Rapsody is a self proclaimed “well rounded muthafucka.” As she stated on stage, “yes I have spiritual books, and I’m burning incense, but I still backs that ass up!” This statement sums up her greatness in many ways, as she masterfully sings, raps, gives powerful speeches, and yet manages to still have fun on stage in a way that’s contagious to the whole room. Her performance on the Please Don’t Cry tour was dynamic and profound, and showcased the new album along with fan favorite collabs and singles.
Juvenile and Mannie Fresh lit up the Fillmore in Denver with an electrifying performance that had the crowd buzzing. Opening with their classic hits, the duo quickly transported fans back to the golden era of Southern hip-hop. Juvenile’s charismatic energy paired perfectly with Mannie Fresh’s masterful beats, creating an infectious atmosphere. The highlight of the night was their rendition of “Back That Thang Up,” which had everyone on their feet and singing along. The duo also shared stories from their career, adding a personal touch to the high-energy show. As the night wrapped up, it was clear that the legacy of New Orleans hip-hop was alive and well in Denver. Check out the photo recap from 3rd Dvision Below!
Following the evolution of Kaytranada over the last several years has been an incredible journey. His fusion of house music, hip hop, funk, and experimental beats have developed beautifully into a signature sound that’s unmistakeable. He dropped his new album Timeless earlier this year, and embarked on a massive tour in support. We were lucky to catch his performance at Mission Ballroom in Denver, along with openers Lou Phelps and Channel Tres.
Salt Lake City-based artist J.T. Hisky is gearing up for an exciting new chapter in his music career with an upcoming tour alongside rap sensation Nardo Wick this January. Hiskey, known for his distinctive blend of hip-hop and experimental sounds, has garnered attention for his innovative style and dynamic stage presence. The tour, which will hit three cities across the U.S., promises to be a unique opportunity for fans to experience Hiskey’s boundary-pushing artistry live. Nardo Wick, recognized for his hard-hitting beats and street anthems, adds an extra layer of excitement to the collaboration, bringing together two rising stars from different ends of the rap spectrum.
Felipe Esparza’s The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly tour showcases his signature blend of irreverent humor and candid storytelling. Drawing from his experiences growing up in East Los Angeles, Esparza delves into the challenges of life in a Latino family, his struggles with addiction, and the complexities of being a first-generation immigrant. His comedy is raw, unfiltered, and often self-deprecating, but it’s also filled with sharp social commentary that resonates with a wide audience. He reflects on everything from his relationship with his parents to the awkwardness of modern-day interactions, often highlighting the contradictions in society with a mix of wit and vulnerability.
Joined by fellow comedians Ralph Barbosa, Chris Estrada, Ken Flores, Frankie Quinones, and Rene Vaca, with music by Deorro, the night was an incredible celebration of Latin Comedy on a huge stage, we were honored to witness such a special night. Our friend Armando Geneyro captured the evening, check out the exclusive photo recap below.
TDE’s SiR is one of the hottest R&B artists out right now, and his recent album Heavy was the subject of critical acclaim, and fan adoration. He’s been on the road in support of the album for the last several months, but after news broke that his mother had passed away, we weren’t sure the Denver show scheduled just a few days later would happen. Shortly after, SiR himself tweeted “We gon finish this tour strong,” alleviating concerns while displaying his passion for his music and his dedication to his fans.
Killer Mike is one of the most important artists in hip hop. He’s educated, dangerous, and musically elite, authentically bridging the gap between idealism and practicality in his effective activism and powerful lyricism. The last few times we’ve seen him, he’s been serving as one half of Run The Jewels, which is always dope, but fresh off last year’s Michael (contender for AOTY) and subsequent grammy sweep, it’s only right that he’s on a solo US Tour with DJ Trackstar.
From the moment he hit the stage, Ski Mask the Slum God commanded attention of adoring fans with his infectious charisma and supreme confidence. The Florida rapper is notably present with his fans, giving off the feeling that he’s actually one of them.
It’s no secret that when it comes bars, few can even be mentioned in the same sentence as Conway The Machine, especially in 2024. Despite his international status and unanimous respect from elite emcees, Conway is still rapping like he’s got shit to prove, and he goes all the way in every time he touches the stage. His recent performance earlier this week at Cervantes was just another testament to his greatness. He rattled off all the classic griselda joints that catapulted him to fame over the last several years, and he also pulled out plenty of new material, most notably from his brand new album, Slant Face Killa.
