The Westword nominees are out and that's on a lot of people's minds, but as you know, there is so much more dope hip-hop coming out of the Denver and Colorado State area that are not represented on the nominees list. Not to take anything away from the cats who did get nominated, because they're dope too, but this post is about folks who aren't being recognized this time around... So here are seven songs, feel free to leave your opinions:
Things to do in Denver When You're Dead - Playalitical - My boy DJ Chonz just transferred this file to my computer without permission, and I'm happy he did. I'm assuming it's from Playalitical's upcoming album, but I don't know. Song is hot though!
Where They At? - Melissa Lujan - This is off DJ Bedz and Whoo Kid's mixtape Mile High Shadyville Mixtape. I can't believe they aren't playing any of her music on KS107.5, but alas.
City of Denver - Q.Burse - I'm a sucker for joints name checking my city and neighborhood and Burse does it through the entire song.
Homecoming - Deux Process - I like Deux Process, and I like this song too. Also off of the Bedz and Whoo Kid tape. If you haven't downloaded it, scroll down to get it. It's free and it's pretty good.
Right Now - Concept Oner - Concept just dropped his album, "To Die For", and it's a decent piece of work. This is one of the joints I liked the most.
Who I Am - SP Double - SP dropped his album last week. Haven't heard it yet, but what i have heard, I dig. Like this joint with the Lost Gems crew.
In Hip-Hop We Trust - On Point - Back in the day, when i was a young youth, I considered hip-hop as my religion. But I grew up. Still though, On point undying love for hip-hop is admirable.
Speaking of the On Point crew, they're throwing a party next month. Check it out:
Next Update: What is Out the Box TV????
Oh and if you need to contact me, my email is under my head on the right.
If you have yet to pick up the latest issue of Westword, the nominees for this year's Westword Music Showcase. And yours truly has been asked to host the Hip-Hop Music Showcase... so come out if you can on June 16.
For hip-hop we have (with MySpace links):
Maneline
Distrakt
The Pirate Signal
Dent
3Oh!3
I would have liked to see D.O. The Fabulous Drifter or anyone from the Five Points Plan get some love.
For hip-hop DJs we got:
DJ Bedz
DJ Chonz
DJ Psycho
DJ Cysko Rokwel
DJ Vajra
Would have liked to see Joe Thunder and Selector Sam get some love for their hustle and their excellent mixtapes.
For Funk/Soul we have
Bop Skizzum
Flobots
Future Jazz Project
Something Underground
U.S. Pipe and the Balls Johnson Dance Machine
And you really can't get funkier or more soulful than His Beloved. Maybe next year. Also, Melissa Lujan seems to get overlooked quite a bit, but I think because she doesn't do much locally anymore. Regardless, she should be considered for either Pop singer or Funk/Soul.
Anyway, we need hip-hop heads in Denver to rep hard, so place your vote here!
Wow, lately I feel like our local hip-hop scene is just taking things to the next level on some "do-it-yourself" type of situation... Back when I was a wannabe emcee, everybody was always looking for the hookup, hoping to get noticed and wasting postage stamps sending off music to record labels.
Nowadays, cats are throwing their owns shows, marketing and selling their own music and producing and directing their own videos... making you notice them. It's just an exciting time to see how everyone is just making moves on their own and not depending on anyone to do it.
Yonnas hit me up and sent over a new video for The Pirate Signal joint "Go". I can't front, I'm a TPS fan. Here's the vid:
Also, my boy Babah Fly aka Fly Jedi did his own video too for "Warning". I love seeing hip-hop videos taped throughout the Denver scenery... Colfax, Five Points, Capitol Hill, Wax Trax... Peep it:
If you haven't been reading the comments, you might have missed Whygee post his hot video. So if you did, here it is, bangin'!
I didn't go to the Nas show last week. DJ Chonz, Spoke In Wordz and Dent were opening for the show and I missed out. But wait, hold up... Chonz hip me to their rehearsal video for the show, and trust me, it's hot! Peep:
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PART 2
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PART 4
Some other stuff that's going on, Deca is having a release party at the Marquis Theatre tonight. Check out my review of his album in Westword this week.
The Procussions are dropping a special album called Proseeds which features rare remixes, collaborations and b-sides. It's only $10, so check that out at http://www.theprocussions.com/store.html.