Hip-Hop: Summer Shows

It’s almost summer, summer, summertime. As quick as 2018 came, it’s already halfway over! Here are a few events to mark on your calendars for the upcoming sunny months. If you missed him before, don’t miss him this time! A Boogie is back at The Strand with Don Q on June 30. Speaking from personal experience, he puts on quite the show for his fans. Another concert to look out for is The Roots at Bold Point Park in East Providence on July 1. Celebrate the long-lasting career of the legendary and widely acclaimed group on a night that’s sure to excite any hip-hop head, especially since the group doesn’t come around often. Yet another legendary group to mark on the calendar are none other than Dipset, who will be at The Strand on August 3. Fans of the collective will see Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey and hopefully, performing all their classics. This is also a special summer for hip-hop and R&B as the billionaire couple Beyonce and Jay Z are on the run again … their “On The Run 2” tour, that is. On August 5, they’ll make their way to Gillette Stadium to combine their fans into one venue and rock their countless hits. Summer season also is Daytrill season! Daytrill is a day party organized by Stay Silent in which people of all kinds converge into one celebration to spread love the “PVD way.” To get a sense of what that means and learn more things Stay Silent, head over to staysilentpvd.com. Typically there are two Daytrill events per year (one at the start of summer and one at the end of summer), so follow them on social media to get the drop on dates.

Hip-Hop: Culture Games

The hip-hop scene in PVD continues to bubble away into a perfect cultural concoction, and the next ingredient to add is DirtyDurdie’s next event in their “Culture Games” series. It promises to be a remedy for the boogie-down blues some of us New Englanders may be experiencing. Dirty Durdie, a hip-hop group made up of two passionate artists, describe Culture Games as a jam where rappers and b-boys battle for prizes and bragging rights — and b-boying is one of the underrepresented pillars of hip-hop. Culture Games 4 also will include performances, and the whole thing will culminate in a dance party to celebrate hip-hop at its finest. Dirty Durdie was inspired to create this event series because of “the lack of hip-hop culture’s representation within the scene and the country as a whole.” It’s safe to say that things have changed for the better since the series inception! To get to this fourth event in the series, the members of DirtyDurdie have experienced some growing pains, but they’ve progressed properly and proudly into the position they’re in currently. One obstacle they’ve experienced is recruiting rap battlers because many believed the format would be two competitors ripping each other apart with insults and disses. This is not the case for Culture Games. Instead, rap battlers and attendees should expect is rappers showcasing their freestyling ability over beats with judges deciding who is the most skilled. This is an event for young hip-hop fans as well as hip-hop veterans who grew up watching the birth of the culture. Having both in one building to enjoy the roots of the genre will provide an energy only hip- hop truly can. When asked to describe the spirit of the event in one sentence DirtyDurdie replied, “The Culture Games is the flyest hip-hop jam in RI. Come support and experience the culture in its rarest form!” Head over to The Culture Games 4 on April 26 at Alchemy to get a taste of the dopest vibes DirtyDurdie and those involved have to offer!

Hip-Hop: Warming Up

This past winter has been a weird one; the weather has been both mild and cruel. But one thing that’s kept us moving through the cruel periods is music. Artists never stop touring, but spring is the most rewarding of the seasons as the temperatures trend upward, which only enhances the experience.

To begin the season, southern legend Jeezy is heading to The Strand in PVD on March 1. Along with him is , an up-and-comer in the genre who will benefit from Jeezy’s crowd and attract an audience of his own. Should be an enjoyable show for those who enjoy trap music.

March at The Strand is lit — another notable artist blazing the stage is R&B star Miguel, performing on March 17. He’ll be bringing along TDE’s SiR, as well as other artists to set the R&B vibes proper as they tour for Miguel’s recently released album War & Leisure.

April hosts a couple dope shows as the season begins to bloom. A$AP Ferg heads over to the House of Blues Boston on April 12. And Joey Bada$$ makes his way to Boston’s Paradise Rock Club shortly after on April 17. Both concerts will be quite the experience as these artists and their fan base are rather unique in hip-hop.

