The Solution Showcase
Meet DJ Spyda T.E.K., winner of the 2013 Solution Beat Battle and our featured producer for The Solution Showcase #14 on 4/24 at Beauty Bar Denver…
Back in February, DJ Spyda T.E.K. came into the 2013 Solution Beat Battle with an insane collection of beats and left the winner, beating out a group of ridiculously talented producers from Denver and beyond. DJ Low Key recently talked to Spyda T.E.K. and learned more about the Colorado Springs producer/DJ who trekked up to Denver to claim this year’s title and a spot as this month’s featured producer at The Solution Showcase #14.
You won The 2013 Solution Beat Battle earlier this year; but you do a lot more, what all does Spyda T.E.K. get into?
Man, I’m a full time DJ, producer, dad, n seeker of all things relating to music. Just on a mission to let ppl know what I do is not some fly by night thing. This is all Ive been into since I could reach a turntable and a tape player (remember that! Haha)
There are quite a few different lanes you do venture into, you’re definitely not a one-genre dude…What types of music are you into making these days?
Yea I like a lot of different styles. I make some boom bap stuff, edm influenced trap, moombahton, electro…club influenced beats, n a little bit of r&b. I mean, anything I feel inspired by & dig, ill go into it. My heart lies with straight hip hop & EDM. Soundscapes I grew up with.
Sounds like it was a natural transition to DJing and producing…Which one of those came first and when was that?
I became a DJ officially when I was 10yrs old. Before that I was mixing maxi singles on two boomboxes. Hahaha. I didn’t start producing till about 2003. I only started producing because I was without my setup for a while. I originally had an mpc 2000 XL then went to FL Studio because the process for chopping samples n stacking drums was a lot faster.
How does the mixing on two boomboxes work?
Uhhh…Haha. straight ghetto rigging the door of the deck so I can slow down the pitch. I haven’t done that in such a long time. I don’t know how I discovered that at 8yrs old. Crazy.
Do you still use FL (Fruity Loops) Studio?
Yea, FL Studio is all I use still to this day but im trying to feel out other DAWS to see what else I can do.
What do you prefer about FL Studio over other software/hardware options?
Well I haven’t used anything else since I first started other than the mpc 2000
What’s your beatmaking process normally like? What do you start with?
I just like the fast pace of producing in FL. If I have an idea I can just lay down the basics n go from there. I don’t know. Anything can start it. A sample, a drum, a melody…I try different things out n see how it works.
Was this year’s Solution Beat Battle your first time battling, at least as a producer?
This is my 2nd battle since being here in Colorado but that was a different type of battle. They were looking for more waka flocka trap style of beats. Not the lane I typically like going into.
What was your approach to picking beats and preparing for the battle?
Preparing for the Solution battle was fun because I was familiar with what type of beats that fit within the concept. My goal wasn’t to win, just have my material exposed to the right audience. I just wanted my music to be heard n maybe someone would like em. The bad part was battling people I developed relationships with like Black Jordan Cliff Cage & Big J beats. It wasn’t easy doing that because I respect their work n the beats they bring to the whole element.
If winning wasn’t your focus, what did it feel like when you were announced as the winner?
Like I was straight up dreaming haha
Also, do you feel like you exposed your music how you has hoped to? Have you notched any effects of that so far?
Definitely. Lots of these artists n producers I’ve known beforehand really only knew me as djing either Latin clubs or raves…Its not exactly screamin “hip hop” you know. I felt like they actually paid attention n respected what they heard afterwards.
That’s great to hear. What are you working on next?
I’m working on a project with Dj Dozen, another joint with Cliff Cage & HoTT, n a few cuts with L.A. Latin hip hop artist Solares, & a few joints on the EDM tip.
And what previous projects do you have that people can check from you online?
Honestly. projects I’ve worked on are all over the place but I try to keep some of my past projects n current ones up on my soundcloud. Actually one project I can think of…I did a mixtape “DarkSide West” with this dude named Bad Guy Fly out in L.A. I produced the majority of it. It’s out there on the internet. I also did a joint with Planet Asia 2 years ago. Never released, but he played it for me over the phone one night. Lol. I’m still waiting to hear the final cut.
Catch Spyda T.E.K. rocking with legendary DJ RHETTMATIC of the World Famous Beat Junkies, Denver supergroup Fly4Wird, Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme and Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game’s DJ Dozen for The Solution Showcase #14 on Wednesday 4/24 at Beauty Bar Denver (608 E. 13th St). Check out more info on the showcase here.
