Casey Veggies, Kodie Shane and Buddy Turn Up Fresh Empire’s VIBE VSessions on the Sunset Strip

 “I’m all about the music. It’s just about the vibes tonight,” Casey Veggies announced triumphantly to the enthralled crowd of teenaged fans mobbed up around the stage when he emerged as the headliner of Fresh Empire’s VIBE VSessions special show set in the posh, intimate confines of Los Angeles club Hyde.

Opening his show with “Set it Off” from his 2015 debut studio full-length, Live & Grow, Veggies bounded across the small club stage, high-fiving the fans down front, many of whom rapped along to his every word.

The event, exclusive to teens 13-19, was part of Fresh Empire’s ongoing campaign to promote a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle, complete with free swag and an open soda/juice/water bar to help the hot crowd cool down.

Onstage, Casey Veggies blazed through an inspired and wide-ranging set, dipping into Live & Grow for “New Face$” and “Wonderful,” as well as reaching back to his Customized Greatly Vol. 3 mixtape for “Life Rhymes.”  Turning up the energy with “Tied Up,” the rapper ended the show with “Backflip,” much to the delight of the crowd.

Before he leaves the stage, he gives his fans an extra treat by debuting a brand new single featuring YG, telling everyone to watch out for its release in the near future. While a group of attendees had been selected through a raffle for a special meet and greet with Casey Veggies, he was mobbed after leaving the stage, turning the event into a meet and greet for everyone who wanted to stick around for some dap and a selfie with the native Los Angeles hero.

Atlanta’s Kodie Shane thrilled the crowd of young fans before Casey Veggies’ performance with her own red-hot, high-energy set. The 18-year-old hit the stage to the strains of the sultry “I Want To” from the 2016 Little Rocket EP, getting up close and personal with those posted up at the edge of the stage.

Her vivaciousness threatened to outpace the crowd, as she zipped from one end of the stage to the other, stopping at one point to put her pair of bright yellow sunglasses on a fan sitting off to the side.

Rolling out tracks including “Drip On My Walk,” “Sad” and “Losing Service,” the Lil Yachty protégée’s engaging set showed her to be more than ready for a much bigger spotlight sooner than later.

The first act of the night was Compton’s very own Buddy, fresh off the release of his Kaytranada-collab EP, Ocean & Montana. Spitting inspired bars on tracks including “Find Me” and “Shine,” his strong stage presence and easy, relaxed rapport with the audience started the night on just the right note.

With DJ Hed spinning bass-heavy hits throughout the show, the Los Angeles edition of Fresh Empire’s VIBE VSessions was a night that the lucky teens in attendance will never forget.