KRS-One

The ten best diss tracks of all time

Since hip-hop's genesis, beef has been as integral a driving force to the art as bravado. There's been some titanic tangles over the years, from Canibus facing off with LL Cool J to Jay-Z and Nas locking horns with one other, all of which have resulted in some relentless and incendiary rhymes being ... More >>

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 >>

Fresh Colorado hip-hop from Chris Karns (formerly DJ Vajra), Lil Bad, Pries and J Dubb

Another week, another fresh batch of Colorado hip-hop. We've got a brand new mix from Chris Karns, who is retiring his DJ Vajra moniker. We've also got a new single from Pries, along with fresh cuts from Lil Bad and AP and J Dubb. Continue on to see what's good this week in local hip-hop. See also: ... More >>

420 Extravaganja party announced for 4/20 weekend

The 4/20 weekend this year is shaping up to be a massive, city-wide event. Not only is the traditional 4/20 political rally again taking at Denver's Civic Center Park, but the crew from High Times has claimed the Mile High as their city of choice for the first-ever Cannabis Cup on American soil. An ... More >>

Ten essential gangsta rap albums

Many hip-hop fans, those who love rap -- hell, even some rappers -- have an aversion to gangsta rap for its objectionable content. Common named the rise of gangsta rap as one of the many steps in hip-hop's downfall in "I Used to Love H.E.R.," a sentiment that, of course, began a contentious relation ... More >>

Review: Bassnectar at SnowBall Music Festival, 3/4/12

BASSNECTAR @ SNOWBALL MUSIC FESTIVAL | 3.4.12 For the last night of SnowBall Music Festival, organizers brought back one of last year's headliners to close things out, which ultimately proved to be a wise decision. Looking out from the stage, it was readily apparent that Bassnectar has made his mar ... More >>

Slug from Atmosphere on the fictionalization of his lyrics and unwinding with some online chess

​Sean Daley helped launch an empire when he co-founded Rhymesayers Entertainment, home to P.O.S., Brother Ali and, of course, his outfit, Atmosphere.The rapper otherwise known as Slug is an unstoppable force with endless vision and nonstop determination, which has helped make Rhymesayers one o ... More >>

Top five Yo! MTV Raps videos and moments

​As you know, MTV turned thirty this week, and man, oh man, what a three decades it's been. No matter who you are, or what side of the music spectrum you represent, the influence of Music Television on popular culture cannot be denied. This is true especially in the development of the hip-hop ... More >>

100 Colorado Creatives: Ietef Hotep Vita

Ietef Vita is an O.G.​#97: Ietef Hotep Vita Words like "organic," "local" and "sustainable" may be so hot right now in the food world, but for Ietef Hotep Vita, they're family traditions. The son of noted organic gardener, poet and social justice advocate Ashara Ekundayo, Vita has forged his ... More >>

Hip-hop's ten most impactful deaths

​Today marks the anniversary of the day that the world lost the greatest rapper of all time. Christopher Wallace's untimely death on March 9, 1997, had a significant impact on the rap game. If Biggie had lived, for instance, his presence would have essentially erased the need for Jay-Z. Unstop ... More >>

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

Grinderman, RJD2 and Dismemberment Plan 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?" So 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 ... 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 >>

Global Dance Festival at Red Rocks

Aaron Thackeray​ Global Dance Festival Friday, July 16, 2010 | Red Rocks Amphitheatre Every year, the Global Dance Festival brings some of the best in electronic music to the best outdoor venue on the planet, and Friday night's sold-out show was no exception. Judging from the proliferation o ... More >>

KRS-One

Friday, July 9, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom, 303-297-1772.

