Drake (Rapper)

Here's what the Denver Nuggets are listening to

On Friday night, I had the chance to chop it up with some of the Denver Nuggets in the locker room before they completely whooped ass on the Brooklyn Nets. With the exception of my two favorite players (who evidently don't do interviews before a game, as they both tersely informed me), everybody was ... More >>

The ten greatest southern rappers of all time

It took a long time for the south to be recognized as a major player in the hip-hop scene, and it still has a ways to go to be held in the same regard as the East and West Coasts, but with the emergence of a new breed of countrified rappers such as Big K.R.I.T., Future, Yelawolf and 2 Chainz (and ev ... More >>

The ten best concerts in Denver this week

10. CLUTCH @ BLACK SHEEP | MON, 3/18/13 Clutch has dodged being saddled with a label, primarily because of the illusion of reinvention it's projected with each album. But the truth is that it's just an illusion. Clutch is set in its ways, yet all of its music sounds like bold experimentation -- even ... More >>

The ten best hip-hop shows this month

The hip-hop, as you know, doesn't stop. It's a new month, which means there's another fresh batch of dope shows for you. And trust: March has plenty of freshness on tap, from revered elder statesmen like De La Soul, Naughty By Nature and GZA to newer cats like Tech N9ne, French Montana and Kendrick ... More >>

Sole on the perils of pushing boundaries: "If I go to jail on some bullshit, I'll do a correspondence course and come out a professor."

For an artist whose career has been built espousing the virtues of DIY self-reliance, it's been a long time since Sole (born Tim Holland) has done a record all by himself with no producers or label people listening over his shoulder. And while Sole confides that this was nerve-wracking at times as h ... More >>

Weekend's best live bets: the Fray, the Lumineers, Leftover Salmon, Drake and more

Welcome to the weekend! The sun's hiding this morning and rain's in the forecast for the next few days, but even that can't dampen spirits today. The Nuggets destroyed the Lakers last night, and you've got another full slate of local goodness on tap this weekend: Tonight the Fray kicks off a two-nig ... More >>

Drake

Sunday, May 13, Comfort Dental Amphitheatre, 303-830-8497.

Best of Coachella weekend two

The first weekend of Coachella was cold, damp and wet. The second weekend of Coachella was hot, sultry, and steamy. This weekend meant tributes, tributes, tributes. From Levon Helms to Biggie, everyone got a shout-out. In between all that, Jeff Mangum came to the aid of fan in distress and our West ... More >>

Broncos running back Willis McGahee flexes his pecs on set of Shanell's "So Good" video

It's the off-season. Do you know where your Broncos are -- uh, we mean, the ones who aren't huddled around fawning over their fearless new leader? We know where one of them is, or was, rather, earlier this week. Broncos running back Willis McGahee was in Miami, his old stomping grounds, on the set w ... More >>

Drake, J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre on 5/13

Canadian rapper Drake is hitting the road with J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz and French Montana as part of his 27-city Club Paradise Tour, which stops at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre on Sunday, May 13. Drake's latest effort, Take Care, released last November on Cash Money, has sold ... More >>

The Best of SXSW Music: Thursday 3/15/2012

If you're familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing a full day at SXSW. To break down the bright, scintillating chaos, Village Voice Media's roving music e ... More >>

Chartbreaker: Bruce Springsteen shows Adele who is Boss with his new album, Wrecking Ball

Adele finally fell from the top this week, thanks to none other than the Boss. That's right -- Bruce Springsteen's new release, Wrecking Ball, his seventeenth studio album, managed to end Adele's reign at the top of the Billboard 200, shifting 224,000 units to Adele's 195,000. Sales for Adele's 21 d ... More >>

The 54th Grammys: who will win (Adele) and who won't (Lady Gaga)

From power pop to power ballads, rock anthems to rap staples, the nominees of the 54th Grammy Awards, which airs this Sunday night, sees no dearth of great music. There's little doubt that it will be Adele's night, but others, like Kanye West and Mumford & Sons, could win big too. Continue reading f ... More >>

Scissor Sisters share a "Shady Love" with Azealia Banks, plus a breakdown of the charts

The Scissor Sisters have two incarnations: campy, carefree guitar-driven band, as was the case for early cuts like "Take Your Mama" and "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'," and a new, more hedonistic synth band with one ear to the dance floor and another in the bedroom. The latter vibe dominated the band's ... More >>

The best national music releases of 2011

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

​Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, shows from Neil Diamond, Garland Jeffreys and Sophie B. Hawkins were announced; BLKHRTS, American Tomahawk and Driftwood Fire got spins on local radio; and new releases from Drake, Kate Bush and Sigur Ros wer ... More >>