To close the season out with a bang before the summer transition, Big Sean will put on an incredible show at the Mohegan Sun arena on May 19. Hopefully the “Unfriendly Reminder” tour will make up for the lackluster album he recently released. Longtime fans will be satisfied, as he’s doing a tour performing the music his fans vote for him to perform!

If all that wasn’t enough, there’s always the eclectic Boston Calling Festival in Cambridge, Mass, from May 25 to 27. Some notable hip-hop and R&B artists on the lineup are Eminem, Tyler, The Creator, Bryson Tiller, Khalid, BROCKHAMPTON, Daniel Caesar, Noname, Westside Gunn & Conway, Thundercat and STL GLD, as well as a few others.

These are just a few shows happening, so look out for more concerts in your area. Part of the music experience is going to these live shows, and this spring is as good a time as any to start enjoying them!

Hip-Hop: 20 Minutes to Logan

Boston bubbles with energy, and there’s great music being dropped around every corner. A couple twists and turns lead us to Jackie Jones’ latest project, 20 Minutes to Logan. Jones’ hunger is apparent in his voice throughout all seven songs. His flows range well, the lyrics embody his theme and the sounds chosen support him without any turbulence.

The intro, “First Class,” lays the foundation for the project and its theme. He raps about enjoying the fruits of his grind as he travels toward the next step to success in, you guessed it, first class seating. It’s very reflective with lines like “This is a business, man, friends is last on my mind.”

After this one we land on “Way Up” with the only features of the project, Boston’s Kadeem and Darius Heywood from Brockton, Massachusetts. All three artists properly work the ambitious beat as the horns on the chorus keep them on their toes. The vibes from this one make it a standout every single listen.

The rest of the project is full of even more clever and descriptive raps about where his dream could take him. The sounds up until the final song, “LAX,” create the feeling of descending to our destination until we touch down with justified applause.

Jackie Jones excels at showcasing his talents on this one, and the energy presented through the music is impressive. He cares about his raps and makes great sounding songs.

Listen to 20 Minutes to Logan on all available streaming services!

Hip-Hop: MyCompiledThoughts

MyCompiledThoughts, an artist from Boston, has a transcendent energy that makes him more of an anomaly than a musician. Nothing about him or his music is reminiscent of much that comes to mind. He is not a compilation of his musical inspirations, but an enigmatic soul who drops subtle nods to artists who motivate him.

MyCompiled describes his style of music as ShoeGaze RnB that blends his voice and instruments into one dream-like presence while adding elements of contemporary R&B. MyCompiled recently dropped his debut project, Wonderlust, that invites listeners to travel into his realm. With just under 20 minutes of music it’s about the length of one REM sleep cycle, which is the dream stage of sleep. Sounds like a happy coincidence, right?

“I’m so lost in beautiful thoughts of you,” croons MyCompiled as the first line of the project on the title track “Wonderlust.” It sets up the entire project very appropriately. The first few songs are only a minute or so long, but in the first sizable song, it becomes very clear that MyCompiled is aiming to get listeners lost in his thoughts. It’s very difficult not to get lost in the standout “Yours Pt. 1,” as he pleads for someone’s affection with the repeating melody as if we’re stuck skipping a few beats.

Following is “Yours Pt. 2,” a somber continuation of the previous song. In this song he’s lost the someone he was fighting for in Pt. 1, but he’s struggling to let go of his feelings.

The rest of the journey is full of peaks and valleys as MyCompiled travels varying emotions and sounds.

“Before” adds an airy element led by great guitar strings and the echoes of his cheerful memories. “Space Fall” and “The Fall” featuring WHYTRI bring us right back down with darker sounds and trance melodies to remind listeners how quickly emotions can shift. To conclude the project, “Spaceship” leaves a mellow invitation to take another trip with MyCompiled.

Overall, Wonderlust is an incredible sonic adventure that encourages a mental cleansing and plenty of repeat listens.

