.:The Solution w/DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & Lazy Eyez:.

Producers, beatmakers & such, The Solution Beat Battle is coming at the end of the month…Enter here…

Producers, beatmakers & such, The Solution Beat Battle is taking submissions for competitors from now until Monday, February 20th.  No application fee necessary.  Please send either:

-A soundcloud link to 3+ of your beats
or
-An e-mail with 3 beats attached
or
-A streaming link to a project you produced

and

-a photo of yourself (to be posted when the competitors are announced)

and

-a short bio

to:

thesolutionbeatbattle <at> denversolution (dot) com

Full details coming on Friday, 2/10. Submission deadline is Monday, 2/20. Participants will be announced on Thursday, 2/23.

#TheSolution5

Thursday, 2/23 -> The Solution Showcase #3 w/Trackademicks feat. DJ Tap 10, Black Actors (Quiz & .anansi), Kid Hum, DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark…

THURSDAY, 2/23 -> Before we get this started, shouts to everyone who came out to The Solution Showcase #2.  It followed in the footsteps of the first one and was a blast.  Inka One showed why he’s one of the most respected DJs in California, Es Nine blessed the crowd with some beautiful music and The Foodchain somehow squeezed their whole band into the cozy space and had a packed house going crazy.  Big ups to everyone who’s been coming out, y’all are the reason even the biggests of haters would have to say #TheSolutionShowcase is 2 for 2.  In the interest of keeping our newly minted streak going, we’ve got a hell of a lineup booked for the The Solution Showcase #3 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).

He’s one of our favorite producers out and no slouch on the mic.  His fun, breezy style of music slaps hard enough to get the attention of tastemakers like Mark Ronson and A-Trak (who signed him to his Fool’s Gold label) while his resume is thick with  diverse and talented names like Phonte, Wale, Mistah F.A.B., Lyrics Born, Little Dragon, Teedra Moses, Tanya Morgan, J’Davey, his own Honor Roll crew & more; we’re honored to bring out the bay area’s own Trackademicks.  Track will be joined by his Honor Roll brethen and one of the bay’s favorite DJs, DJ Tap 10, for their first Colorado show ever.

Above: DJ Tap 10 /// Below: Quiz (fka Sunkenstate) of Black Actors

Black Actors aka Quiz (fka Sunkenstate, of Suicide Watch fame) and .anansi will be holding down things for Denver, rocking songs from Quiz’s new Elm & Oak project, Etcetera, and more.  To represent the production side of things, we’ve got the infamous Kid Hum debuting his first live beat performance and we don’t think anybody’s ready for that.

Me and Lazy Eyez will be the night’s DJs (Sounds Supreme will be holding things down at ‘Round Midnight for The Solution Boulder), rounding out the bill and keeping the party sounding right from beginning to end.  We’ll be posting music and videos from everybody on the bill to get y’all familiar over the next few weeks, so don’t worry if you’re not familiar with someone on the bill, just trust that your favorite DJs aren’t gonna steer you wrong (a big part of The Solution Showcase is about discovering dope new music and people have been digging it).  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more details and a chance to win free tickets.  21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door. – DJ Low Key

Tags: .anansi, Black Actors, DJ Low Key, DJ Tap 10, Family Affair, Kid Hum, Lazy Eyez, Quiz, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase, Trackademicks

Every Thursday, starting 2/9/12 -> The Solution comes to Boulder at ‘Round Midnight…

It’s true…More details coming soon…

Tags: Round Midnight, The Solution Boulder

The Solution Showcase #1 Recap Video w/TiRon, Ayomari & more…Courtesy of Konsequence…

Our boy Konsequence aka Jeremy Pape put together a very dope recap of last month’s The Solution Showcase #1 that you need to check out, whether you missed the party or you were there and wanna relive the memories of a great night.  The first half introduces the lineup and the second half features TiRon & Ayomari rocking “The Luncheon” live.  If you enjoy, please post it on your fb wall, tumblr, twitter, etc or tell a friend and don’t miss The Solution Showcase #2, this Friday, 1/20!!!

Tags: Ayomari, Jeremy Pape, Konsequence, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase, TiRon

Meet the Meadowlark, home of The Solution Showcase…Also, don’t miss The Solution Showcase #2 on Friday, 1/20!!!

The Meadowlark is the home of The Solution Showcase and based on pretty much everything we heard during and after the first Solution Showcase, people really seem to love it.  It’s not a traditional hip hop venue, far from the bottle service scene and just the kind of unique spot that fits a unique party like The Solution Showcase.  The venue features both an interesting downstairs area, complete with fresh popcorn, local takeout food access and a small tiny stage area and a very cool outdoor patio that’s enclosed for the winter.  In case you missed out on last month’s party, check out the pics to get a taste of what the venue looks like and stay tuned for a recap video of The Solution Showcase #1, courtesy of our boy Konsequence.