2012 Grammy Nominations: Kanye West and Adele clean up, Katy Perry earns pair of nods

Grammy nominations for 2012 were announced last night during the Grammys Nomination Concert -- which was, oddly, just that: a concert, not a nominations show. Nominations in four major categories were announced, plus performances by major players in mainstream music like Lady Gaga, who performed twi ... More >>

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

Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, shows from Phil Lesh, Trey Anastasio, Rusko (Snowball Fest), NEEDTOBREATHE and Dr. Dog were announced; Ian Cooke, Bare Bones and Slim Cessna got spins on local radio; and new releases from Drake, the Rolling Stones ... More >>

The new faces of R&B in Denver: Jon Shockness, J. Carey, Devan Blake Jones, BMore and B.Blacc

Kate LevyJ. Carey is one smooth operator​Have you noticed the influx of male R&B singers these days, particularly in the Mile High City? Adam Duncan, who just joined the A&M/Octone Records roster, is just one of many cats putting it down in Denver these days. Jon Shockness (Air Dubai), J.Carey ... More >>

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

Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, shows from moe., the Bag Raiders and Jane's Addiction were announced; Monroe Monroe, Elway, Shel and Fierce Bad Rabbit got spins on local radio; and new releases from Florence and the Machine, Drake, Childish Gambin ... More >>

I went to my favorite pho restaurant and all I got was Rick Astley

Damn you, Astley!​In the modern age of the iPod, any shoe store, cowboy bar, hair salon or (in this particular case) pho restaurant can do business to any soundtrack it chooses. When I worked at KB Toys in the 90s, we were sent a monthly cassette to play in the store -- except the tape player ... More >>

Lil Wayne gets Unplugged, and we've got suggestions for his set list

​Hip-hop lyrics often get lost amongst the bass, snare and 808-drenched beats and production of a song. That's why, when a rap artist -- like Jay-Z, for example -- decides to take on MTV's famous Unplugged series, the outcome can be amazing, as was the case with Jigga, and hopefully will be th ... More >>

R.I.P. Nate Dogg, August 1969 - March 2011

​It's a sad day for hip-hop. For anyone who was bumping gangsta rap in the early '90s, the loss of Nathanial Hale, aka Nate Dogg, is profoundly sad. Largely considered the best hook executioner in the genre, the G-Funk crooner paved the way for artists like Trey Songz, Drake and others who dom ... More >>

Young Money crew as Winnie-the-Pooh Characters: Young Poolah, Baby!

​Drake said recently that he's drawing inspiration from Winnie the Pooh for his next album. But Drake would never be Pooh Bear -- that has to be Lil Wayne. Which Hundred Acre Wood inhabitant would Drake actually be? What about the rest of the gang? Below, a character-by-character breakdown. Ex ... More >>

Our 55 favorite musical releases of 2010

Ten pop music paradigm shifts in 2010

​Teen dream Justin Bieber is arguably the biggest pop star in the country and Simon Cowell isn't doing American Idol. A lot's changed since last year in the world of pop. Institutions fell, ideas were challenged, and the Black Eyed Peas didn't have the number one song in the country at any poi ... More >>

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 >>

A letter to Weezy F. Baby: Welcome back!

Lil Wayne (aka Lil Tunechi, Weezy, Bird Man Jr., Mr. Carter) -- Thank god you're finally free! It has felt like a decade has passed in the pop world since you've been at Rikers. The Black Eyed Peas/Will.I.Am reign of Billboard terror has continued, most recently enveloping one of your own. And ... 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 >>

Drake at Wells Fargo Theatre, 11/02/10

Eric Gruneisen​ DRAKE With Tyga 11.02.10 | Wells Fargo Theatre It seems Tyga -- last night's opener -- got the memo: Donning a puffy vest in Colorado makes you automatically likeable. We have braved decades of trends in those things, and nothing makes you look native quite like sleeveless bo ... More >>

Drake

Tuesday, November 2, Wells Fargo Theater, Colorado Convention Center, 303-830-8497.

Air Dubai, Lil Wayne and DJ Krush 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 >>

Ray LaMontagne, Arcade Fire top sellers at local stores

​Ray LaMontagne's God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise, released August 17 on RCA, took the top spot at Twist & Shout and came in second at Wax Trax. Arcade Fire's The Suburbs continues to perform well, while JJ Grey & Mofro Georgia Warhorse, released last week on Alligator Records, claimed the ... More >>

Iron Maiden, Arcade Fire top sellers at local stores

​ Final Frontier, Iron Maiden's fifteenth studio effort and first album in four years, debuted at second spot at Albums on the Hill and came in third at Independent Records. Arcade Fire's latest effort, The Suburbs, is still performing well and took the top slot at Albums on the Hill for the w ... More >>

Arcade Fire, Los Lobos top sellers at local stores

​Arcade Fire's latest effort, The Suburbs, continues to dominate the local charts, claiming the top spots at Albums on the Hill, Twist & Shout and Wax Trax for the week ending August 15. Los Lobos' Tin Can Trust, released August 3 on Shout! Factory, performed well, as did Wolf Parade's Expo 86 ... More >>

