Billy Woods & ELUCID performing at 191 Toole in Tucson on November 3, 2026. Photo by Aurora Beltran
On Tuesday, November 3rd, I attended the Armand Hammer show with my father at 191 Toole in Tucson. Initially, we thought the show would feature only Armand Hammer, so we were pleasantly surprised to see Tucson-based rapper Psypiritual and producer The Lasso take the stage at 8:00 p.m. Following their performance, Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal performed at 8:45 to 9:30 p.m., before Armand Hammer closed out the night.
The production from The Lasso was incredible. Watching him mix and create beats right in front of us gave me a completely different appreciation for the production process. Psypiritual, a latin rapper, had a great flow, and together they performed their collaborative EP, LOS HONGOS. Hearing the project live inspired me to look into their other projects.
I had previously listened to Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal’s collaborative album, DOOMED!, released earlier in August, so it was exciting to unexpectedly see them perform it live. Open Mike Eagle brings a witty and vulnerable element to his music, with lyrics that range from genuinely funny observations or comments, to surprisingly emotional and relatable moments. His stage presence was welcoming, and he frequently interacted with the audience.
Kenny Segal and Open Mike Eagle mentioned that they have been creatively collaborating for around 2 decades, although this was their first proper live performance together. Their chemistry on stage felt completely natural, and they played off each other so effortlessly. Kenny Segal’s production is also very distinct and atmospheric. Some of his beats reminded me of MF DOOM’s work, which he actually acknowledged during the performance. I especially appreciated his use of instrumentation, including horns and piano, as well as his ability to adapt his production to complement different artists.
After their set, I noticed that Open Mike Eagle had contributed to the Adventure Time soundtrack, one of my favorite childhood cartoon shows. I thought this was such a funny and unexpected connection, so I approached him at his merch table, bought a shirt, and asked him about it. He told me he appeared in the episode “Son of Rap Bear” and later returned for the spin-off series Fionna and Cake. It was a really cool interaction and an unexpected highlight of the night.
Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal performing at 191 Toole in Tucson on November 3, 2026. Photo by Aurora Beltran
Armand Hammer began their performance at 9:45 p.m., and they came in with a bang. The stage was filled with fog and illuminated by red lighting, immediately establishing the dark, abstract and atmospheric aesthetic that is a characteristic of their music. The lighting also complemented Billy Woods’ famously private persona, keeping much of his face hidden throughout the performance.
Consisting of rappers Billy woods and ELUCID, Armand Hammer has become one of the most influential duos in underground hip-hop. Known for their experimental production and complex lyricism, their music often explores politics, history, identity and uncomfortable aspects of society. They have collaborated with notable artists and producers, including The Alchemist, Earl Sweatshirt and JPEGMAFIA, while continuing to develop a sound that is entirely their own. Their willingness to challenge conventional rap structures and incorporate their abstract way of storytelling has helped distinguish them from the mainstream rap game.
Billy Woods and ELUCID complement each other incredibly well, balancing each others delivery and lyrical styles throughout their songs. Their verses flow seamlessly into one another, creating a dynamic that makes their collaborations feel cohesive while still allowing each other individually shine. Their delivery is unpredictable, shifting between conversational and spoken-word-like performances, featuring their very distinct voices. Seeing them perform in person highlighted just how much of their music relies on pacing and lyrical delivery. They commanded the stage without needing choreography. Their chemistry and the atmosphere created by the production was all they needed to grab the audiences attention.
Billy Woods & ELUCID performing at 191 Toole in Tucson on November 3, 2026. Photo by Aurora Beltran
They performed several songs from their 2025 album, Mercy, along with tracks from previous projects and some of their solo work. Some of my favorites from the night were “Woke Up and Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die,” “Misery,” “Stonefruit,” and “Super Nintendo.” Hearing these songs live gave me an even greater appreciation for the layers within their music and the way their lyrics and production work together.
I was honestly surprised that the crowd was not larger, considering how influential both artists have become within underground hip-hop. Nevertheless, Armand Hammer delivered an incredible performance. I have been a fan of theirs for quite some time, but seeing them live was an entirely new feeling. Their ability to create such an immersive atmosphere while delivering complex and thought provoking lyrics is what makes them stand out. Overall, it was an amazing night of music, and getting to experience it alongside my father made it even more memorable.