Email Author Ru Johnson

2012 Stories by Ru Johnson

• Meek Mill

  published August 2, 2012

  You're probably more familiar with Maybach Music Group signee Meek Mill than you think: His Dreamchasers series has generated some of... More >>

• Mid Wes_T & Ze

  published July 19, 2012

  Apothic Nights, Vol. 1 is a collaboration between a pair of underdogs from two different crews: Mid Wes_T from Da Krew and Zé... More >>

• Mid Wes_T & Ze

  published July 12, 2012

  Apothic Nights, Vol. 1 is a collaboration between a pair of underdogs from two different crews: Mid Wes_T from Da Krew and Zé... More >>

• Big K.R.I.T.

  published July 12, 2012

  Big K.R.I.T., the Mississippian with the silken rap voice and candy-coated production, will roar into the Mile High City this week with fresh... More >>

• Rapper Myke Charles has talent and charisma to spare

  published July 12, 2012

  People know my face and name from Sing Off, and it still makes me blush so hard," says Myke Charles with a bashful laugh, his face... More >>

• Download two new tracks from the Foodchain

  published Jul 06, 2012

  See Also: The Foodchain pushes its live energy into the studio Hot on the heels of its latest release, Brunch, the Foodchain is back with a whole bunch of new music. The crew will be releasing one ... More >>

• Kid Vegas

  published July 5, 2012

  Between opener "Tuna Roll," in which he espouses how raw his rhymes are (not the only sushi reference here, by the way), and "Eat," where the... More >>

• Minor Disturbance slams off with Albuquerque Youth Slam Team to benefit wildfire relief

  published Jul 02, 2012

  With fires raging across Colorado, many artists are putting their talents by holding fundraisers or using events to simply send good vibes to those affected by the fires. Tonight Denver's youth slam t... More >>

• Manifest

  published June 28, 2012

  Despite clocking in at a hefty eighteen tracks, The Owner's Manual, the new joint from Manifest, makes for easy listening. Working with... More >>

• Review: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at Westword Music Showcase, 6/23/12

  published Jun 26, 2012

  MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWS @ WESTWORD MUSIC SHOWCASE | 6.23.12 Macklemore and Ryan Lewis came out to chants of "Macklemore! Macklemore!" at the 2012 Westword Music Showcase from the packed and adoring ... More >>

• Ru with a view: A mainstage travelogue from our Westword Music Showcase emcee, Ru Johnson

  published Jun 25, 2012

  Because I live in the club district, for me, the Westword Music Showcase started around 5 p.m. the day before and went on through the evening. Outside my window, the workers toiled and clanged away ... More >>

• That's a Rap: Westword Music Showcase edition

  published Jun 23, 2012

  Happy Westword Music Showcase weekend, friends, Romans, hip-hop heads! This weekend promises to highlight all the reasons why the music scene in Denver houses some of the best talent in the country.... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Macklemore on his new record and what rap album he'd take with him on the mothership

  published Jun 22, 2012

  The last time we caught up with Seattle rapper Macklemore (due tomorrow at the Westword Music Showcase on the main stage), he was working on his latest album with remarkable fervor -- he chose to sk... More >>

• A Celebration to Remember

  published June 14, 2012

  Although Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation -- the document declaring that all slaves be freed -- on January 1, 1863, the news... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Local hip-hop acts pick their favorite Tribe tracks and muse on the influence of Q-Tip

  published Jun 20, 2012

  This Saturday, some of the hottest local talent will be getting busy on fifteen stages throughout the Golden Triangle for the annual Westword Music Showcase. After the Showcase wraps, Q-Tip, hip-hop... More >>

• Club Scout: Electrobot Thursdays at The Church

  published Jun 20, 2012

  Each and every Thursday, DJ Tower (aka Tim Alexander) and his friends turn The Church into a haven for electro and retro music for Electrobot Thursdays. DJ Tower has been cultivating the night for qui... More >>

• Saturday nights at Milk Bar are all about the goth

  published Jun 18, 2012

  Some of the stereotypes are true: Pretty much everyone is in all black, many are wearing dark and heavy eye make-up and every now and then, the DJ stops a tune with a vertebrae-shattering guitar rif... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  The Zombie Tarot will give you insight...and nightmares

  published Jun 15, 2012

  Tarot is one of the oldest forms of "duckering," or fortune-telling. There's a formulaic method to throwing tarot -- numerous spreads, interpretations, symbols -- but the premise remains the same. And... More >>

• Myke Charles & DJ Chonz

  published June 14, 2012

  Lift Off, the latest effort from Myke Charles, is better than good. In fact, it's probably one of the best projects to come out of the... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Fresh Colorado hip-hop from Pries, Solomon Words, Luke Skyy, Miss K. and Al Catone

  published Jun 13, 2012

  This week, we've got a ton of music for you to catch up on. With all the sunshine, parties and pretty girls on the horizon, someone's got to be out there making the soundtrack for the summer, and th... More >>

• Juneteenth Music Festival to be the biggest and best yet

  published Jun 12, 2012

  Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, effectively ending slavery for all Americans. But the news did not reach Texas until June of 1865, when Union General Gordon G... More >>

• Summer Guide 2012: Juneteenth Music Festival

  published Jun 11, 2012

  Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. But the news did not reach those still enslaved in Texas until June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger stormed i... More >>

• Scene and heard: Things were just as hot at the Summer Jam after party at Club Dreams

  published Jun 10, 2012

  The last time we were at Club Dreams, the line was down the block, security was barking orders, DJ Topshelf was rocking the entire place and guys and girls alike were doing all they could to see and... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Rick Ross at Summer Jam XV at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre, 6/8/12

  published Jun 09, 2012

  SUMMER JAM XV with RICK ROSS @ COMFORT DENTAL | 6.8.12 Rick Ross is young, rich and famous; he's an international player with so many hits under his belt they might account for his almost-sluggish ... More >>

• After American Idol, Su Charles (now SuCh) is back to show off her Stretch Marks

  published Jun 07, 2012

  Su Charles pulls you in with her voice, charm, and deep personal experiences. After an ill-fated stint on the latest season of American Idol, Charles was inspired and more determined than ever to ma... More >>