Meet Fly4Wird aka Babah Fly, DJ Fast4Ward & Mike Wird, our featured Denver group for The Solution Showcase #14 on 4/24 at Beauty Bar Denver…
While you might not be familiar with the group Fly4Wird (set to perform at The Solution Showcase #14), if you’ve been in the front range over the last few years (or decade really), you should already have heard of Babah Fly, Fast4Ward & Mike Wird aka the three members of the group. MC/producer Babah Fly linked with MC/B-boy Mike Wird a few years back for their BabahWird project and more recently brought genius DJ/producer/one man band DJ Fast4Ward into the fold. Since then, the three of them have been make left of center tracks that have gotten lots of attention here in Denver and beyond. Take a quick look at their latest videos and learn more about all three members of Fly4Wird below.
Mike Wird (from his bio)
Mike Wird is the artist’s artist. A Hiphop Renaissance Man, he is well versed in all creative expressions/elements of the globally recognized Universal Hiphop Kulture, as a producer/emcee, in 2001 the independent underground release of Universal Devices was of his first contributions to a Hiphop musical work of art w/ Denver based crew, Bugaboo a staple conglomerate rockin shows in the local scenes and buzzing overseas in Europe(Amsterdam) through out the 90’s and early 2000’s.
Since, Mr.Wird has partnered with several talented, culturally minded artist with works credited to BabahFlyJedi’s 2009 release Electro Sufi, a contributing member of Denver based internationally recognized Moetavation Crew and a Mixtape/cd hosted by DJSD called Wird is Bond, with planned 2010 releases including the compilation series Mike Wird presents Afronaut Funk (vol.1), and his first full length solo work to be released soon! It’s only the beginning……..
Fast4Ward (from his profile as featured producer for The Solution Showcase #9 last year)
Denver meet Fast Forward. The elusive producer/DJ has been making a name for himself in some of the most notable Denver circles for years, but still somehow remains one of Denver’s best kept secrets. Ask 2011 World DMC Champion DJ Vajra about Fast Forward and he’ll rave about his skills, as the two have collabed on numerous projects over the years. Take a look at the clip below to see some of what these two musical geniuses do when they get together.
Fast Forward is way more than a DJ Vajra bandmate though, in fact, he’s a one man band onto himself, playing drums, keys, singing, scratching and more in his live performances. You can also catch Fast Forward and DJ Check One’s collaborative project, Fun Addicts, here. A man of few words, catch more live video from Fast Forward on his youtube channel and you’ll be sold on dude’s diverse talents, just like me, Vajra and countless other heads in Denver.
Babah Fly (from his bio)
As a child Babah Fly’s soul was searching for “the music.” His great-grandfather sang opera in Sicily, his grandfather performed in jazz clubs in New York, and his mother played piano for the church. Music was in his blood.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Babah Fly grew up listening to music, searching through his mom and dad’s old school soul, funk, folk and jazz records. At eight years-old a particular song on the radio mesmerized him. A sort of trance took over the young Babah Fly as he uttered the words, “that’s the music!” That song was “Planet Rock” by Africa Bambatta. It was the gateway into hip-hop for Babah Fly as he became a skilled B-boy(break-dancer), DJ and MC. Growing up in Little Rock, Babah was surrounded by gangs, poverty, and violence. The golden age of Hip-hop kept Babah Fly moving in a positive direction.
Besides the musical influences of artist like Rakim, Krs-One, Run DMC and the Native Tongues, Babah was heavily influenced by the teachings of the Zulu Nation, Islam, and eastern martial arts. Babah moved from Little Rock to stay with his brother in Boulder, Colorado to go to school and work on music.
Babah Fly brought his beat machine to Boulder and continued to make beats and rhymes in his brother’s apartment. One night his brother got beaten up so severely that he was in a coma for a month. Babah had full confidence in his brother’s recovery, his faith was strong and his music was the source of strength. This was a sign to Babah that his music needed to spread. Babah met and performed with RaahFounashunn, Quibian Salazaar-Moreno, Jher, RTDK and Future Reference, staples in Denver‘s Hip Hop community. Babah began performing his music at places like The Mercury Cafe and Revoluciones, where hip-hop culture was thriving in Denver.