Arcade Fire, the Books top sellers at local stores

​The Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, released last week on Merge, claimed the top spots at Albums on the Hill and Twist & Shout while checking in at number five at Independent Records. The Books' latest effort, The Way Out, meanwhile, and the Black Crowes' Croweology, a double album of the band's ... More >>

Best Coast, Big Boi top sellers at local stores

​While there weren't any unanimous winners across the board, Best Coast's debut, Crazy For You, released last week on Mexican Summer, took the top spot at Wax Trax and the tenth spot at Albums on the Hill for the week ending August 1. Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot...The Son Of Chico Dusty, ... More >>

Big Head Todd & the Monsters, the Books top sellers at local stores

​Big Head Todd & the Monsters' ninth studio album, Rocksteady, released last week, took top spots at Albums on the Hill and Twist & Shout, while the Books' latest effort, The Way Out, also issued last week on the Temporary Residence Limited imprint, debuted in top four slots at the two stores, ... More >>

Big Boi, the Roots, Rick Ross, FOE & Whygee dominate our playlists this week

Jason StoffBig Boi, shown here at this past weekend's Pitchfork Festival, dominated our playlists.​ 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?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, ... More >>

Danielle Ate the Sandwich, 3OH!3 top sellers at local stores

​While national acts like the Roots, the Black Keys and the Wolf Parade continue to be strong sellers at local record stores, local acts came in on top at two stores for the week ending Sunday, July 11. Danielle At the Sandwich, who gave an in-store performance at Twist & Shout last week, debu ... More >>

Tom Petty, Melvins, Gaslight Athem strong sellers at local record stores

​While there weren't any clear winners across the board for the week ending June 20, Tom Petty's Mojo , released last week on Reprise, Gaslight Anthem's American Slang, released last week on Side One Dummy, and Melvins' latest effort, The Bride Screamed Murder were all strong sellers at local ... More >>

Drake's "Fireworks," Thank Me Later's latest leak: Does it live up to its name?

​ With close to six months of postponed release dates under its belt, two official videos already out in advance of its supposed release on June 15, and almost every one of its tracks leaked all over the internet, Drake's much anticipated first full-length, Thank Me Later, has generated a ton ... More >>

Drake at The Ogden Theatre: A list of the ten things he loves

Drake. Photos by Kiernan Maletsky​ Drake • Mike Posner • DJ Chonz05.17.10 | Ogden Theatre First was Denver's own DJ Chonz, who was assigned with warming up the rapidly-filling Ogden. He performed his task admirably [editor's note: with one turntable, no less], but as the first-act DJ, th ... More >>

Drake

Monday, May 17, Ogden Theatre, 303-830-8497.

Drake's "Find Your Love" Video: Another One For The Ladies

The second single off Drake's upcoming blockbuster finds him with some 808s and orchestra, courtesy of (who else?) Kanye West, doing his Casanova thing. The reaction was sort of neutral -- it's not terrible, but it's also not "Forever." Something of a holding pattern. But then the video came ou ... More >>

Nicki Minaj's debut single "Massive Attack" is pretty disappointing

Given the quality of her string of featured appearances in the last year, we're pretty pumped for Nicki Minaj's debut album, due in no hurry later this year. Above is probably the album's lead single, and it's just alright. Somewhere between guest verses on Robin Thicke's "Shakin' It For Daddy" ... More >>

Freeloader: Fresh Breath Committee remixes Drake's "Forever"

​Just because you're famous doesn't mean you're invincible. Fresh Breath Committee released one of Colorado's best rap albums last year in CPR. MCs Flawless, Purpose, Fo Chief and Kontrast stand out for their urgency and dexterity, and they consume Boi-1da's "Forever" beat. It's spare and go ... More >>

Young Money grabs top spot at Independent Records again

​Lil Wayne's hip-hop project Young Money nabbed the top spot at Independent Records for the second week in a row with We Are Young Money, which features Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jae Miltz and Lil Twist. Snoop Dogg, meanwhile, came in second with Malice 'N Wonderland and Eminem's Relapse: Refill came in ... More >>

Young Money top seller at Independent Records

​Young Money, a hip-hop collaboration lead by Lil Wayne, grabbed the top spot at Independent Records for the week ending December 27. The group's We Are Young Money features Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jae Miltz, Lil Twist, Gucci Mane and more. Eminem's Relapse checked in at number two, while Mary J. Blig ... More >>

Tech N9NE top seller at Independent Records

​Tech N9NE's K.O.D., released last week on Strange Music, nabbed the top spot on Independent Records' charts for the week ending November 1. Michael Jackson's soundtrack to the film This is It and Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 came in at second and third, while Swollen Member's Armed to the Teeth a ... More >>