Popular nerdcore rapper will perform a unique set honoring video games at the 14th annual awards
NEW YORK – December 18, 2024 – The New York Videogame Critics Circle (NYVGCC) welcomes Mega Ran as the musical headliner for the New York Game Awards, who is debuting a brand new original song just for the event. The 2025 awards show takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan. IGN is an official media partner for this year’s event and will stream the show on its channels for those who can’t attend in person.
Raheem Jarbo, known by the stage name Mega Ran, is a former middle school teacher who blends education, hip-hop and gaming to complement his unique rhyming style. He’s contributed to various video game soundtracks, including Mortal Kombat 1, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, River City Girls 2 and others. He released three albums this year, including “Black Materia Rebirth,” an ode to the Final Fantasy franchise.
“Raheem’s background as an educator and deep love for video games resonated with our organization and made the decision to bring him in as a performer a no-brainer,” said Harold Goldberg, Co-founder and President, NYVGCC. “I like to describe his Mega Ran persona as a nerdcore transmitter of video game lore, and we can’t wait to see how he captures our audience with his set paying tribute to this medium we all love.”
“2024 was such a monumental year for me as an artist and father, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2025 than at the New York Game Awards,” said Raheem “Mega Ran” Jarbo, musician. “I can’t wait to play a special new song and some classics at the show.”
More details about the 14th annual awards will be shared in January, starting with nominations being revealed during a livestream on the Paley Center for Media YouTube channel on Tuesday, Jan. 7. This year’s event will honor Remedy Entertainment’s Creative Director Sam Lake as the Andrew Yoon Legend Award recipient.
Tickets for the New York Game Awards are available for purchase through Eventbrite. Reserved seats are $80, with an additional ticket available for $100 that grants access to the awards afterparty and free drinks.
Proceeds from ticket sales help fund ongoing educational programs provided by NYVGCC for 2025. For more information on the NY Game Awards and other NYVGCC initiatives, please visit the website: https://nygamecritics.com/
About New York Videogame Critics Circle
Based in Manhattan, the New York Videogame Critics Circle is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit multicultural organization comprised of 40 of the finest videogame critics, writers, reporters and bloggers in the nation. Members of the NYVGCC give back to their communities by providing scholarships, classes, mentoring and community outreach to NY school students. The New York Videogame Critics Circle sees great benefit in advocating for those who are less fortunate.