In 1998 Babah Fly moved to Denver, Colorado and began college at Metro-State and UCD. He played jazz music under the direction of trumpeter Ron Miles at Metro and studied Music Engineering and Production at UCD. Babah Fly met another hip-hop producer named Kwasi Connors, son of jazz legend Norman Connors, and formed a group/movement called Bugaboo. The two released the album “Parallel to the Universe” that recognition in the Amsterdam hip-hop scene, winning a contest title as “The Best Album to Smoke Weed to.”
Kwasi moved to Los Angeles and Babah got a job as a DJ at a local graffiti supply store called Art-n-Sol, where he held weekly MC ciphers. He met Mike Wird, Malik, Daymeon and produced another album called “Universal Devices.” The Bugaboo crew had expanded to four MCs and DJ SD. Their high energy performances served as an opening act for established hip-hop acts like Black Sheep, Saul Williams, AceyAlone, Abstract Rude and Sage Francis.After the Bugaboo crew went their separate ways, Babah Fly hooked up with Url Gray-V and DJ Selector Sam, and they formed a group called “Tha Fly.” They released a mix tape and smashed shows around the Midwest region, opening up for Krs One, Slick Rick, Souls of Mischief, Kool Keith, Zion I, and Crown City Rockers.
Recently, Babah Fly has re-connected with his brother from another mother Mike Wird. These MCs have performed under the name BabahWird for the past three years, toured the West Coast together, and rocked massive crowds at The Dragon Boat Festival. They are also a part of “The Denver Avengerz,” a band with drummer Brad Lee Stevens, Bassist Lavell Flamon and multi-talented DJ Fast4ward.
With all of these projects underway, he still found time to form “The High-Tops” with Panama Soweto. They are a retro-fresh mix of true school Hip Hop and spoken word.
Along with working on a BabahWird album, a Denver Avengerz album, and The High Tops, Babah Fly has now finished his solo album called “Electro SUFI.” The name Electro-Sufi represents Babah Fly’s take on hip-hop being a timeless culture that has existed since the ancient times of Kemet. Sufism descended from the ancient kemetic sciences. The culture of the Sufi’s is relative to the culture of Africa Bambatta’s Zulu Nation “Planet Rock” hip-hop. From the desire to levitate in the dance; b-boy spins to whirling dervishes, to the desire to enlighten through song and poetry; Rumi to Rakim, Hafiz to Q-tip, the album Electro-Sufi is now available on iTunes.
Catch Fly4Wird rocking with legendary DJ RHETTMATIC of the World Famous Beat Junkies, 2013 Solution Beat Battle winner Spyda T.E.K., Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme and Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game’s DJ Dozen for The Solution Showcase #14 on Wednesday 4/24 at Beauty Bar Denver (608 E. 13th St). Check out more info on the showcase here.
Wednesday, 4/24 -> The Solution Showcase #14 w/DJ Rhettmatic (Beat Junkies), Fly4Wird, Spyda T.E.K., DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & DJ Dozen at Beauty Bar Denver…The Solution Showcase has a new monthly home, but you can still catch The Solution every Friday night at the Meadowlark!
WEDNESDAY, 4/24 -> With The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez back to weekly status every Friday night and winning awards for it, we realized that Fridays should stay focused on the straight up party vibe at the Meadowlark and decided to move The Solution Showcase and it’s concert/party/beat showcase/etc mixed vibe over to Beauty Bar Denver (608 E. 13th St) so we could have more flexibility and a bigger stage to play with.
UPDATE: Blu, TiRon & Ayomari are canceling /postponing their tour and we’re disappointed to say that because of that they will not be performing at The Solution Showcase #14. With that said, we’re excited to announce THE LEGENDARY DJ RHETTMATIC of the WORLD FAMOUS BEAT JUNKIES will be taking their place as our out of town special guest instead. Rhettmatic is a legend in the LA scene, having been a fixture of their nightlife circuit, working with artists like Cypress Hill, The Visionaries & Buff1 while winning quite a few DJ battle titles as well. Expect him to smash the turntables like only a legend can.
