tolland. She described her music to me as “fun, maybe theatrical a little bit, a little rock and a little jazzy.”
She forgot to say soulful, with a heaviness to her voice that belied her young years. Kallie’s voice sounded like it came from the earth, drawn up deep like water into roots and reverberating down Pratt Street. The surrounding buildings provided an amphitheater effect, increasing the fullness of the sound until it felt like I was enveloped by the warm weight of her voice.
It was a day of firsts, as one of the evening’s performers was making her performance debut at Amplify: Jalayah Hall, known by her performance name J‑Lab, took to the mic as the sun began to set over the buildings behind her.
The beat came in, a smooth, vibed-out riff on Alicia Keys’ classic “Unthinkable.” She let the beat ride for almost a minute, slowly building anticipation until she slid onto the track in silky smooth fashion.
J‑Lab’s performance was impressive not just because of her lyrical prowess as she celebrated the wonder of a woman she loved, but also because of her musicality. Many rap artists simply talk over a beat when they perform. But J‑Lab matched her pitch and timbre to the beat, delivering a mellow vocal sound that blended with the background music without being overwhelmed.
J‑Lab was so good that not only one, but two different passersby stopped to join her performance. One walked by and stopped to give her dap while she performed.
I didn’t see the second one until his voice boomed in my ears.
“I don’t even know you, but you’re jamming out here!” shouted a tall man who was dancing behind me. “You got a future in this, for real.”
There was a real sense of excitement from seeing a young performer having her talent validated during her first performance. I greatly enjoyed the song, and began to imagine being able to say someday that I was there to see J‑Lab’s first performance.
When I talked to her after the song, she made it clear that this isn’t just a hobby. Although this was her first public performance, the 16-year-old has been rapping for seven years. She came out to the open mic to seek bigger opportunities. “Music is something I really want to pursue,” she said.
Chip McCabe, the director of placemaking and events for the Hartford Business Improvement District, told me that Pratt Street will host more events throughout the summer. There’s live music and salsa dancing on Friday nights, and lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays begin in July. I’m looking forward to those events, but mostly I can’t wait for the next open mic to see what new talents will appear on the red brick road.
NEXT
Pratt Street Historical District hosts Tessa Brown and Austin James on June 28.
Jamil heads into the AC to see a new film at Cinestudio.
