SATURDAY, 5/26 -> May’s Solution Showcase is a beast!!!  We’ve got one of Common & 9th Wonder’s new favorites, Chicago’s own Add-2, CO’s wildest group, BLKHRTS, the live production debut (!!!!!) from Izaak Haze aka Mass Prod and Mo Heat from the Foodchain, The Solution’s own DJ Low Key and more for The Solution Showcase #6 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer).  Don’t sweat it 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, you’ll dig it, trust). So stay tuned to DenverSolution.com to learn more about the performers and hopefully we’ll see you at the party! 21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 9.

We were excited to see that our friend and insanely talented producer Boonie Mayfield featured lots of footage from the Solution Beat Battle, some bits with Solution co-founder DJ Low Key and a studio session with Che Grand (our guest for The Soluton Showcase #4, song coming late Summer/early Fall) on his latest episode of Boon Documented (Do It Live:Episode 3).  We think the show is top notch, take a quick look and if you dig it, make sure you check out more episodes of Boon Documented here, as well as Boonie’s debut project from last year, Black Koolaid.

Click here to view the embedded video.

2012 DMC DENVER CO Regional DJ Battle
May 11, 2012

Presented by The Solution

Host: DJ Lazy Eyez
Showcase by DMC World Champion: DJ Shiftee!
Judges: DJ Shiftee, DJ Chonz and more tba.
Partyrocking: DJ Es-Nine & Low Key

9pm-?
18+ / 21+ to drink.
Buy tickets at www.casselmans.com

Casselmans
2620 Walnut St.
Denver CO 80205
www.casselmans.com

No Filming. Still Photography OK
Presented by
www.DJLazyEyez.com www.DenverSolution.com

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/232834570133899/

More competition info at details at the official DMC web site.

THURSDAY, 5/3 -> By popular demand, it’s back.  People were bugging out the first time we brought chicken & waffles to Boulder, so we had to bring it back to The Solution Boulder at ‘Round Midnight (1005 Pearl St) one more time before the semester ends.  Complimentary chicken & waffles from 10 til midnight (we raised the bar last time with waffle makers in the club and we’re doing it again), $3 mimosas + $3 craft beer specials and DJ Low Key & DJ B-Money spinning all the best hip hop, R&B, soul, funk, reggae & more (with a west coast tilt, as is customary for chicken & waffles) all night.  21+ /// No cover /// Music at 10pm.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Above: Median “The Sender”, produced by 9th Wonder, from Median’s 2011 album, The Sender (stream the whole album on spotify here).

All the way from North Carolina, allow us to introduce you to our good friend Median, founding member of the Justus League and one of the most talented MCs to debut in the last decade.  Median first popped up with a show-stealing verse on Little Brother’s classic debut, The Listening (link below), followed that up with two fantastic appearances on The Foreign Exchange’s first album, Connected, and from there music fans who’ve heard his music have been left raving, including everyone from the legendary Jill Scott to our first Solution Showcase import, TiRon.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Catch Median, along with Whygee feat. DJ Brik-A-Brak, DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & more at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St) on Saturday, 4/28 for The Solution Showcase #5.  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more info, a chance to win free tickets & more.  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.

.:Download Median’s Relief In The Making (mixed by DJ Low Key & hosted by 9th Wonder):.

In case you missed it, The Solution’s own DJ Low Key linked with Median and Grammy-winning producer 9th Wonder for Median’s Relief In The Making, his only mixtape and the prequel to Median’s debut album Relief.  The tape features 29 tracks featuring production from 9th Wonder, Nicolay, Khrysis, M-Phazes and more, plus features from Little Brother (Phonte & Big Pooh), Tanya Morgan, Kenn Starr, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Chaundon, Spectac, Edgar Allen Floe and others.  Download it for free here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Above: Median feat. Phonte, Yahzarah & Bahamadia “Special” from Median’s The Sender /// Below: Little Brother feat. Median “Shorty On The Lookout” from The Listening.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Above: The Foreign Exchange feat. Median “All That You Are” from The Foreign Exchange’s Connected /// Below: The Foreign Exchange feat. D-Brock & Median “Maybe She’ll Dream of Me (Pure P’s Sky Hygh Remix)” – Vinyl Only Remix. /// Below That: Phonte feat. Median “Eternally”, produced by 9th Wonder, from Phonte’s Charity Starts At Home.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Denver, meet Whygee.  In fact, if you’ve been paying attention to #COhiphop scene at all over the last few years you should already know him from such acclaimed projects as his recent collab with Denver musical mastermind Q-Knox, I Need $, CMJ chart favorite Suicide Watch (w/Kid Hum, B Money & Quiz fka Sunkenstate), Dispensary Music (w/King F.O.E.) and Hype Killz, his mixtape collaboration with The Solution’s own Sounds Supreme.  Just in time for Summer, Whygee’s dropping Hype Killz 2012 aka HK2012 and he’s doing it at The Solution Showcase #5.  This time around he’s not only linking with Sounds Supreme again but also enlisting his show DJ, Brik-A-Brak, and DJ Ear Attent to up the ante for HK2012.  The tape features production from CO beat heavyweights, Gyp Da Hip and Big J Beats (both former guest at The Solution Showcase), as well as a few other surprises.