On a hot summer evening in Denver, Schoolboy Q lit up the Mission Ballroom with his highly anticipated Blue Lips Tour, delivering an unforgettable performance that left fans buzzing with excitement. The packed out show was a testament to his undeniable talent and the continued TDE winning streak we’ve all been lucky to witness this year.
The word “iconic” gets thrown around a lot these days, but there’s really no other way to describe an evening with the great Carlos Santana at the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Santana delivered an immaculate performance as expected from one of the most celebrated guitarists of all time.
New York based songwriter Carlita Gay has arrived with her debut solo release, Focus. The ethereal record is soft, yet powerful, with gorgeous background harmonies laying the foundation for her dynamic topline melody and heartfelt lyrics. Assisted with precise jazz percussion and delicious low end sonics from Brooklyn producer Nico Tower, the song evolves from start to finish, building up to unexpected drops and energy shifts that nicely compliment the ambient vibes at its core. Subtle textures and concise instrumentation leave plenty of space for Carlita’s beautiful vocals in this unique fusion of r&b, electro, soul, and more. We’re excited to hear more from this blossoming artist, check out “Focus” below!
The Roots and Digable Planets delivered an unforgettable night at the Mission Ballroom in Denver last Saturday, July 20th. The concert was a full display of the innovative hip-hop and jazz-infused beats that both groups have become known for. The packed venue was a testament to their impressive longevity.
This year marked the 4th annual Block Party, a music festival hosted by Denver Hip Hop Station The Drop 303 (104.3). This year’s event featured legendary MC, Common, hailing from Chicago, as well as rising afrobeats star E.M.E. who is currently residing in Denver by way of Nigeria. With two distincly different sounds, the uniting factor was positive vibes and undeniable stage energy from both artists, which made for an unforgettable Saturday at Levitt Pavillion, one of Denver’s premier outdoor music venues.
The 2024 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia was an incredible celebration of music, culture, and community. Continuing the tradition, the event delivered a stellar lineup and unforgettable experiences for fans including musical performances and DJ sets, as well as live podcasting, art and food. Held in the heart of the city, the festival showcased an eclectic blend of artists across various genres ranging from Sexxy Red to Jill Scott, to Smino, and event the reinvented and highly elusive Andre 3000. As always there was a healthy platter featuring some of our favorite classic acts, as well as some of the best fresh talent in the game.
Mount Kimbie’s performance at Meow Wolf Denver on May 21st was an extraordinary fusion of sound and visuals, captivating the audience from start to finish. The renowned experimental electronic group brought their unique blend of atmospheric soundscapes and intricate beats to the immersive venue, creating an unforgettable experience. The show kicked off with a mesmerizing rendition of “Four Years in a Day” setting the tone with its ethereal melodies and pulsating rhythms, drawing the crowd into the duo’s hypnotic world.
Led by Ashley Sullivan, Sherree Lee, Joan Sullivan and Lindsey Evans, Chicago Creed is a quiet giant in the industry and has built an award winning legacy in tandem with Kingdom Records. The family led business is a unique industry connection that has bridged the generational gap within music, like many other family legacies. With major distribution through Universal Music Group and Virgin Music, Chicago Creed’s long-standing reputation for signing major talent, will be the future of the music industry.
Anyone who says hip hop is dead wasn’t at Cervantes in Denver last night. California OG’s The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief made a clear statement about the status of classic rap, rocking a completely sold out house and reminding us why both groups have managed to stay relevent for over 30 years straight.
The secret’s out that Denver is the place to be for the high holiday, 420. With the massive stoner celebration comes one of the best (if not the best) weekends of the year for live music in the city. Our friends at Cervantes always host some of the dopest shows of the weekend, and this year is no exception. From hip hop, to reggae, and beyond, check out their amazing line up of stoner friendly talent, including rare intimate shows with legends The Game, and Wiz Khalifa, as well as weed royalty Collie Buddz, and Dizzy Wright. In case you can’t make it for the holiday weekend, fear not, there’s more classic hip hop in the chamber the following weekend, with The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief on 4/28!
Be on the lookout for some big ticket giveaways on our facebook and instagram, but, there’s always a lot of extra heads in town for the party, so be sure to grab your tickets now, or forever hold your peace! Check out the full lineup below!
Dreamville Records artist Bas has been grinding it out for over a decade, and he’s leveled up once again with his recent drop, We Only Talk About Real Shit When We’re Fucked Up. Without a doubt he’s hit his stride like never before, evidenced by the star studded feature list on the new album, as well as his departure on another nation wide headline tour.
