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

Wednesday, 2/27 -> The 2013 Solution Beat Battle w/special guests Exile & Johaz aka Dag Savage, 2012 winner BK Beats, co-host Boonie Mayfield, one man band DJ Fast Forward, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & more at Beauty Bar Denver…

WEDNESDAY, 2/27 -> It’s that time of year again.  #TheSolution6 is in full effect and The Solution Beat Battle is back for another year of ridiculous chops, club bangers, head nodders, face scrunchers, and all the other great varieties of beats you hear producers pull out for battles.  Just like last year, a dozen of Denver’s top producers will face off head to head to see who has the best beats in town for prize package including studio time at Denver’s premier record facility, Side 3 Studios, a $200 gear package, a paid guest feature at an upcoming Solution Showcase & more TBA.  As if hearing a dozen of Colorado’s top producers show off their A-game wasn’t enough, we’ve also packed out the bill with some amazing talent, check out the battle’s guest lineup:

Dag Savage (aka MPC mastermind Exile & MC Johaz)

2012 Beat Battle winner BK Beats (read his recap of it here)

Incredible one man band/DJ/singer/etc Fast Forward

CO production legend Boonie Mayfield on co-hosting duties

DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme on the turntables & more

Beauty Bar Denver (608 E. 13th St) / 9pm / 21+ / $10 Cover / Only $5 if you buy a pre-sale ticket at The Solution Showcase #13 on 2/22 or the Sound College x The Solution J Dilla Celebration on 2/24.

Producers, beatmakers, musicians & such, if you’d like to enter, here’s what you need to do by midnight on Sunday, 2/24.  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

No application fee necessary.  Once again, the submission deadline is Sunday, 2/24 at midnight.  Participants will be announced on Monday, 2/25.  Last but not least, here’s a little audio from last time Exile visited The Solution (along with DJ Day and surprise guests Tanya Morgan & Che Grand):

#TheSolution6

Tags: #COHipHop, #TheSolution6, Beauty Bar Denver, BK Beats, Boonie Mayfield, Dag Savage, DJ Fast Forward, DJ Low Key, Exile, Fast Forward, Johaz, Side 3 Studios, Sounds Supreme, The 2013 Solution Beat Battle, The Solution Beat Battle

Meet Spree Wilson, our featured out of town act for The Solution Showcase #11 on 12/22 at the Meadowlark…

Denver, meet ATLien Spree Wilson.  We first heard of Spree a few years back when he dropped “Word!” with one of his mentors No I.D. (video below) because well, we’ll check out anything No I.D. produces based on his work with Common, Jay-Z and such, not to mention the mentoring of his most infamous protege, Kanye West.  It took me a minute to get used to Spree’s voice and No I.D.’s strangely electronic beat but it grew on me, just as I was hearing other work of his pop up on albums/mixtapes with Novel and DJ Deckstream and realizing the full on scope of dude’s talent.  From there we heard a few more solo joints, “Pick You Apart” and some leaks from his critically acclaimed The Never Ending Now project which became staples in DJ sets at The Solution and while Low Key DJed at Guess.

Above: “Right One, Wrong Time”, one of our 2012 favorites.  /// Below: Very dope video for Spree Wilson feat Novel “King Sh*t (The Answer)”.

Next thing I know I’m seeing Q-Tip shouting out Spree Wilson left and right, mentioning they’re working together some and talk of Spree linking up with the likes of Outkast producers extraordinaires Organized Noise and The Flush, as well as G.O.O.D. music.  Spree did in fact link up with Kanye and crew, with writing credits on the Cruel Summer album plus six more yet to be released songs (!!!!!), as well as getting some work on the upcoming Cee-Lo and Theophilus London projects.  Then just a few weeks back, Spree dropped the ATL-bass inspired super JAM, “Right One, Wrong Time”, that we can’t stop playing, making now a great time to have him out for The Solution Showcase.

Above: Spree Wilson “Word!” (produced by No I.D.) /// Below: “Sin City”, John Legend, Travis Scott, Teyana Taylor, CyHi Da Prynce & Malik Yusef “Sin City”, co-written by Spree Wilson.

So now that you’re up on Spree Wilson, we probably don’t need to remind you that Saturday, 12/22 is your monthly chance to see a top notch talent in an award-winning intimate venue before they blow up, right?  Catch Spree making his Denver debut, along with CO production legend Boonie Mayfield, Fresh Breath Committee’s Fo Chief, eclectic producer/DJ Neon Brown and all three Solution DJs; DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & Lazy Eyez for The Solution Showcase #11 on 12/22 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).