Check out the videos and audio links to get familiar with one of The Solution’s all-time favorite rappers in Denver and catch Whygee w/DJ Brik-A-Brak rocking all new material from HK2012 on Saturday, 4/28 at The Solution Showcase #5, along with Median (NC///Foreign Exchange Music///JAMLA Records), BK Beats (The Solution Beat Battle winner), DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & more at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more info, a chance to win free tickets & more.  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.

P.S. Whygee will be celebrating his birthday (his actual birthday is Monday 4/30), so make sure grab him a birthday drink!  Preferably after he rocks…LOL…

.:Download Whygee & Sounds Supreme – Hype Killz:.

Normally we feature a Colorado producer at The Solution Showcase, but this month we’re making an exception to feature the surprise winner of  last month’s Solution Beat Battle, Albuquerque ’s own BK Beats.  BK beat out an insanely talented group of producers to take the title and we’re excited to feature him on Saturday, 4/28 on at The Solution Showcase #5, along with Median (NC///Foreign Exchange Music///JAMLA Records), Whygee w/DJ Brik-Abrak, DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & more at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more info, a chance to win free tickets & more.  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.

To find out more about BK Beats, check out this recent interview he did with DJ Low Key below, as well as some links to music and footage from the battle itself.

DJ Low Key: I’ve gotta get it out of the way, what does the BK in BK Beats stand for?

BK Beats: Haha, shit. “Blunt Kid”. It was a nickname I got as a teenager that stuck unfortunately.

DJ Low Key: Sounds like you’ve had that name for a while, how long have you been producing/making beats for?

BK Beats: Haha, yeah man. Been making beats more seriously for the last 2 years, dabbling for probably another 2 before that.

DJ Low Key: What initially inspired you to get in to making beats?

BK Beats: I always did music since a kid, but basically getting more educated on hip hop.  “Award Tour” was big for me, as was Nas “The Message”.  Once I figured out that those were old records re-chopped, I was more curious and bought [the popular production software] Fruity Loops in high school.  Sadly, Dilla’s passing also inspired me a lot.  Ruff Draft and stuff like that really made me wanna do it.

DJ Low Key: Speaking of Detroit, you’ve done songs with Ro Spit and Fat Ray, two up and coming Detroit artists, as well other noteworthy artists from across the country, such as Add-2 in Chicago and Moe Green and Squadda B (of Main Attrakionz) in the Bay; how do these collabs usually come together?

BK Beats: With the Detroit cats, I was just a fan of the whole scene. Sort of just reached out over Twitter and eventually got cats emails.  Basically Twitter all around man, it makes artists accessible enough I guess.  I’m a fan of cats and I may hit them over Twitter and ask for their email address and go from there.

DJ Low Key: What about your music do you think got the attention of those artists when numerous up and coming producers are hitting them up online regularly?

BK Beats: I try to make every beat my own, and really put myself into the music.  Whatever style it is, I try to do something different or sample something no one would.  For example, sending a beat using a european progressive rock sample when everyone else has been sending Lex Luger style keyboard jams.  No hate to Lex. I’m a fan, haha.

DJ Low Key: Using a variety of samples and sounds is something that the judges at The Solution Beat Battle all mentioned as part of why you won, do you consider yourself as having a particular style?

BK Beats: Ummmm, I would say drums are always an important part of my beats.  Nowadays, I’m leaning away from sampling a bit, but I’ve been told my drums are sort of a trademark.

DJ Low Key: The Solution is based out of Colorado and you’re in Alburquerque, New Mexico; how’d you find out about the beat battle?

BK Beats: A friend/fellow producer really looked out for me on that one. A Chicago cat by the name of ImTrumaine told me Boonie [Mayfield] had been tweeting about it and I should try, so I sent a few [beat] over while I was at work like right before the deadline, haha.

DJ Low Key: Were you worried or nervous about coming from out of state to compete?

BK Beats: Definitely! NERVOUS AS HELL! Haha. But more so felt lucky and blessed becuase my city doesn’t have alot of the same opportunities and such.  I was still nervous after I won, like shaking nervous man smh.

Click here to view the embedded video.

DJ Low Key: Leading up the final round, was there any producer at the battle you were especially worried about facing head to head?

BK Beats: Man everybody had heat to be honest!  Shouts to Cliff Cage, Big J, Dealz…A lotta skills in that room.  I forget the [names of the] other cats I met, but I was feeling like just a fan again for sure.  I thought Big J had me that last round to be honest.

