Rusko, stage name for Christopher Mercer, who doubles as a dubstep record producer and DJ, has already made himself a household name. The artist from the other side of the Atlantic can afford to relax with the knowledge that he will draw in hoards of devoted fans at any show where he makes an appearance.
Yet, those who are familiar with Rusko’s fast-paced style and immense stage presence know that Rusko would never play anything less than his best.
When Rusko arrived in Baltimore on April 28 to play a show at Ram’s Head Live, with the talented opener Doorly, the venue was filled to the brim.
After a quick survey of the energized crowd, it was obvious that people from around the entire mid-Atlantic region came out to see him promote his latest, and surprisingly, his first full-length album O.M.G released on May 4, already inspiring even the most averse to electronic music to give it a shot.
The attention Rusko has been receiving is due to an amalgamation of reasons. For one, the recent surge in popularity in electronic music has brought those just learning about the genre to the names that have shaped the direction the music has taken. Dubstep without Rusko is like drum without bass.
But, it’s also partially due to the recent LA transplant’s new experimentation within the genre itself.
Rusko has entered the mainstream by contributing to the recent Britney Spears album, which though overall has been mostly positive for the artist, has left many of his core fans scratching their heads in confusion.
But before those fans are able to devolve into arguments as to whether the musical genius has “sold out” they are reassured by his most recent project.
O.M.G. is an attempt to broaden both the artist’s and his fans’ musical horizons. The album includes other electro styles like disco, house and garage. He’s also decided to incorporate guests of an entirely different elk, including Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors, Italian dance duo Crookers and Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane.
The devoted lovers of the more classic Rusko, however, were not disappointed by the show, a perfect harmony of the old and the new; the straight-ahead and his more off-the-beaten path tracks.
“Woo Boost,” “Hammertime” and his other hits were, of course, the artist’s crowd pleasers. But he wasn’t afraid to stray into the less familiar and promote his latest works, like “Hold On” and “Scareware.”
Rusko’s laconic jumping and pounding on the stage was perfectly suited to his awe-inspiring show. The light show and stage effects were fantastical, especially as the letters of his name, as electronic lit-up machines, moved up and down during his performance.
The music was perfect for a swarm of people ready to dance incessantly. The DJ’s transitions were seamless, one song leading into the other, as he played a variety of his tunes with finesse.
Even the song selection felt perfect. He never picked a song so obscure that it would lose the audience’s attention but also successfully introduced the musical taste he’s been experimenting with as of late.
Overall, the Ram’s Head Live performance showcasing both Rusko’s old and new was phenomenal, or as audience member freshman Amelie Nkodo remarked, “Man, he killed it!” As O.M.G. reaches an even larger audience than it already has, Baltimore will be begging for yet another show.
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