Tags: Boonie Mayfield, DJ Low Key, Fo Chief, Fresh Breath Committee, Lazy Eyez, Neon Brown, Sounds Supreme, Spree Wilson, The Meadowlark, The Solution, The Solution Showcase

Saturday, 12/22 -> The Solution Showcase #11 w/Spree Wilson (ATL), Boonie Mayfield, Fo Chief, Neon Brown, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark…Extra thick lineup to celebrate one year of showcases!

SATURDAY, 12/22 -> After featuring “Hov’s fav cat”/Questlove protege Danny! at last month’s Solution Showcase, we’re back at it with another ridiculously talented new artist who’s been racking up praise from legends and an extra thick lineup to celebrate the showcase’s one year anniversary (thanks for helping us make it happen Denver!!!).  This month’s Solution Showcase #11 features Atlanta-based Q-Tip/No I.D. protege Spree Wilson, CO production legend Boonie Mayfield, Fresh Breath Committee’s Fo Chief, eclectic producer/DJ Neon Brown and all three Solution DJs; DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & Lazy Eyez.  Catch this stacked lineup at the Meadowlark as we celebrate one year of bringing out the best in up & coming and CO-based hip hop acts to Denver each month.  $5 pre-sale tickets are available at all 3 Family Affair locations and get you 15% off your entire purchase, perfect for holiday shopping.  Otherwise, it’s only an $8 cover to catch 7 top notch acts at an award-winning venue.  2701 Larimer St / 21+ / Doors at 9pm.

Tags: Boonie Mayfield, Catch Lungs, DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez, Neon Brown, Sounds Supreme, Spree Wilson, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase

The Solution Beat Battle and DJ Low Key on Boonie Mayfield’s Boon Documented series…

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.

Tags: Boon Doc, Boon Documented, Boonie Mayfield, Che Grand, DJ Low Key, The Solution Beat Battle

The Solution Beat Battle Contestants…Catch The Solution Beat Battle at La Rumba on Sunday, 2/26 w/special guests Boonie Mayfield, Tanya Morgan & Courtland Urbano fka Xperiment…

SUNDAY, 2/26 -> After a lot of deliberation and a ton of listens to all the great submissions we got, we finally narrowed everything down to the twelve producers that we think will go hardest in the battle yesterday.  We got a ton of top notch beat submissions; some were really dope just too relaxed for a battle, some showed a lot of potential but needed a little refinement and someone had to be the tough 13th person who was super close to making it so if you submitted and didn’t get in, definitely don’t think it was because your beats were wack (although we did get a couple of wack submissions, can’t win ‘em all…LOL).  With that said, here are the 12 competitors for The Solution Beat Battle:

Jay Gunna
Dealz Makes Beats
Yonnas
DJ Matt Cassidy
Cliff Cage
One Flu Over
Big J Beats
Infamous Jones
BK Beats
Nofrendo
IQ
Intricate Dezighn

And here’s more info on The Solution Beat Battle at La Rumba (99 W. 9th Ave) in case you missed it the first time around.  At the battle, a dozen of Denver’s top producers will face off head to head to see who has the best beats in town for the title, studio time from Side 3 (Denver’s top recording facility), a huge gear package from Family Affair and a paid feature at an upcoming Solution Showcase .  Colorado production icon Boonie Mayfield & beat prodigy Courtland Urbano (fka Xperiment) will be rocking live beat showcases and “legends in the making” (according to Ali Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest)/new school vets Tanya Morgan will be performing to headline the event.  Last but not least, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & Lazy Eyez will be on the turntables throughout the night.  21+ / $10 cover / doors at 9.

Tags: #TheSolution5, Boonie Mayfield, Courtland Urbano, Tanya Morgan, The Solution Beat Battle, Xperiment

What is #TheSolution5?

(click to enlarge flyer)

February 2012 marks 5 years of The Solution and before anything else can be mentioned, we have to thank everyone in Denver and beyond who’s come out to the party.  Whether it was in our earliest days at the Shelter/Milk Bar or at our longest running home, The Funky Buddha, or maybe you just learned about us via The Solution Showcase at the Meadowlark over the last month or two, it doesn’t matter; we wouldn’t be able to do anything cool without your love and support.  With that said, a lot has changed since we started the party and we want to make sure everyone knows about what we’re up to going forward.

As you might have noticed, the party has grown beyond just a club night.  Last year, we embarked on a statewide tour with Tanya Morgan, TiRon, Whygee, King F.O.E. & Boonie Mayfield, threw our first BBQ (with our good friends Family Affair) and started a monthly spinoff based around showcasing new talent, called The Solution Showcase, at the Meadowlark.  This year we’ve already launched The Solution Boulder at ‘Round Midnight, we’re about to take the party outside of our great state for some collabs with like-minded parties in other cities and this month, we’re going to celebrate our 5 years with 5 events that we call The Solution 5 aka #TheSolution5.

