Blackalicious

The fifty greatest rap groups of all time

There's something great about a hip-hop group. From the beginning, it was never intended to be a solo endeavor; rap began in cyphers at block parties, and the first established rappers were components of a collective centered around the more important DJ. Even now that the rapper is the star, it's n ... More >>

The fifty greatest rap groups of all time: 50-26

There's something great about a hip-hop group. From the beginning, it was never intended to be a solo endeavor; rap began in cyphers at block parties, and the first established rappers were components of a collective centered around the more important DJ. Even now that the rapper is the star, it's n ... More >>

Here's what we're all listening to right now. What's rocking your world this week?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it's not surprising that the most common (and favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off we go, on and on about t ... More >>

The ten best concerts in Denver this weekend

Welcome to the weekend, amigos! We made it, and we've got another fine weekend of tunes to look forward to. From hip-hop and bluegrass to indie rock and southern rock, there's a variety of options, both local and national, to choose from. We've got all of the shows happening on the Front Range over ... More >>

New shows: Disco Biscuits, Passion Pit at 1STBANK, the Walkmen at the Ogden Theatre

As reported yesterday, the Disco Biscuits are playing three shows in Colorado after the first of the year at the Boulder Theater, Ogden Theatre and 1STBANK Center. And while that's arguably the biggest concert announcement of the week, it's not the only one. After cancelling its co-headlining date w ... More >>

Backbeat's top five spins: This is what we're listening to this week. What's on your playlist?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it shouldn't be surprising to find that the most common (and mutually favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off ... More >>

Weekend's best live bets: Lucero, Flipper, the Ting Tings, Say Anything, Jewel and more

Ah, yes, welcome to the weekend! Don't you just love living in the Mile High City? Besides the glorious weather we're enjoying right now, we have yet another weekend filled with a ridiculous number of enticing options: Lucero kicks off its two-night stand at the Bluebird, in addition to an in-store ... More >>

SXSW travelogue: Wheelchair Sports Camp march for peace and makes dough busking

Farewell, Austin: Kalyn here checking in for Wheelchair Sports Camp and Company's last night at SXSW! Grab a cup of coffee -- you missed a lot since our last check-in: We took our precious time getting out of our RV park home yesterday and loaded in our gear to The Jr (Emo's) at 6 p.m. On the way, I ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

Here's what's hot this week in music on the Front Range: On the concert front, new shows featuring the Shins, James Taylor and Explosions in the Sky were announced; In the Whale, Tennis and FaceMan got spins on local radio; and recent albums from Leonard Cohen, Matador, Young Jeezy and Lana Del Rey ... More >>

Weekend's best live bets: Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks and more

Are you ready? This is a weekend to remember. Tonight for the first time ever, the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre will add to its renown by hosting the first ever wintertime concert with Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks with Atmosphere, Common, Grieves and Budo and Get Cryphy. And that's just the tip o ... More >>

See Blackalicious at the Fillmore for just $10

You read that right. You can see Blackalicious at the Fillmore this Friday, January 27, for just $10 (well, plus the applicable service fees). Tickets are on-sale right now at LiveNation.com or you can pick them up directly at the Fillmore box office. Oh, we should also let you know that this is als ... More >>

Lyrics Born: "I still don't feel like I've made my best album"

DJ Shadow at the Ogden, 11/19/10

Aaron Thackeray​ DJ SHADOW With Pigeon John 11.21.10 | Ogden Theatre See slideshow and read the interview with DJ Shadow Josh Davis (aka DJ Shadow) has come a long way since his days collaborating with hip-hop icons Gift of Gab and Lyrics Born, and his skills have only gotten more sharply ... More >>

DJ Shadow on the potential extinction of vinyl and his massive record collection

Dean Fernando​ Josh Davis, better known as DJ Shadow, is one of those artists that invents genres. Since the release of his 1996 critically-acclaimed debut, Endtroducing....., he has been regarded as one of the founding fathers of instrumental hip-hop. Endtroducing..... made the Guinness Book ... More >>

DJ Shadow

Aloe Blacc, Harry Nilsson, Kid Cudi fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Pretty Lights, Ween and Jay-Z filled our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Deferred Hat Tip - Harry Nilsson's The Point!

​ The Point! is a weird album. Is it a story? Is it an album? It's the type of thing I would have loved as a kid, and it's a bit strange I never heard it until I was an adult. That said, I didn't even know the album existed until I heard Blackalicious' Blazing Arrow, which sampled "Me and My ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of February 8, 2010

​As music critics -- and people who generally think about, talk about, listen to and make music -- the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to right now?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation. ... More >>

Hey, DJ! Q&A with DJ LARGECHILD

Every Friday we spotlight the hottest cats (and kittens) behind the decks in the MHC, grilling them to gain some insight on what it takes, exactly, to get the party rocking, to find out about their most treasured crate digging experiences and what they really think when we stumble up to them half co ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of January 4, 2010

​As music critics -- and people who generally think about, talk about, listen to and make music -- the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to right now?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation. F ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of December 7, 2009

​As music critics -- and people who generally think about, talk about, listen to and make music -- the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to right now?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation. For t ... More >>

Billy Joel & Elton John, Bebel Gilberto, Imogen Heap shows announced

​Billy Joel and Elton John, both legendary pop singers and pianists, have been on their Face 2 Face tour since March will visit the Pepsi Center Sunday, November 22. After opening the show with a series of duets, each playing pianos and trading vocals, Joel and John will play sets with their own b ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of September 14, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top five spins for the week of May 11, 2009<

As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

The Mighty Underdogs

Thursday, March 19, Bluebird Theater, 303-830-8497.

Springsteen, Modest Mouse, Conor Oberst shows announced

Modest Mouse visits CU's Balch Fieldhouse February 28. As we reported earlier today, Bruce Springsteen's April 10 Pepsi Center show was announced today, but it's also been a busy week for other concert announcements, including Modest Mouse's February 28 gig at CU's Balch Fieldhouse, Conor Oberst's A ... More >>

Party Like It's 1999: Your election-night party guide

Over the Weekend...Paid Dues Festival @ Fillmore Auditorium

King of the Mountains

Telluride's snow-sport competition and music lineup are the best of the bunch.

This Weekend: Crown City Rockers, Mighty Underdogs and Blackalicious @ Fox Theatre

Last Night: Common @ The Fillmore Auditorium

Guru

Guru

Saturday, July 21, the Oriental Theater, 303-455-2124.

Lifesavas Take Portland to School

Meet the three righteous teachers behind Hip-Hop 101.

Rocket Man

David Grinspoon is popularizing science, one alien joke at a time.

DJ Z-Trip

Thursday, June 1, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom, 1-866-455-2263.

Busdriver

Wednesday, February 22, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Listen Up

Fast reviews of recent releases

Steel Train

Friday, November 11, Trilogy Lounge, Boulder, 303-473-9463.

Blackalicious

Tuesday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 2, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Pigeon John

Tuesday, April 19, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

Gift of Gab

Friday, October 8, Bluebird Theater, 303-322-2308; Sunday, October 10, Fox Theatre, 303-443-3399.

Foreshadowing

DJ Shadow's brooding sound structure is still Quannum leaps ahead.

Critic's Choice

Blackalicious

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

The World Within

When DJ Vadim traveled to the ends of the earth, he found hip-hop in every corner.

Black Power

The Bay Area's Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel make hip-hop that's magically Blackalicious.

Backwash

Noise Tent Records has readied another barnyard-inspired compilation of Denver bands.

Handsome Boy Modeling School/Quannum Projects

So...How's Your Girl?
(Tommy Boy)

Quannum Spectrum
(Quannum Projects)