This month’s featured Denver act is recently formed CO supergroup Fly4Wird (aka Babah Fly, DJ Fast 4Ward & Mike Wird) and our featured producer is 2013 Solution Beat Battle winner Spyda T.E.K., who blew a lot of Denver heads away en route to winning the 2013 title. Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme as well as Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game’s DJ Dozen will be holding down the turntables as well and our friends at Red Bull are hooking up the first 50 people through the door with complimentary new Red Bull Editions. $8 pre-sales at the weekly Solution via DJ Low Key or Lazy Eyez or at any Family Affair / $10 at the door / 21+.
.:Order pre-sale tickets to The Solution Showcase #14 online for $8:.
Meet Von Pea, our featured out of town act for The Solution Showcase #13 on Friday, 2/22…
This month’s featured out of town artist is an all-time Solution favorite and good friend of the party, Brooklynati’s own Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan), and he’s making his long overdue solo Denver debut, complete with fresh new material and classics in tow. Von’s been out to The Solution as much as anyone over the years, but always performing with Donwill (and sometimes Ilyas) as Tanya Morgan. This time he’s gonna be out here performing tracks from Pea’s Gotta Have It, premiering new joints from his upcoming Duly Noted EP with Aeon (set to drop next month, but if you e-mail DulyNoted@DenverSolution.com we’ll send you the exclusive Solution preview) & lots more. Here’s a little more about Brooklynati’s own Von Pea, in the words of TM’s publicist:
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan) has been emceeing since 1991 and producing since 2000. Initially attracted to hip-hop by the likes of Another Bad Creation and many other young rappers that were near his own age, Von would eventually shift his interest to those who would become his strongest influences – A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and Biggie. In 2002 Von Pea began an alliance with the original members of North Carolina rap group Little Brother (Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, and 9th Wonder) which lead him to being featured on such projects as Phonte and Nicolay’s Foreign Exchange Connected album (“Von Sees”), and Little Brother’s The Minstrel Show (“Cheatin” interlude). In addition to his group’s music, Von has released acclaimed projects such as 2003’s“Custom Fitted, 2007’s Grand Vonye, and his late 2007 remix project American Angster which has been considered one of the best of the Jay Z remix albums. Von Pea is also a member of the rap group Tanya Morgan. Von Pea’s latest solo album, Pea’s Gotta Have it, will be released October 19th.
Above: Von Pea “The Yorker” from Pea’s Gotta Have It /// Below: Von Pea featuring Che Grand & Elucid “Thanks For Your Children” from Pea’s Gotta Have It
Above: The Foreign Exchange featuring Von Pea “Von Sees” from Connected /// Below: Little Brother featuring Von Pea “A Word From Our Sponsors” from And Justus For All
Most importantly, take a minute to listen to the music, it speaks for itself. I’m heading to pick Von up at the airport now, but stay tuned for a great interview with the Brooklynati MC/producer, courtesy of the 4th Door, coming tomorrow. Last but not least, don’t miss Von Pea of Tanya Morgan’s solo Denver debut at The Solution Showcase #13, along with performances by Denver favorites Diamond Boiz (aka Dyalekt, Zome & Zé), Fresh Breath Committee’s Paul Junior and The Solution’s own DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez. 21+/Free until 11/$5 after/2701 Larimer St.
Friday, 2/22 -> The Solution Showcase #13 w/Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan), Diamond Boiz, Paul Junior, DJ Low Key & DJ Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark…
FRIDAY, 2/22 -> It’s that time again, The Solution Showcase is back for another month with more of the best in national and Colorado-bred talent. Things have been great with the monthly showcase, but we’re about to make them even better. Instead of $8 at the door and $5 pre-sales, once a month we’ll be incorporating the monthly Solution Showcase into the new weekly Solution at the Meadowlark and keeping the price the same whenever possible. That means NO COVER until 11pm and only $5 afterwards most of the time, even with stacked lineups of national and CO talent. We figured the consistency would be good and if you tell a few friends about the lower price and showcases, then everybody wins.
With that said, let’s talk lineup. For this month’s Solution Showcase #13, we’ve got an all-time Solution favorite and good friend of the party, Brooklynati’s own Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan), making his solo Denver debut, complete with fresh new material and classics in tow. Von’s been out to The Solution as much as anyone over the years, but always performing with Donwill (and sometimes Ilyas) as Tanya Morgan. This time he’s gonna be out here performing tracks from Pea’s Gotta Have It, premiering new joints from his upcoming Duly Noted EP with Aeon (set to drop next month, but if you e-mail DulyNoted@DenverSolution.com we’ll send you the exclusive Solution preview) and more. He’ll be joined by Denver favorites Diamond Boiz (aka Dyalekt, Zome & Zé), Fresh Breath Committee’s Paul Junior and The Solution’s own DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez on the turntables in another top notch bill. 21+/Free until 11/$5 after/2701 Larimer St.
