Back again with a fresh batch of local hip-hop, the first crop of 2014. This installment of That’s a Rap is dominated by club anthems set on partying up for the new year: Capo Coleone starts off with a big house party, G-Slick offers interesting production on a new cut…
WU-YEAR’S EVE at CERVANTES’ | 12/31/13 The last night of 2013 was spent with the three most recognizable faces of the Wu-tang Clan: Ghostface, Method Man and Raekwon. The three demonstrated virtuosity and vibrance, delivering a memorable performance in front of a capacity crowd. Much of the evening was dedicated…
We’re back with another fresh batch of Colorado hip-hop, all with stimulating videos to bring the tracks to life. First, the often controversial Kevin Pistol returns with a track about his superior mike control, while Jahni Denver drops an inspiration track with help from Krizz Kaliko. Catch Lungs, meanwhile, attempts…
Back with another batch of fresh local hip-hop. This week, we’ve got a new clips from Spoke In Wordz featuring the 17th and Fokis, a cut from Slo Pain for hardcore fans, as well as fresh goodness from Rap League Manifest, assisted by Planet Asia, and Aires Jackson, who just…
Legendary rap label Rap-A-Lot has added local rapper G-Slick to its stable of artists. Not only did they sign him, but they made his home label G.O.D.N. a subsidiary of the imprint, as well. Although the interest G.O.D.N. received initially was by the negative videos the crew was putting out…
This is a new day for Turner Jackson. He’s completely reshaped, reinvigorated and ready to take on everything that’s in store for him. He has a whole new perspective these days, but it came at the immeasurably high price of losing friend and mentor Marcus “Arrilius” Hayes. Before his untimely…
We’re back with another batch of fresh local hip-hop. We’ve got a new tune from Turner Jackson’s new project Black Electric Love and a new cut from Mr. Midas’s forthcoming project, Red Card and Green Bottles. Kruza Kid, meanwhile, channels his inner Doors, and Young Doe drops a powerful track…
TALIB KWELI at CERVANTES’ MASTERPIECE BALLROOM | 10/27/13 Last night, Cervantes’ hosted one of the more interesting pairings in recent memory. The bill featured Talib Kweli, a New York native often lumped in the conscious rap category, and Big K.R.I.T. a Southern Rapper with a huge underground following and more…
KRS-ONE at EXTRACT HARVEST FEST at CERVANTES’ | 10/19/13 The Extract Harvest Festival took over both sides of Cervantes’ with classic hip-hop and reggae filling the place. KRS-One was the main headliner, but all of the acts, which included the Pharcyde, Mr. Vegas and Trapzillas, among others, had the house…
Since immigrating from Russia in 1992, Ivan Ovchinnikov — better known by his stage name, Scum — has grown into one of the best-selling horrorcore artists in the country, through relentless touring and with Lyrikal Snuff Productions, the label he founded more than a decade ago. In that time, Scum…
Since immigrating from Russia in 1992, Ivan Ovchinnikov — better known by his stage name, Scum — has grown into one of the best-selling horrorcore artists in the country, through relentless touring and with Lyrikal Snuff Productions, the label he founded more than a decade ago. In that time, Scum…
Back again with more fresh Colorado-grown hip-hop. This week’s batch features some classic hip-hop stylings from Big House and Ace, a pleasantly surprising track from newcomer Lytes Edison, a club anthem from Cash Addict’s DC Smilez and KooQua shinning on a new cut. Keep reading to see what’s good this…
RAKIM at CERVANTES OTHERSIDE | 9/18/13 Last night at the Otherside, Rakim stalked the stage like a lion on an African plain, controlling the mic with a swagger that hypnotized the room, which was filled with an audience that hung on his every word. The God MC showcased a presence…
Back again with more fresh Colorado-grown hip-hop. This week’s batch features a hustle anthem from Richie Rich, and Monte Burns showing his versatility. F.Lawless, meanwhile, drops a new video from his solo debut, Limbo, and Tommy Brown shows off his ink and moolah. Continue on to see what’s good. See…
Underground is hotter than ever! Slow Pain… Razakel… Komatose… Claas… Killa C… Lunacy 3:33… KidCrusher… Mars… and many more!— Violent J & 2 Dope (@icp) December 5, 2011 Sitting upstairs in what once was the projector room of the Roxy Theatre, Troll is in front of two desks piled with…
F.Lawless, of Foodchain, makes his solo debut on Limbo. This cohesive collection of ambient tones, soulful sounds and soft harmonies provides a relaxing backdrop against which the MC can flex his lyrical abilities. F.Lawless rhymes with a notably cool demeanor on tracks like “For Real Though” and “Riding Shotty,” both…
Welcome back to another edition of That’s a Rap, the regular feature in which we spotlight some solid tracks from the Colorado hip-hop scene. This week, we’ve got another a fresh batch of homegrown hip-hop for you, including new cuts from Young Doe, DC Smiles of the Cash Addicts, Foo…
Izm White (aka Hayden Laybourn) has been immersed in the local hip-hop scene since the mid-’90s, when he first started heading down from the Western Slope to Denver to compete in MC battles and attend shows. During that time, he’s had some ups and downs, including releasing multiple albums, taking…
Over the last decade or so, mixtapes have revolutionized the rap game and altered how marketing in general is approached. Not only have the rappers received substantial acclaim, the DJs have, too. Although there are numerous DJs — guys like Statik Selektah, Trap-A-Holics, DJ Khaled, DJ Scream, Big Mike, Nu…
Clearview Films has come a long way since filming its first video in 2009. Shooting over 150 videos since its inception, Clearview has been working hard to make a name for itself in the video game. We tapped Antonio Valenzuela, who’s worked with Clearview on various projects, to catch up…
Young Doe dropped a big track this week with Jadakiss, Taj Mahal and J. Stalin. Landing a song with the most prominent member of the L.O.X. is big enough, but the high production value of the track, coupled with the fact that Doe is working with two other rising stars…
Every year at the Westword Music Showcase, we enlist our army of Backbeat wordsmiths to host various stages. In addition to their emcee duties, we ask them to pull double duty by submitting a travelogue of their individual stage. Antonio Valenzuela hosted at Roostercat Coffee House this past Saturday. Keep…