DJ Low Key: The entire lineup was ridiculous, big ups to everyone involved. Before the battle you mentioned you were a fan of Tanya Morgan, who performed and were two of the judges at the battle; any thoughts of hitting them up on Twitter afterwards?

BK Beats: HUGE fan! I had to get my nerd on and snap a flick with them too, haha. But as far as trying to work, I feel like I’m not on that level yet.  Plus, Von’s [Von Pea, producer/MC in the group Tanya Morgan] got BEATS! WOO!!! I felt like it may be better if I just took their judging as a cosign and kept it moving.

DJ Low Key: Part of your prize for winning The Solution Beat Battle was studio time at Side 3 Studios, generally considered to be the best in Colorado; what was your session like there and when can we hear the results?

BK Beats: Maaaan it was amazing! Huge shout outs to Chase [at Side 3]. He got EXACTLY what I was trying to convey.  That whole spot is mind blowing. I will be playing two of the songs next Saturday [4/28, at The Solution Showcase #5, details here] and then releasing an EP with my keys/guitar player Pablo before Summer.

DJ Low Key: What’s the name of the EP? Any other projects can we expect from you later in 2012?

BK Beats: Untitled so far but i just released the 1st single “STR8 Gorgeous” last week on my bandcamp page, www.bkbeats.bandcamp.com.  I will have this ep, songs with a few cats from the bay area. expect more from me and Moe Green, Shady Blaze, Deniro Farrar out of NC and Epp from Portland, all leading up to a solo beat tape.

DJ Low Key: Sounds like a busy Summer.  Any other shouts before we see you back in Denver for The Solution Showcase #5 on Saturday, 4/28?

BK Beats: Yeah, crazy hectic.  SHOUTS to you! The Solution, Family Affair, Tanya Morgan, Courtland, Boonie. Everybody who showed love after the show, you guys keep me going for real!

SATURDAY, 4/28 -> Ding ding, round 5!!!  It’s about time for The Solution Showcase to hit you with another dose of goodness and this month is a doozy.  For The Solution Showcase #5, we’re featuring your favorite MC’s favorite MC and Justus League OG, Median (NC///Foreign Exchange Music///JAMLA Records), the hype killer himself, Whygee w/DJ Brik-A-Brak, The Solution Beat Battle’s darkhorse winner, BK Beats, and of course, at least 2/3rds of The Solution DJs, DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at The Meadowlark (2701 Larimer). 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 anyway, people have been digging it). So head over to DenverSolution.com to learn more about the performers and hopefully we’ll see you out for the party! 21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 9.

.:VOTE DJ LOW KEY FOR BEST HIP HOP DJ:.

The Solution’s own DJ Low Key is nominated for “best hip hop DJ” in the 2012 Westword Music Showcase (he’s won a few times already, but we’re overdue to add another award to our collection so make sure you go vote).  Please take a quick minute to vote for him, a vote for Low Key is a vote for The Solution.  More about it, in his own words from from djlowkey.com:

It’s Westword Music Showcase time and I’m nominated again (shouts to the nominating committee, I appreciate the recognition & Westword, Denver’s premier music/arts/entertainment magazine)!!!  It’s an honor in itself to be nominated, but everyone wants to win.  With that said, please do me a favor and head over to the Westword Music Showcase site, find the “DJ – Hip Hop” category towards the bottom (category #38) and vote for your boy.  Thanks again y’all, I appreciate the support.  Last but not least, props to all the dope DJs around town, both those nominated and not.

Meet Big J Beats & Marky Bias aka 1984.  Big J Beats is one of Denver’s top producers, almost taking The Solution Beat Battle crown last month (he was runner up) and recently producing all of Turner Jackson’s acclaimed Star Destroyer album.  Marky Bias is a freestyle champ and Big J’s rapping counterpart in 1984.  You can catch them throughout the front range, blowing away crowds with their unique mix of live production and dope raps.

Their bio reads:

1984: Heavy lyricists, originally from Pueblo, Colorado. This Denver based Hip Hop duo is 2010’s version of the Fat Boyz. Having lived past lives in Heavy Metal bands, 1984 is composed of freestyle champ, Marky Bias and Big J. Beats, an amazing producer/digger/drummer. They rock shows, and make live beats with laptops, buttons and control pads. They are not typical rappers. They don’t look like rappers. They don’t act like rappers, and they rap better than most rappers.  -Aisha Renee /// Happy Little Tree’s Design Studio

.:Download Turner Jackson’s Star Destroyer, entirely produced by Big J Beats:.

Catch 1984 rocking along with Che Grand, Dealz Makes Beats, DJ Low Key and Lazy Eyez at The Solution Showcase #4 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more info, a chance to win free tickets & more.  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.