Meet Team LatchKey (Dealz Makes Beats, Black Jordan, DJ Hobo, Morning After, B-Smith, Big Kiem & Jack Gar), our featured Denver act for The Solution Showcase #12 on 1/26 at the Meadowlark…
In case you missed it, Team LatchKey’s two young resident producers DealzMakesBeats and Black Jordan have already been featured producers at previous Solution Showcases (#4 & #8) and the crew has been lurking around the Meadowlark both times, so we decided to make it official and bring the seven man crew in for a proper performance for The Solution Showcase #12. Rather than ramble on more about one of Denver’s best new crews, I’ll let them tell it:
The Denver Based Hip Hop Voltron, Team LatchKey has been about raw and soulful vibes, honest lyrics and party rocking since their formation in late 2010. Teamo Supremeo and The LatchKey Kids, combined to make the TLK (Team LatchKey) of today. ‘The Lint Kickers EP’ was released in Feb. 2011 and was accepted as a breath of fresh air to the city. Producers Black Jordan and Dealz Makes Beats, create the backdrop while emcees; B-Smith, Big Kiem and Jack Gar, vocalize the scenes. Plus with DJ Hobo as the groups resident turntablist, the crew hits all of the hip hop shots.
The Team has rocked stages at Hodies Half Note, Rockstar Lounge, Rex Lounge, Hermans Hideaway, Meadowlark, Larimer Lounge, Funky Buddha, Cervantes, Beauty Bar, and a DJ residency at downtown Denver’s ‘1515′ restaurant-Not including the DJ sets, basement parties and pop up street cyphers. Their June release titled ‘The EarWax EP’ is great music to smoke to, drive to, do whatever to. Black Jordan recently released BASEMENT INSTINCT, a 20+ track beat tape that is jaw-dropping with diversity. Dealz Makes Beats is wrapping up “Sunny Colorado,” over 8 different beat tapes with pure hip hop. Team LatchKey in essence is attacking the whack and bringing that champion sound back. POW!
Download music from the crew here:
.:Black Jordan – Basement Instinct (mixed by DJ Dozen):.
.:DealzMakesBeats on soundcloud:.
Check out Team Latchkey at The Solution Showcase #12, along with LA’s Yonas Michael (aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I) making his solo Denver debut, BLK HRTS/Pirate Signal producer/mastermind Yorrissey, Solution co-founder DJ Low Key & Solution Boulder alum B-Money for what promises to be another dose of the best in hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). 9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.
Meet Yorrissey of BLKHRTS/Pirate Signal, our featured CO producer for The Solution Showcase #12 on 1/26 at the Meadowlark…
DNVR say hello to Yorrissey of BLKHRTS & The Pirate Signal, our featured PRDCR for The Solution Showcase #12. You might know him better by his previous nom de beats, Yonnas Abraham, as 1/3 of newly signed Denver hip hop headbangers/Solution Showcase #6 guests BLKHRTS or as the mastermind behind constantly award-winning Denver group, The Pirate Signal, but regardless, if you know him, you know he always keeps it interesting. Drawing on a variety of influences from all across the board and creating his own unique sound, Yorrissey’s work is usually abrasive in the best way possible. Jeff Weiss, writer for the LA Times/Pitchfork/Passion of the Wiess says, “The words and beats hit like shrapnel, with samples from “Eraserhead,” Matthew Dear and Joy Division’s first incarnation, Warsaw.”, amongst other praise. In a rare opportunity to showcase as a producer, expect to hear crazy beats of all sorts from the BLKHRTS maestro.
Check out this recent Westword interview where Yorrissey talks about signing to ORG Music and working with TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek on the upcoming BLKHRTS album, JZBL JNKNS, which is almost complete!
.:Yorrissey talks ORG Music, working with TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek & what’s next:.
Now that you’re up on Yorrissey and what he’s been up to, catch him rocking at The Solution Showcase #12 on 1/26 along with LA’s Yonas Michael (aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I), Denver up and comers Team Latchkey, Solution co-founder DJ Low Key & Solution Boulder alum B-Money for what promises to be another dose of the best in hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). 9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.
