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Saturday, December 12, 2009: a day that will live in infamy and folklore throughout the Richmond area. Despite an epic performance as impromptu headliners, Bugs Raleigh finds themselves persona non grata, receiving a lifetime ban from The Triple on West Broad street after "bug bombing" the venue.

Originally billed as a mixtape release party for The Last Emporer, Bugs Raleigh was thrust into the role of headlining act due to a transportation snafu that prevented The Last Emporer from making it to the performance. The roster of performers was shuffled and a last minute addition was made, delaying the start time, but building hype around the Bugs Raleigh set. Rumors began swirling that Bugs Raleigh was bringing a veritable hit squad of lyrical mercenaries that included not just the trio of Lou Tully, Chungo Rock and Zach Breezy, but the likes of Sloppy Joe, Injer, Oso Negro, and a highly anticipated reunion with Sensei Mirage.

What followed next will never be done justice by words alone.

The show kicked off with Elevate Music, promoting a release of their own, performing a solid set that began to energize the crowd. That made way for the last minute addition of Black Liquid, a gritty MC with an unparalleled hype man. As Black Liquid performed songs about going to sleep and never waking up and drinking strictly Hurricane, his well-dressed, gesticulating, professional wrestling-esque hype man did standing front flips, jumping splits and hoisted a heavyweight championship belt above his head.

Then came Pravda.

How can I describe this....

Pravda is like the deformed hunchback from the movie 300. He's loyal to the cause, but just can't do it. After a room-clearing performance, he attempted to close his set with a track that included crowd involvement. Unfortunately, Pravda offended Oso Negro before the song even got underway with a slighting comment to people with GEDs. Oso emerged front and center with a mic in his hand. A battle ensued. It went something like this:

Oso got on Pravda's final beat. Oso then ate Pravda's breakfast, lunch and dinner. The end.

After order was restored, the time came for Bugs Raleigh to take over. Per usual, the set started off with a banger, and the tone was set for the rest of the night. Songs with back and forths, posse cuts and dub step freestyles overran the venue as Bugs Raleigh and Sloppy Joe could not be contained. Everyone got in the mix as the finale approached. "Popeye" aka "Spinach Squad" barely got underway when a fog machine engulfed The Triple to the point where you couldn't see the hand in front of you. Deemed a safety hazard, the owner shut the place down, cutting Bugs Raleigh off a song short.

Heated arguments ensued between promoters, participants and the ownership as people were forced to leave. A Disco Stu look-a-like, a mock heavyweight champ, and a roughly 11-foot tall man were the highlights of the dispersing crowd as Brandon Fisher projectile vomited, creating a rainy, puke mine field at The Triple's entrance.

The after party moved to the house of Mr. Mason Jones, who spun till daybreak. The morning only brought a greater resolve to do it all again.

Although it may be impossible to recreate what occurred that night, it sure as hell won't go without giving it a try.

Watch out for the devil.

Sensei Mirage, ninja vanish.

Music Now: Everything Bugs Raleigh and Sloppy Joe have ever created.