Hail Mary Mallon takes over The Social

Chloe Lomelli

Photojournalism Article
April 13, 2015

Downtown’s The Social got some fierce DJ cuts and coded metaphorical rhymes last night March 5. Hail Mary Mallon and Dj Abilities’ sold-out hip-hop show went on until about midnight and left fans more than satisfied. Hail Mary Mallon is the duo consisting of rappers Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic. 

They are on tour for the second album, “Bestiary”.

DJ Abilities cutting it up on the tables,
he gave a solid performance
and blew away fans. 

The two, along with Abilities, immediately got to business and opened with “Jonathan” the first song off their latest album. Instantly, the crowd went wild and the hands in the air and head nodding began. This was the perfect show for the longtime, die-hard fans. Even those who are not familiar with either Dj Abilities or HMM would have a good time. HMM’s newest album incorporates abstract raps, heavy bass and energetic deliveries.

Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic come to 

The Social and rocked the venue. 

The duo is on tour as Hail Mary Mallon and 

promoting their newest album “Bestiary.”

The duo did a good job at involving the audience in their performance. They shook hands with fans while on stage and had them shout out lyrics during songs like “Dollywood” and “Kiln”.  Both Rock and Sonic had an immense stage presence and only stopped moving to allow Abilities to show off what he does best. Abilities cut mixed songs, and at one point he had the venue shaking with bass. Along with Rock’s all-over-the-place hand movements and Sonic’s peculiar faces, it was almost impossible to look away.

In the audience was local emcee, BOXicle Jenkins. He grew up listening to Rock and seemed to be having a good time. It was easy to tell Rock really touched his fans when people came up to him just to tell him he is “the greatest rapper”.

Not only did HMM do songs off their latest album, they performed songs from their solo projects. Sonic did songs from his newest album “Alice in Thunderdome” and Rock performed classics like “Coffee” and “None Shall Pass”. 

HMM performing their single “Jonathan”. 

It was hard not to enjoy everyone on stage. Noticeably, HMM has put a lot of energy into this tour. This was the 35th show of the tour, and according to Rock it was “all a blur.” To him the show may have been blurred vision, but for the audience will always be a night to remember.