Hopefully we’ll see you at the Meadowlark this Friday, 1/20 for The Solution Showcase #2 w/Inka One, The Foodchain, Es Nine, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).

Above: The front of the building, as seen from 27th & Larimer. /// Below: The stairs to the front entrance. Hip hop & basements go together like Exile & MPCs. – DJ Low Key

In their words: The Meadowlark Bar is one of Denver’s most distinctive, discerning and provocative live music venues!  Enjoy our outdoor patio and bar, as well as our (award winning) Open Mic, Live Bands, Dance Parties, Happy Hour Specials and more.

Denver’s Best Open Stage (Westword, 2010) /// Denver’s Best Jazz Jam (Westword, 2010) /// Denver’s Best Place to Learn to be a Rockstar (Westword, 2010) /// Denver’s Best Outdoor Stage (Westword, 2009) /// Denver’s Best Intimate Performance Space (Westword, 2008)

The building that houses Denver’s Most Intimate Venue was built in 1885, before electricity. The building’s history can begin to be evidenced by the exposed gaslight pipes in bar. Originally built as a drug and general store, the upstairs was created to house men. There were also outhouses where the Meadowlark’s famous patio now stands. A part of Denver’s historic Ballpark Neighborhood, 2701 Larimer Street is a true gem with its ornate tin cornice and cast iron store front: A facade that was built in Pittsburgh, PA and then shipped all the way to the Queen City upon the building’s construction.  The Meadowlark Bar was opened on December 27, 2005 on the Feast of St. John. The bar’s name is a metaphor for the owner’s love of the lonely openness of the American prairie and the construction of the Meadowlark is of particular note – for it is what visitors and patrons notice immediately.

The most pronounced element is that the least likely floor was chosen for the bar’s construction: the basement. But it was the basement’s rock walls that sold the owner on creating the bar down below the street – for its warmth and sensation of comfort. During construction, many changes occurred. However, the primary aim was always in-tact: the entire bar was hand-built and this was preserved by only employing a very select number of laborers and carpenters. The prime example of this philosophy stands at the center of the space: Meadowlark’s bar is a one-of-a-kind wooden bar, hand-crafted, planed and beveled in such an unorthodox manner that a bar of its kind is nearly impossible to replicate. As well, all the paint on the exterior of the building was removed to recapture the initial look of the 1885 structure.

Conceptualized as an art bar, the bar’s owner knew that lighting was of primary importance. And therefore, this served as the initial impetus for how the bar would operate, and look. To this day, Meadowlark is an art gallery, housing monthly exhibits by some of Denver’s most provocative visual artists.

After its opening in 2005, patrons of the bar were always intimately involved in its further development. The idea was always that: if you involve those around you, the conversation about how the bar was created, the “why” would always remain and furthermore, help evolve the concept. An example of this is the indoor stage and the highly-acclaimed outdoor patio and stage. For the last couple of years, on account of the leadership and the dominant ideals that were set forth, Meadowlark has become one of Denver’s most prized music and art venues – a true king in the Queen City of the Plains.

Above: Half of the downstairs area. /// Below: The Meadowlark’s patio, enclosed and heated for the winter. Just wait *cues up maniacal laughter*.

Tags: The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase

Meet the Foodchain…Our featured Denver artists for The Solution Showcase #2 on Friday, 1/20…

Since bursting on the scene in 2009 and being named Westword’s “best new hip hop crew” in their “Best of Denver” issue, The Foodchain has been one of the top groups in Colorado hip hop, making noise all the way across the front range and worldwide over three projects and on songs with the likes Talib Kweli and Big Pooh of Little Brother.  DJ Low Key calls their new album, Brunch, “one of the best #COHipHop albums of all time”, they’ve rocked with everyone from Lauryn Hill to Ice Cube over the last few years and recently signed a deal with acclaimed New York DJ Statik Selektah’s digital imprint.  Check out Brunch and learn more about the Foodchain below.

.:Download The Foodchain – Brunch for free on bandcamp:.

After you’ve listened to Brunch, check out more Food Chain Albums here and videos below.

From their bio: The Foodchain, a hip hop collective based out of Denver, Colorado is a one of a kind team of M.C’s and producers. The band of “Super Friends’” vocal representation consists of four MC’s Mic Coats, C-1, FL, and ChampionSoundKillaBlack, internally dubbed “the offense”.Conversely, “the defense” provides the group’s sound, and is driven by two incredible producers, Mass Prod and MoHeat on Keys, turntablist and bassist DJ Louiscide, and percussionist Alex The Great.