Stream it on SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/mycompiledthoughts

Hip-Hop: WHYTRI’s KAHUNA

Being a native of New England around this time of the year tests your resolve. This freezing weather also plays its part in lighting fires in artists near and far by forcing them to go inside, hunker down and create. A perfect example is WHYTRI, who splits his time between Boston and Providence, with his newest project, KAHUNA.

KAHUNA is split into two waves that total 15 minutes of music that is easy to get lost in. WHYTRI sets an instant impression with the opening song, “F5FLXX.” The production by MyCompiledThoughts is a perfect partner for WHYTRI’s animated voice and energy. It’s an epic introduction to his music for first- time listeners.

We then slide right into a song that showcases WHYTRI’s personality even more: “SKK” (Stone Cold Knees). If the first song is WHYTRI’s entrance into the ring then this second song is the match. Here he showcases his flow while dishing out a nice sample size of his rapping abilities. It’s also always fun when WWE wrestling references are thrown around.

After a brief skit, the hilarity continues with the second wave of songs. Each one adds a different flavor to the project, just like the first wave of songs.

The dial-tone driven “XURWIFI,” featuring Providence’s Lily Rayne, is without a doubt the stand-out song. If KAHUNA was an outfit, this song is the shirt that grabs your attention after you’ve glanced at the shoes and accessories. If that wasn’t enough, the self-produced “RUDUMB,” featuring Boston’s Reggie Hue, is the fire hat that says, “Hey, look at me, though.” In all honesty, “SNORKEL ON” gave me the same reaction.

I asked WHYTRI about his message with KAHUNA, and he replied, “It wasn’t so much about getting a point across, but more about showcasing my personality as WHYTRI and really bringing people into my world by giving them different tastes and aspects of my abilities.”

He also mentioned he’s working on another project, random singles, a video and so much more.

Hip-hop is full of a lot of the same. At times it’s downright difficult to sift through all of it and find something out of the norm. The greatest thing I can say about WHYTRI’s KAHUNA is that some artists don’t have to try to be different; they just are.

Stream KAHUNA on Apple Music, SoundCloud and Spotify! Hip-Hop: Iris Creamer’s Denim

You may have seen Iris Creamer at Providence events, as she’s very supportive of creativity in the city. And listening to Creamer is an experience. Not only does she perform, she curates her own shows to showcase others! She recently dropped a short project called Denim, which speaks to her passion for creative expression.

This project is about 18 minutes of trance with a whole pocket full of hip-hop flavor. Creamer has the range of Awful Records’ Abra, but holds listeners with her thoughtful, minimalist sentiments. When this project is playing, it’s very easy to embody a “life can’t be so hard” attitude.

There’s something else about Creamer’s music: she empowers everyone. Some songs aim toward women listeners, telling them to be the best they can be and without letting anyone hold them back. It also asks male listeners to be more respectful of the women in their lives. Her music oozes a “you want me ‘cus I’m me” attitude. Pink Pistol II, which came out in the spring, is an absolute stand-out record to represent this attitude, but at the same time, it’s multifaceted with a vulnerable song like ‘La Luna’ that expresses emotions through light Spanish vocals.

Creamer shows even more creativity on the mostly self-produced Denim. This is a project you could hear once for the beats, another time for the lyrics and a third time for the fullest possible enjoyment.

Listen to Denim on Apple Music, Spotify and SoundCloud!

Hip-Hop: Falling for Music

Fall is on the way! As the leaves change color and the temperature drops, we get all the dope hip-hop tour dates for the season. Here are a few shows to look forward to.

We start our fall season on Sep 9 with the RI Music Festival at The Strand Ballroom (Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel). A Boogie is headlining with a bunch of Rhode Island talent like J Duce, Jon Hope, Flawless & more! A Boogie will continue to build on his momentum from becoming a XXL Freshman and return to Providence. Also in September, on the 23rd will take his Paranoia Tour to The Strand Ballroom while Maxo Kream shuts down The Met. Whether you choose one or the other, you can’t lose because both artists are pushing hip-hop forward.