Meet B-Money, special guest DJ for The Solution Showcase #12 on 1/26 at the Meadowlark…
B-Money is about as hip hop and Colorado as it gets. From coming up as part of the Basementalism crew in the mid 2000s to hosting so many members of the hip hop scene that his old spot in Boulder was practically a #COhiphop landmark to appearing in the US DMC finals representing the state, he’s been collecting props on the local and national scenes at a steady pace. B-Money initially established himself spinning b-boy jams and college radio, but over the last few years, he’s also turned into a force to be reckoned with on both the nightclub and turntablist scenes, and was a fixture at The Solution Boulder before legendary Boulder nightclub ‘Round Midnight closed. Here’s more on B-Money via his bio in case you’ve been sleeping on a Colorado hip hop fixture:
“B*Money got inspired to climb the risers after watching old DMC battle videos and listening to DJs on the radio. Now he is fighting those battles himself, DJing on the radio, and appearing in the same series of videos he grew up watching. Radio and battling exposed him to wide range of audiences and helped land him gigs playing at festivals, clubs, and venues throughout the United States while sharing stages with some of hip-hop’s most elite acts including The Roots, The Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief, Ali Shaheed Muhammed (A Tribe Called Quest), Too Short, Rhazel, and The X-Ecutioners, just to name a few. With a heavy emphasis on constantly honing his turntablist skills he has been recognized as a DMC USA National Finalist and has backed and or toured with One.Be.Lo, Bionik Brown, 1865, Wheelchair Sports Camp, and The Reminders as a show DJ. But to B*Money, the foundation of DJing is being able to rock any party, and thus he prides himself on being able to play for a variety of crowds. Blending musical genres from jazz, funk, soul, rock, and pop, to dubstep, house, and hip-hop, he has been known to rock whatever audience is in front of him, appearing in venues from New York to San Francisco. He has rocked parties and events for the NCAA, The Onion, Red Bull, Sephora, Akomplice Clothing, and Illiterate Magazine. B*Money’s skills and versatility make him appealing to any crowd, at any size venue, at any time.”
Don’t miss B-Money making his Solution Denver debut at The Solution Showcase #12 on Saturday, 1/26, along with LA’s Yonas Michael (aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I), Denver up and comers Team Latchkey, BLK HRTS/Pirate Signal producer/mastermind Yorrissey & Solution co-founder DJ Low Key for what promises to be a great night of hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). 9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.
P.S. Rumor has it B-Money will be debuting an all new video set in his Solution Showcase debut. All the more reason not to miss it!
Meet Yonas Michael aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I, our featured out of town act for The Solution Showcase #12 on 1/26 at the Meadowlark…
.:Download Ro Blvd & Yonas Michael “Cyst”:.
Denver, meet LA’s Yonas Michael aka Y-O (formerly of U-N-I), our out of town featured act for The Solution Showcase #12 on Saturday, 1/26. Maybe you know him from his recent project with mixtape titan Mick Boogie, The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory, maybe you know him as the guy with the mohawk who used to be in the exceptional rap duo U-N-I (who also happened to host our The Solution Tape #1 mixtape), maybe you heard him on “Cyst”, (his insane collab with producer Ro Blvd from last year, we play it at a lot of our parties) or maybe you’re not familiar with him at all. Either way, we’re excited to have the super talented, eclectic rapper/singer/etc back out to CO for his first solo show.
.:Download Yonas Michael & Mick Boogie – The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory:.
Years ago, we first heard Y-O’s music while he was in his former group, U-N-I, right around the time that him, his former partner Thurzday, and Ro Blvd (also former Solution Showcase guests) first linked up. While U-N-I had received a lot of attention from earlier projects, their album with Ro Blvd, A Love Supreme, proved to be one of 2009’s best releases and garnered some of the attention that an incredible, modern day cult classic deserves. After that, U-N-I & Ro Blvd released a retail version of A Love Supreme (2.0) with more live elements and new songs like the “Land Of The Kings” remix with Houston legend Bun B to even more props. Following the success of A Love Supreme, U-N-I surprised us and parted ways with Y-O changing his rap moniker to Yonas Michael and he keeping the momentum going with his diverse Lost In Hollywood project, an ambitious collections of tracks with influences from a kitchen’s sink of genres, all while maintaining his hip hop roots. More recently, Yonas Michael & Mick Boogie’s fresh The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory and collabs with Ro Blvd, Casey Veggies, Polyester and H.O.P.E. have kept the vibe of exploration going with a hip hop mentality as Yonas remains one of the more forward-thinking voices in the progressive LA scene and nationwide.