Catch The Foodchain rocking along with Inka One, Es Nine, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme and Lazy Eyez at The Solution Showcase #2 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  And in keeping with the Brunch theme, we’ll have complimentary silver dollar pancakes from 9-10pm to sweeten the deal, so make sure you come out early.  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more info, a chance to win free tickets & another contest.  21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown (plus get 15% your entire purchase when you buy a Solution Showcase ticket) /// $8 at the door.

Tags: #COHipHop, The Foodchain, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase

TiRon & Ayomari interview from The Smoking Section…Catch them at the Solution Showcase #1 on 12/15!!!

Tags: Ayomari, The Solution Showcase, TiRon, TSS

Thursday, 12/15 -> The Solution Showcase #1 w/TiRon & Ayomari, Turner Jackson feat. DJ Dozen, The Girlgrabbers, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & more at the Meadowlark…

THURSDAY, 12/15 -> I’m super excited to announce the launch of The Solution Showcase, a new monthly party/show/event/whatever-you-wanna-call-it that we’re throwing at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  In the same way that me and Sounds Supreme started The Solution to be the kind of party we’d wanna go to, The Solution Showcase is gonna combine the vibe of The Solution with a live show element; showcasing an up and coming out of town act, a dope Denver artist and a Denver-based producer or production crew each month, plus assorted other goodness.

To get things started right, we’re bringing out critically acclaimed and super dope Los Angeles-based rappers TiRon and Ayomari, whose recently released album, A Sucker For Pumps (available to stream free here), is one of the best projects I’ve heard all year (up there with Section .80, Watch The Throne, Charity Starts At Home, To Live For, To Die For & such).  And I’m not alone, Dream Hampton, co-author of Jay-Z’s book Decoded called it a classic and her favorite album of the year, hugely popular blog the Smoking Section gave it 4 1/2 of 5 stars and the album has landed them on numerous bills in LA alongside Dr. Dre’s favorite new rapper, Kendrick Lamar.  You may have also gotten familiar with TiRon and Ayomari via T&A:The Prelude to ASFP (the mixtape I did for them earlier this year, download it here), Ketchup (my other mixtape collab with TiRon and 2Dopeboyz’s favorite mixtape of 2009, download it here), MSTRD, the PB & J Solution or collabs with the likes of Blu, Pac Div, Miguel, Asher Roth, Oddisee and so on.

TiRon and Ayomari will be joined by Denver’s own Turner Jackson, whose last album, My Heart Needs Space (available for free download here), is one of the best local projects I heard all year and showed ridiculous growth from the young MC.  His frequent collaborator and youngest DJ in charge, DJ Dozen, will hold him down on the turntables for the night.  The Girlgrabbers (aka Q-Knox, GypDaHip & Brik-A-Brak) will be showcasing their one of a kind musical magic as our featured producers for the night (check out some of their prolific catalogue here).  In classic Solution fashion, me & Sounds Supreme will round out the lineup as the night’s DJs, rocking all the best in hip hop and more.  We’ll be posting music and videos from everybody on the bill to get y’all familiar over the next month or so, so don’t worry if you’re not up on the whole lineup, just trust that the DJs you like aren’t gonna steer you wrong (a big part of this night is gonna be about discovering great new music and we think you’re gonna love it).  Also, we’ve got a few surprises to announce that’ll make the night even better, so stay tuned to @DenverSolution for those last few details and a chance to win free tickets.  21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown after Thanksgiving /// $8 at the door. – DJ Low Key

P.S. The Meadowlark is a pretty small venue and this show could very well sell out, so don’t sleep!!!!!

P.P.S. This is just the start of a bunch of big Solution news…We’re about to make up for lost time in a major way, watch!!!

Tags: Ayomari, DJ Dozen, DJ Low Key, Family Affair, Sounds Supreme, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase, TiRon, Turner Jackson

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A few pics from the Solution’s 5th Annual Lessondary Birthday Extravaganza…More coming soon…

Here’s a few pics of the madness at the Solution’s 5th Annual Lessondary Birthday Extravaganza…More are on the way…Shouts to Donwill & Von Pea aka Tanya Morgan for hosting/performing, the June birthdays in the house (Charley Cox, MC Big House & Monique), The Hai Bar/Sushi Hai for being such a gracious host (they raved about how cool the vibe was, thanks to the cool crowd) and most importantly, everybody who came out to celebrate. The craziest thing about this annual party is that even though we’re celebrating birthdays, it’s not like there’s some magically delicious cake or party games or even presents that make the party so much fun, it’s all of the great people who come to enjoy great music.  So thanks again for all the love Denver, y’all are cool as hell!!!

Above: Donwill, DJ Low Key & Von Pea /// Below: DJ Low Key /// Top Pic: Von Pea and the crowd /// Pics courtesy of Dana Seewald

Tags: Charley Cox, Donwill, lessondary, MC Big House, Sushi Hai, Tanya Morgan, The Hai Bar, Von Pea