Later in the fall, we have MadeInTYO coming to The Met on Oct 6 during his Made In Tokyo tour. After recently dropping a project and also becoming a XXL Freshman, this is the perfect time for him to travel! Another show pulling up to The Met is on his 508 Tour performing on Oct 14. To end the month, on Oct 25 we have Dope Concepts at Aurora. This hip-hop show features Rhode Island’s own Foolish Heart, ALMTY Ceez, Lily Rayne & Cam Bells right before Aurora closes down.

Ending the pre-chill season proper, there’s one more show to mark on your calendars! On Nov 17, Cousin Stizz is stopping by The Met on the final stretch of his One Night Only Tour. If you’re unfamiliar with the name and you’re a fan of hip-hop, you should get familiar. Dive into the world of Stizz with this show.

These are just a few shows coming to the area, so definitely keep your ears to the venues for more!

CD Review: Cam Bell’s Young King, Old Soul

Providence is a city rich with as much talent as there is history. Throughout the years, I’ve yet to meet anyone with as much knowledge and talent as the young king with an old soul, Cam Bells. Ask around and those who know will tell you the Prince of Providence is one-of-a-kind. After releasing his Providence C.O.L.D. project a few years ago, fans finally get a follow-up with Young King, Old Soul, and it was worth the wait.

Initially, the space Cam left in Young King, Old Soul set an underwhelming impression, but as I listened again, it became essential to the project. For every great verse he nonchalantly drops, there’s time for the fantastic Rhode Island-bred production to shine, as if it’s another artist featured on the song. The dynamic shapes the project so well and makes me feel crazy for thinking what I did initially. Not only is the music well-thought-out, but each transition moves me from one memory to another.

The Kris Fame-produced “Back In The Day” flashes me back to my days on Prairie Avenue enjoying the rewards of chasing down the ice cream truck with the homies. The GenrusHS-produced “Special” transports me to the late night remnants of countless summer cookouts with the family as the grill is shut off and the embers in the fire pit burn brighter. “The Other Side,” produced by John Scino, takes me to somber walks from the East Side of Providence through Downtown to the West End, especially with the chilling voice of the sole feature on the project, Avenue. To wrap it all up, MLA Format & 72 Dolphins produced “Crimetown,” which has me looking out the window on RIPTA rides thinking “this is the year we all succeed.”

Overall, although I selfishly wish Cam rapped more aggressively, Young King, Old Soul is a purposeful musical experience and has the potential to resonate on another level with those raised in Providence. If anyone deserves a crown with the Ocean State’s capital branded on it, it’s Cam Bells.

You can order a physical copy of “Young King, Old Soul” on his site (princeofpvd.com) or stream it on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal & Soundcloud.

Hip-Hop Review: Spocka Summa’s Progression

Spring in Rhode Island has to be one of my favorite things ever. Part of the reason is, through all of the sporadic rain, we begin getting music that breathes along with you. Insert Spocka Summa & Last Child’s The Progression 001 into the winds of change. Pressing play for the first time and hearing “what is life without progression” already evokes some serious thought, but hearing the brass behind it gives it even more impact. That’s what this project is full of: luscious sounds painting great pictures over the grand soundscape of instruments, accompanied by Spocka’s you-‘bout-to-get-these-bars attitude. Song by song, The Progression 001 provides some phenomenal transitions. My favorite sequence lets my ears slide as Spocka & Last Child move us from the ironically warm sounding “Winter” to the cooler “Used to Be.” The top three songs carry more weight and appeal than the bottom three, but it all combines together to serve the purpose.

Seeing the fact it was recorded and mixed at B08 Studios also helps me feel the amount of care he put into this project. It’s truly the little things when it comes to music at any level, and being able to notice those little things only adds to the music.

Listen for yourself to catch the dope narrative throughout The Progression 001 and read the comic he’s releasing to provide visual understanding of this project.

Stream the album, read the comic, and see upcoming performances: spockasumma.com