With that in mind, what hasn’t changed about The Solution is that we’re still dedicated to making sure every event we throw is something we’d wanna go to, something fun and, hopefully, something a little more unique than your average party.  With that in mind, let us tell you about what we’ve got in store for #TheSolution5.

Wednesday, February 22nd we’re teaming up with world renowned Red Bull Music Academy for what’s shaping up to be a one of a kind celebration of the man who was quite possibly the greatest hip hop producer ever, J Dilla.  We’re throwing the party at Beta Nightclub (1909 Blake St) and it’s an unprecedented event to hear Dilla’s music on one of the best sound systems in the world.  As if that wasn’t enough, we’re bringing out the legendary DJ Spinna (New York) and frequent Dilla collaborators and Detroit icons Waajeed & Phat Kat out to celebrate with us.  Phat Kat will be rocking with Dameion Hines and Q-Knox of Big Wheel, who’ll also be performing a tribute to Jay Dee of their own.  The Solution DJs aka DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme and Lazy Eyez will be on the turntables to kick things off and with Dilla’s catalogue, you’re gonna miss some incredible music if you show up late.

Thursday, February 23rd is The Solution Showcase #3 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St) and the lineup is ridiculous.  We’ve got Trackademicks (of A-Trak’s Fool’s Gold Records) and DJ Tap 10 coming out from the Bay, bringing a trademark slap that’s one of our favorite sounds out.  Black Actors (Quiz fka Sunkenstate and .anansi) is our Denver feature and the one and only Kid Hum will be making his live production debut, plus DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez will get the party started.

Saturday, February 25th is the opening of The Art Of Records at Family Affair downtown (2048 Larimer St) from 6-9pm.  It’s an art show based around classic hip hop album artwork being interpreted by top Colorado-based artists including the likes of Dunn The Signtologist, Path One, Thomas Evans, Tristan Minton & more, curated by Dunn himself and DJ Low Key.  We’ll be displaying the actual 12″ album covers next to the artwork and DJ Low Key will be spinning the records on display throughout the evening to bring things full circle.

Sunday, February 26th we’re excited to present The Solution Beat Battle at La Rumba (99 W. 9th Ave).  A dozen of Denver’s top producers will face off head to head to see who has the best beats in town.  Producer extraordinaire Boonie Mayfield will be rocking a live beat showcase, “legends in the making” (according to Ali Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest) and new school vets Tanya Morgan will be performing and we still have more on the bill to be announced shortly.  If you’re a producer or beatmaker looking to enter, check out this post for more info.

Every Thursday night in Boulder, don’t miss our fifth event of the #TheSolution5, The Solution Boulder, at ‘Round Midnight (1005 Pearl St).   In the coming weeks, we’ll be throwing our infamous chicken & waffles party up there, featuring a performance from Tanya Morgan, hosting a women’s shoe and fashion show with Installation (an easy contender for best shoe store in the whole state) and a whole lot more.

So thanks again for everything Colorado, you’re the best. Here’s to the next 5 years and beyond.

Tags: #TheSolution5, Beta Nightclub, Black Actors, Boonie Mayfield, Dilla, DJ Low Key, DJ Tap 10, Dunn the Signtologist, Family Affair, J DIlla, Kid Hum, La Rumba, Lazy Eyez, Meadlowlark, Red Bull Music Academy, Sounds Supreme, Tanya Morgan, The Art Of Records, The Solution Beat Battle, The Solution Boulder, The Solution Showcase, Trackademicks

Sunday, 2/26 -> The Solution Beat Battle at La Rumba w/special guests Boonie Mayfield, Tanya Morgan & Courtland Urbano fka Xperiment…

SUNDAY, 2/26 -> We’re excited to present The Solution Beat Battle at La Rumba (99 W. 9th Ave).  A dozen of Denver’s top producers will face off head to head to see who has the best beats in town.  Colorado production icon Boonie Mayfield & beat prodigy Courtland Urbano (fka Xperiment) will be rocking live beat showcases and “legends in the making” (according to Ali Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest)/new school vets Tanya Morgan will be performing.  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

Submission deadline is Monday, 2/20. Participants will be announced on Thursday, 2/23.

#TheSolution5

UPDATE: Prize packages announced. The winners gets recording time at Side 3 Studios (Denver’s premier recording facility), a gear package from Family Affair (value at $200+) and will be a paid featured producer at an upcoming Solution Showcase.