The National, Chromeo, Goo Goo Dolls shows announced

​Although the National has been at for a decade, the Brookyn-based indie rock group started gaining some serious traction with the release of 2007's Boxer. The act's latest effort, High Violet , debuted in the top five slots around the world, so it's no surprise that the band, who has played s ... More >>

Lords of Acid & Thrill Kill Kult, Lyle Lovett, Jakob Dylan shows announced

​Fifteen years ago, the sexually charged acid house group Lords of Acid and the legendary industrial act My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult teamed up for the Sextacy Ball tour. The two acts are joining forces again this summer for a reincarnation of that tour which hits the Ogden Theatre on Wed ... More >>

Hey, DJ! Q&A with DJ Big Styles

Dave Gaslin 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 ... More >>

Over the weekend: Pretty Lights at the Ogden Theatre

Aaron Thackeray​ Pretty Lights • Lyrics Born • Bobby Collins03.13.10 | Ogden Theatre There is so much sweaty cleavage dangling over the railing of the Ogden's upper deck. One girl, in her haste to abandon her inhibitions, has rolled her shirt up so high that fully half her bra is in vie ... More >>

Last Night: Rock the Bells at Red Rocks

Aaron Thackeray​Rock the Bells 2009 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Thursday, August 6, 2009 Better than: ringtone rap, anything associated with Auto-Tune or listening to the self-proclaimed newly anointed "King of Pop," Kanye West, talk about himself endlessly. Since 2003, Rock the Bells has been the pre ... More >>

New Heavyweight Dub Champion album features KRS-One, Killah Priest

A date has finally been set for the release of Heavyweight Dub Champion's new album, Rise of the Champion Nation, May 5, 2009. The group consists of producers Resurrector and Patch and MCs A.P.O.S.T.L.E. and Stero-Lion. With the exception of Stero, the entire group moved to San Francisco three years ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, March 13 edition

Danielle Ate the Sandwich. Yeah, that's her name. Wanna do somethin' about it? This Friday the 13th isn't even remotely scary. Today in Backbeat Online: • Meet Danielle Ate the Sandwich, your new favorite singer-songwriter. • New Heavyweight Dub Champion album features KRS-One, Killah Priest. ... More >>

Friday Rap-Up: The BoomBox, Lil Wayne, Young Buck, 50 Cent and Queen Latifah

Over the Weekend...Atmosphere, DJ Rare Groove and Abstract Rude @ the Ogden Theatre

Graffiti Documentary Tonight

The Friday Rap-Up: DJ Low Key, Jay-Z, KRS-One, Buckshot, Dr. Dre

Friday Rap-Up: Apostle, Lil Wayne, The Game, Prodigy

Friday Rap-Up: Lupe Fiasco, 50 Cent, DMX, The Vapors movie, Infinite Mindz

Mo' Substance

Mr. Lif's thought-provoking rhymes take you back in time.

AWOL One

Friday, July 7, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-1007.

Aural Pleasure

The talented tongue of Atmosphere goes to work.

The Beatdown

Carolyn's Mother bids a fond farewell.

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Dead Prez

RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta (Sony/Columbia)

Best Place to See Emerging Hip-Hop Talent -- Denver

Soiled Dove

The Beatdown

Local MC Apostle prepares to battle for the keys to the Kingdom.

The Beatdown

Kiss me, I’m a rock star -- at least for one night.

Hip-Hop Stop

KRS-One brings the lowdown to church

Hit Pick

The Procussions

The Beatdown

Four elements make one movement.

All in the Family

Hip-hop revivalists the Family Tree put the paddles to a dying art.

Attitude Check

Four discs trace the development of the original gangstas.

He's Got the Beat

Going back to his roots, Scratch gives lip service to the lost art of beatboxing.

KRS-One

The Sneak Attack (Koch)

Critic's Choice

This week's concert pick: Gil Scott-Heron

Playlist

And the Winners Are ...

Handing out the trophies for 1997's best albums.

Our Gangstas

Is gangsta rap getting more profound? Well...no.

SPECIAL EFX

DAS EFX TRIES TO KEEP IT GOING THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

PEOPLE SWEAR BY--AND AT--HIP-HOP'S OUTSPOKEN, UNDISPUTED GURU.