Hip-Hop Culture

Former DU mascot Boone is in trouble

Denver Nuggets Harlem Shake vs the Heat: Who needs a Birdman when you've got a Predator?

Incredibly, the Harlem Shake is still a thing. I know, right? It's so played out at this point that "Gangnam Style" seems fresh. Be that as it may, the beloved Nuggets have posted a version of the meme that's worth noting if simply because it stars JaVale McGee in a Predator mask being, well, JaVale ... More >>

Harlem Shake it this Saturday, Colorado

Quick: If you were Colorado and you wanted to jump on the bandwagon of a nearly exhausted Internet phenomenon and, say, film a Harlem Shake video of your own with thousands of your closest friends (okay, maybe not thousands -- only 86 people have confirmed so far, while 52 are still on the fence), w ... More >>

So what do Harlemites think of the Harlem Shake: "I feel like they're trying to disrespect us"

It's been almost a week now since the whole Harlem Shake phenomenon began to reach critical mass. Before shit got completely ridiculous and ubiquitious, Chris McGuire of Schlepp Films in New York made a video and posted it online. Sensing a viral trend taking shape, the filmmaker and his friends fil ... More >>

The Punch Bowl gets in on the Harlem Shake

The Harlem Shake -- an online dance phenomenon in which friends create goofy routines to the beat of a dubstep song -- has taken over YouTube. And the crew at

Harlem Shake: Everything to know about YouTube's viral successor to "Gangnam Style"

This is a turning point in the history of music on the internet. I know, I know, it feels like a regular Friday, but trust me, things will never be the same again. The forces of capitalism, social networking and goofing off have converged at the perfect time to create the magic that is the "Harlem ... More >>

Colorado does the Harlem Shake: The ten best local Harlem Shake videos on YouTube

So the Harlem Shake. You now know everything you need to know about it. If you still have doubts about the ubiquitous grasp it has on the zeitgeist at the moment, witness how the curious phenomenon has spread to Colorado. Keep reading to see Colorado doing the Harlem Shake [insert head slap]. See a ... More >>

Salt-N-Pepa

Saturday, December 17, Gothic Theatre, 303-788-0984.

Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force's Planet Rock: The Album is 25 years old today

"Party people! Party People! Can y'all get funky?" You already know what it is as soon as the first twinkling bells, crowd screams and intergalactic beat drops for Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force's cult hit, "Planet Rock." Get your ass to the nearest dance floor and do an old school dance, stra ... More >>

A-Trak spins May 9 at the Gothic

Break Dancing! Animated GIFS will pop and lock your day

​Break dancing took Denver by storm in the mid '80s, drawing 10,000 people to a competition at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, where this paper's founder and editor Patricia Calhoun was a judge.

The first thing you need to know about hip-hop: It's all about your posture

Dina, showing us what makes "it" look like hip-hop.​Did you know that hip-hop is a lifestyle? Did you know that Dina--who looks like she could be your mom, your swim coach, even your dental hygienist--holds the secret to this hip-hop lifestyle? It's simple, really. You just have to know how to pop ... More >>

DJ Cavem Moetivation on greening the 'hood as hip-hop's organic gardener

Jay Esposito​ DJ Cavem Moetavation (aka Ietef Vita) is out to green the 'hood, one hip-hop element at a time. Activist, b-boy, DJ, MC, graffiti artist, beat-boxer, film maker and journalist, Cavem plays many roles, all geared toward empowering the 'hood with tools that facilitate evolution of ... More >>

An encore screening of Soulz of the Rockies slated for this Friday

If you count yourself a fan of hip-hop culture -- particularly local hip-hop -- Soulz of the Rockies is an absolute must-see. Can't remember the last time I've been so energized by a film, any film, much less a local one. But Soulz of the Rockies is deep. The documentary, produced by MU$A, is as r ... More >>

James Pants

Wednesday, December 23, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-1007.

Q&A with Flawless of Fresh Breath Committee

​Back in 2008, we named Boostwell Crew the best hip-hop crew in Denver. Headed by SP Double, the crew consisted of local emcees and producers, Flawless, Fo Chief, ManDaMyth, Catch Lungs, EMB, Purpose, Procise, Kontrast and a few others. Shortly after the recognition, a number of members left the c ... More >>

Nuggets reps can't outshine JabbaWockeeZ during NBA All-Star Weekend

The JabbaWockeeZ unmasked. Three representatives of the Denver Nuggets took part in NBA's All-Star Weekend, with varying degrees of success. J.R. Smith didn't embarrass himself during the Slam Dunk competition, as Chris "The Birdman" Anderson did a few years ago as a member of the New Orleans Horne ... More >>

Guru shows love to Colo. hip-hop artists

For those unaware, Guru is founder and one half of legendary hip-hop group, GangStarr. Although the status of GangStarr is up in air (Guru says the group is done; DJ Premier says they're on a long break), the duo haven't talked since 2003. In the meantime, while DJ Premier is producing Christina Agu ... More >>

Rap-Up: DJ Vajra shares a table of vinyl with Q-Bert

It's no secret that DJ Vajra is one of, if not the best turntablists out of Colorado. He recently took a trip to San Francisco and connected with one of the best DJ's on Earth: DJ Q-Bert. Vajra visited Q-Bert at his house and had a scratch session on Q-Bert's infamous table of four pairs of turntabl ... More >>

Q&A with Kid Rainen of America's Best Dance Crew winners JabbaWockeeZ

Dilated Peoples

Monday, June 23, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Last Night... Flobots and RJD2 @ DU's May Day Music Fest

Under the Influence

Urban Allyance takes hip-hop on an eco-friendly trip.

Best 2007 - Miami: DJ I-Dee's Tracks to Relax

More RJD2 4 U

More RJD2 4 U

RJD2

This hip-hop producer turned fledgling rocker hasn’t turned his back on the boom-bap.

Busted in Sin City

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Who will be inducted next? Gaze into our crystal ball.

Cut Chemist

The Audience¹s Listening (Warner Bros.)

Tre Hardson & Fuqawi

Friday, December 2, Round Midnight, Boulder, 303-442-2176; Sunday, December 4, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom, 303-297-1772.

Alter Call

This Apostle's work here is almost done.

Dance, Dance, Revolution

Hip-hop, clowns, and war dances meet on the street in Rize.

Urban Slight

Denver rolled out the carpet for All-Star Weekend, but it's still not enough for urban-film distributors.

Hip-Hop Hype

Denver's plummet from the summit.

Hip-Hoppin' Holiday

The beats don't stop in Toyz

Best Radio Revolutionaries

Skyjack Radio

Ready to Reload

After five years, Gang Starr reclaims its place in the hip-hop pack.

Club Scout

Solar Flow

Peoples Get Ready

As part of underground hip-hop's newest dream team, Dilated Peoples are at the top of their game.

Backwash

What’s a little competition between friends? Local turntablists get ready to battle it out in Boulder.

Best Place to Raise Your Consciousness

Cafe Nuba

Best hip-hop show

Basementalism, KVCU-AM/1190, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays

Best li'l independent slice of cybernet pie

www.joesgrille.com

Scratch It Up

The steel wheels keep turning in the DMC turntable battles.

Master of the Universe

Mix Master Mike wants you to know how the tables turn.

Like a Record, Baby

QBert and the Invisibl Skratch Piklz put a new spin on the DJ craft.

Break Out

The beat of the street makes the Freestylers feel like dancing.

And You Don't Stop

These student DJs are hip-hop professors.

Jammin'

Jam X was a turntablist before turntabling was cool.