Tags: #TheSolution5, Boonie Mayfield, Courtland Urbano, DJ Low Key, La Rumba, Lazy Eyez, Sounds Supreme, Tanya Morgan, The Solution Beat Battle, Xperiment

Play Cousin (Boonie Mayfield & Jordan Craft) added to the Ahead of the Class tour dates in Colorado Springs & Denver…

We’re excited to announce that Play Cousin, the newly formed duo consisting of internationally acclaimed producer/MC Boonie Mayfield and rhyme-slinger Jordan Craft, will be opening for both the Colorado Springs (March 10th at the Black Sheep) and Denver (March 12th at the Marquis) dates of the Ahead of the Class tour.  It marks the duo’s first performance together as Play Cousin and makes for a nice bonus on the already stacked Ahead of the Class bills.  Check out the video above for an introduction to Play Cousin and check below to see Boonie makes a beat live (in his infamous youtube video that has over 885,000 views).

Tags: Boonie Mayfield, Jordan Craft, Play Cousin, The Ahead of the Class Tour

The Ahead of the Class CO Tour w/Tanya Morgan, TiRon, Whygee, King F.O.E., DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guests…

The Solution, Akomplice & Snowboard Mag present the Ahead of the Class CO Tour w/Tanya Morgan, TiRon, Whygee, King F.O.E., DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guests…

Wednesday, 3/9 -> Cecilia’s in Breckenridge (520 S. Main Street) – Doors at 9 /// $10 for 21+

Thursday, 3/10 -> Black Sheep in Colorado Springs (2106 E. Platte Ave) – Doors at 8 /// $10 for 21/$12 for all ages /// Plus special guests The Boombox Saints for their official album release party and the debut performance of Play Cousin (Boonie Mayfield & Jordan Craft). Buy tickets now.

Saturday, 3/12 -> The Marquis in Denver (2009 Larimer St) – Doors at 9 /// $10 for 21/$12 for all ages /// Plus an Akomplice Fashion Show and the Denver debut of Play Cousin (Boonie Mayfield & Jordan Craft). Buy tickets now /// Tickets also available at Family Affair (21st & Larimer downtown) or from DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez or Whygee with no ticket fees.

Tuesday, 3/15 -> Round Midnight in Boulder (1005 Pearl Street) – Doors at 9 /// $5 before 11, $10 after for 21+ /// Plus an Akomplice Fashion Show and special guest, world renowned turntablist DJ Vajra.

.:Download The Ahead of the Class Tour Sampler (right click on a PC):.

Stay tuned for more videos and free MP3s as we get closer to the tour and make sure to cop your pre-sale tickets, some shows will sell out!!!  Also, you can follow everyone from the tour on twitter by checking out this list.   Last but not least, here’s some words, video & music to help get you familiar with the tour’s lineup:

“Quietly and stealthily, they’ve evolved into one of the finest groups of their generation” – The L.A. Times on Tanya Morgan

“TiRon isn’t your average rapper, he’s something more” – XXL Magazine on TiRon

“With all due respect to Talib and Hi-Tek, I’m actually more inclined to revisit team Tanya’s likeably loose, bordering-on-sloppy inaugural effort than said ballyhooed backpack-crowd classic.” – Chairman Mao of XXL Chairman’s Choice & Ego Trip

“Los Angeles’ Best Rapper” – The L.A. Times on TiRon

“Tanya Morgan are like the sons of De La Soul– soulful, stressed, effortlessly smart flows, intricate production, the whole package.” – SPIN Music Editor Charles Aaron on Tanya Morgan

“My personal favorite” mixtape of 2009 – Shake of 2Dopeboyz.com on TiRon & DJ Low Key’s Ketchup

“”Tanya Morgan is bolder and braver than forbearers like Black Star and Slum Village…an expansive tour de force” – Vibe.com on Tanya Morgan

“Best emcee-based mixtape of 2009″ – PopularLemonade.com on TiRon & DJ Low Key’s Ketchup

“The trio’s savory Bridge EP demonstrates why Tanya Morgan has been a critical favorite for the last several years. Their deliveries are effortless, their beats run the gamut from smooth to boom-bappy, and their music has an inspiring vibe.” – The Source

Free MP3 Downloads (Round 1):

.:Tanya Morgan presents Donwill & Von Pea – The Sandwich Shop:.

.:TiRon – MSTRD:.

.:Whygee & Sounds Supreme – Hype Killz Volume 1:.

Free MP3 Downloads (Round 2):

.:DJ Soul presents Tanya Morgan Is A Rap Group:.