.:Download Yonas Michael – Lost In Hollywood:.
Above: “A Short Film Called Lost In Hollywood” by Yonas Michael. /// Below: “Open The Door” by Yonas Michael
Above: U-N-I (Y-O & Thurz) & Ro Blvd “Land of the Kings”/// Below: U-N-I (Y-O & Thurz) & Ro Blvd “Hollywood Hiatus”
Catch Yonas Michael making his solo Denver debut, along with Denver up and comers Team Latchkey, BLK HRTS/Pirate Signal producer/mastermind Yorrissey, Solution co-founder DJ Low Key & Solution Boulder alum B-Money for what promises to be another dose of the best in hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). 9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.
Saturday, 1/26 -> The Solution Showcase #12 w/Yonas Michael (aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I), Team Latchkey, Yorrissey, DJ Low Key & B-Money at the Meadowlark…
SATURDAY, 1/26 -> For our twelfth edition, The Solution Showcase kicks off 2013 by importing one of our good friends from Los Angeles, Yonas Michael aka Y-O (formerly of U-N-I), as our out of town featured act. Y-O’s gonna be joined by super hype Denver up and comers Team Latchkey, BLK HRTS/Pirate Signal producer/mastermind Yorrissey, Solution co-founder DJ Low Key & Solution Boulder alum B-Money for what promises to be another dose of the best in hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).
Even if you’re not familiar with the name Yonas Michael or The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory, his recent project with mixtape monster Mick Boogie, you should know Y-O his work in critically acclaimed (and former XXL Freshmen feature) group, U-N-I, including being one of the hosts of our mixtape, The Solution Tape #1, a few years back. Featured Denver act Team Latchkey has two producers who’s names should ring a bell, as both DealzMakesBeats & J Gunna aka Black Jordan were featured at the party last year. They’ll be joined by the rest of the crew (Morning After, Big Keim, B Smith & DJ Hobo) in the six man group’s official Solution Showcase debut. Yorrissey, producer for recently signed Denver heavyweights BLK HRTS and award-winning Pirate Signal, will be rocking beats as our featured producer for this month. DJ Low Key and Denver favorite B-Money will be holding down things on the turntables and making sure things are just as much a party as a rap show and that should round out another top notch lineup for your listening, dancing and drink pleasure. 9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.
Signup for The Solution Newsletter for upcoming events, music links, video & more!
Add us on Facebook…
The best club night in Denver (c) Westword 2010 & the people…
Friday, 5/10: The Solution x Good Good Fridays w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guests Dayta (Houston/Kracker Nuttz/Nana Chill) & DJ Clockwork (Cincinnati/Most Dope/Mac Miller’s DJ) at the Meadowlark…One of Houston’s best parties & the Most Dope crew bring their flavor to Denver!!!
Friday, 5/17: The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark.
Wednesday, 5/22: The Solution Showcase #15 at Beauty Bar Denver, lineup coming soon!
Friday, 5/24: The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark.
Friday, 5/31: The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at the Meadowlark.
Wednesday, 6/26: The Solution Showcase #16 at Beauty Bar Denver, lineup coming soon!
To book a birthday party, special event or other celebration at the Solution, please contact questions{at}djlowkey{dot}com.
Also, don't forget to check out djlowkey.com, djsoundssupreme.com and djlazyeyez.com to see what Low, Sounds and Lazy are up to...
Every Friday Night: The Solution w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & friends at the Meadowlark…
The best in hip hop & a whole lot more.
Complimentary photo booth.
Food by Year Of The Snake.
Beautiful patio.
No cover until 11 / Only $5 after.
Facebook.Twitter.Tumblr.
9pm / 21+ / 2701 Larimer St.
