“The Enigma in the Bathrobe” was the first collaborative project between the two now Oakland-based artists, Vese and Versâam. The tape “tells a tale of two coasts,” as East Bay Express writer De’Andre Ball described it—an introspective fusion of Vese’s New York-East Coast upbringing and Oakland-West Coast adulthood. And, while these two rival coasts often entail a heavily differentiated sound when pertaining to Hip-Hop, the loop heavy production of Versâam is able to tie in a deadly “Shook Ones/Mobb Deep” style instrumental, with a sprinkle of DJ Quik’s West Coast G-Funk.

On May 23rd, friends and family gathered to support Vese’s debut album, entering a transformed version of 3319 Marché that evoked 1990s Bronx, New York. The warm aroma of Omar’s Kingston Jamaican Jerk Chicken mingled with smoky Cuban cigars, while the sounds of Stefon Marbury dunking in 30fps on a Sega Dreamcast made the night feel authentically New York—and therefore, authentically Vese.

To close the theatrical evening, the duo performed the album front to back for a packed house. Vese entered the ring like a prime Mike Tyson—except instead of satin trunks and gloves, he wore a bathrobe, Timberland boots, and a studio microphone.