.:TiRon – Ketchup (mixed by DJ Low Key):.

.:King F.O.E. – Fuck F.O.E. + Bonus: It Sucks To be You:.

Tags: Black Sheep, Boonie Mayfield, Cecilia's, DJ Low Key, Family Affair, King F.O.E., Lazy Eyez, Play Cousin, Round Midnight, Tanya Morgan, The Ahead of the Class Tour, The Marquis, TiRon, Whygee

I Remember: The top 3 Solution moments from Boonie Mayfield & Che Grand…

To get ready for the 4th Anniversary of the Solution on Friday, Feb. 4th, we’re checking in with some of our favorite regulars and people around Denver to hear what their favorite moments from the party have been.  Here’s favorites from two-time Denver Big Tune Champ and producer extraordinaire Boonie Mayfield and Brookyn-based MC, the Lessondary’s own Che Grand (of Fixtape, EGU & Fixtape Two fame); stay tuned for more classic memories leading up to the party on 2/4.

Boonie Mayfield aka Boon Doc’s Top 3 Solution Moments:

1. Boonie Mayfield Fundraiser/Producer Showcase (aka Boonie’s Solution): I am so grateful for The Solution putting this together for me after I was going through such a tough time with my studio getting robbed. There IS support in the Colorado music scene, no matter what some people may think. The showcase was a BLAST!!! It was just nonstop heat coming out of those speakers from the likes of Xperiment, Kid Hum, Fat Trak, Es Nine, etc. And I was really happy that my boy Stro from The Procussions came through as well… I’ve always looked up to that cat. Tons of my closest friends came to support… it was fun to see everybody having fun. Not to mention, the drinks were nicely priced!!! I got pretty damn tipsy (lol). (The above pic is Boonie Mayfield & Xperiment at Boonie’s Solution)

2. I met a GORGEOUS and intelligent woman one night through a mutual friend who surprised me with her great taste in music. I got her number but didn’t wanna come off like I was hittin’ on her. For a while, The Solution nights were the only times I’d see her…and I always looked forward to it (lol). She didn’t exactly know that though, because I showed a lot of mixed signals and wasn’t too sure if I should express my interest. Who doesn’t hate potential rejection? Anyways… her and I became really close… and in a lot of ways she changed my life. That night, I did not expect to meet someone I’d fall in love with. Oh yeah… and I got pretty damn tipsy that night too!

3. (TIE) J Dilla Tribute w/ Slum Village and The West Coast nights: The SV show is self-explanatory! Once “The Look of Love” came on… I think I almost elbowed my date in the eye-socket from the excitement. On another note, I just enjoy hearing Low Key spin… ’cause he’s always playing tracks that I WISH I’d hear at every club. He’s like a human Pandora. So, if you know me well… you know I LOVE ME SOME G-FUNK!!!! That West Coast night was just DOPE! It made me wanna crease up some khaki’s and c-walk on your grandma’s carpet…. with dog-shit on my shoes… Yes, it was THAT gangsta! Don’t ever play “Doggy, Dogg World” and expect me to sit still. By the way…. did I mention I was pretty damn tipsy that night as well?

Che Grand’s Top 3 Solution Moments:

Every year has been great!  I can’t thank you enough for you having us come out, giving us exposure to the folks of Denver. The hospitality n red bull I appreciate it all man!  The years have kind of become a blur now, but off top here are my top 3 Solution moment (this excludes other moments that have happened during our BDAY weekend celebrations that can’t be put on the list since we’re talking strictly solution nights lol).

1. 1st Annual DJ Low Key, Donwill & Che Grand Birthday Extravaganza at the Solution at the Shelter: The awesome customized birthday cake the first year I came thru, that was bangin!

2. 2nd Annual DJ Low Key, Donwill & Che Grand Birthday Extravaganza at the Solution at the Funky Buddha: Rockin a crowd with my first ever live DJ set at the Solution! (That was the year Von [Pea] and Don’s flight was delayed. I think I may have rocked again that weekend at the sushi spot too!)

3. Red Bull Music Academy On The Floor with Exile & DJ Day at the Solution at the Funky Buddha: Rapping with Exile and DJ Day live on the MPC!

http://www.vimeo.com/7576088

*Honorable mention to my dude Charley and “the stripper darts intermission” lol oh and I can’t forget my fave bartender Jessica *swooon*  Can’t wait for June.

Tags: Boonie Mayfield, Boonie's Solution, Chicken & Waffles, Donwill, Es Nine, Fat Trak, J DIlla, Kid Hum, Procussions, Slum Village, Stro, Tanya Morgan, Xperiment