The Solution named “Best Club Night Return” in Westword 2013 Best Of Denver…
At this point, the Solution is well on its way to becoming a Denver institution. But it isn't just our town's longest-running and most revered hip-hop night — it's also a testament to quality and resilience. Despite having moved virtually all over town since it was founded half a dozen years ago by DJs Low Key and Sounds Supreme, the Solution continues to draw a faithful crowd wherever — and however — it goes. Even after the Solution took a hiatus from weekly parties, the Solution crew continued to offer showcases featuring a parade of the best local MCs and producers, along with lauded acts from elsewhere. And last month, when the Solution returned to a weekly format at its new home at the Meadowlark, all was right in the cosmos again. - Westword
DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1 (hosted by U-N-I & Ro Blvd)
Featuring exclusives and world premiers from Von Pea, Ilyas and Donwill of Tanya Morgan, Exile, DJ Day, Che Grand, Kooley High, Median, Donnis, Ro Blvd, Mike Baker, 1 O.A.K., Whygee, Kid Hum, 8thW1, Adad, Buff1, Waajeed, Moe Green & more. Get your copy at the Solution or download it for free by clicking the cover above.
Recent Posts
- Friday, 5/10 -> The Solution x Good Good Fridays w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guests Dayta (Houston/Kracker Nuttz/Nana Chill) & DJ Clockwork (Cincinnati/Most Dope/Mac Miller’s DJ) at the Meadowlark…One of Houston’s best parties brings its flavor to Denver!!!
- Jessica, the official Solution bartender, is rejoining the party on a weekly basis!!!
- Friday, 5/3 -> The Art Of Records Public Microphone Tee Drop + Denver Hip Hop Congress Fundraiser + MCA/Beastie Boys Tribute + Food by the Cluck Truck at the Meadowlark…TiredPirate x The Solution x Family Affair on the limited tees…
- Friday, 4/26 -> The Solution w/DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & special guest DJ Chris Karns (Master Of The Mix/DMC World Champion) at the Meadowlark…
- Every Friday Night -> The Solution w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & friends at the Meadowlark…”Our town’s longest running & most revered hip hop night…A testament to quality” – Westword…
Categories
DJLowKey.com
- DJ Low Key – So What! First Monday Mix – May 2013…Catch So What! w/me, DJ K-Nee & Big Style on the third Saturday of every month at Beauty Bar Denver!!! May 18, 2013
- Sunday, 5/26 -> Native Tongues Goodness w/DJ Low Key and special guests Mick Boogie (Brooklyn) & Es Nine (of Prime Element) on the Meadowlark’s patio + the launch of the Goodness Film Club at 10PM! Come celebrate everything Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers & crew related all day and night!!! May 18, 2013
- Sunday, 5/19 -> Goodness w/DJ Low Key and special guests DJ Bedz (Denver Nuggets DJ), Spyda T.E.K. (CO Springs) & Truth Live (The Bay Area) on the Meadowlark’s patio… May 15, 2013
- Sunday, 5/12 -> Mother’s Day Goodness w/DJ Low Key and special guests Dayta & Sounds Supreme on the Meadowlark’s patio! No Que No Tacos, aguas frescas & more, bring your mom out!!! May 10, 2013
- Saturday, 5/18 -> So What! w/DJ K-Nee, Big Styles & DJ Low Key at Beauty Bar Denver! Plus, Door Diva Miss Deirdre & lots more!!! May 10, 2013
DJLazyEyez.com
- Adventures 14 March 28, 2013
- SOUNDSET 2013 March 28, 2013
- 4/20 with Methodman & Redman March 6, 2013
- The Solution Art of Records II Photo Recap March 6, 2013
- The Solution x 90′s House Party 3/8/13 March 3, 2013
Blogroll
- 2DopeBoyz
- 38th Square
- Akomplice
- Basementalism
- Bionik Brown (RIP)
- Che Grand
- Denver Diggers
- Denver Frank
- DJ Amen
- DJ Chonz
- DJ Dozen
- DJ Lazy Eyez
- DJ Low Key (facebook)
- DJ Petey
- DJ Sounds Supreme (edits & remixes)
- DJ Sounds Supreme (facebook)
- DJ Squirt
- DJ Vajra
- Donwill
- Dunn the Signtologist
- Emage
- Family Affair
- Food Chain
- Fool's Gold Records
- Frank151
- illroots
- LARD
- Popular Lemonade
- Radio Bums
- Rappers I Know
- Red Bull Music Academy
- Ro Blvd
- Speakeasy
- Speakeasy Blog
- Stones Throw
- Strictly Fitteds
- Tanya Morgan
- The 400 (RIP)
- The Gro Project
- TiRon
- U-N-I
- Von Pea
- Whygee