As this beautiful October weather continues, Portland’s music scene keeps revving itself back to life after the pandemic slowed things down. This week, we’re excited about a new Portland Rappers zine from Ross Jackson, a Hey Love anniversary party, a show benefitting Depave, and the inaugural Trap Kitchen Weekend.
MUST-SEE:
Can’t-miss upcoming events.
Hey Love Fourth Anniversary
Hey Love, the plant-filled bar inside the Jupiter Next hotel, is celebrating its four-year anniversary this week with a party called: “A Love Bizarre.” Rapper Cool Breeze and synth pop musician Seance Crasher provide live sets. DJ Mami Miami and Lapaushi—of the Latinx DJ collective Noche Libre—will spin. Come for the light-up dance floor; stay for the tattoos, and tooth bedazzling! And hey! Hey Love’s Instagram recently got hacked and they had to start a new account from scratch, so head over to @heyloveportland to follow their new and improved Instagram page. (Thurs Oct 13, 8 pm, Hey Love, 920 E Burnside, FREE, 21+)
Depave's Transformation 2022
This event is much more than just a sick lineup. Held in the sustainability-minded Ecotrust building, the fundraiser party benefits urban environmental justice nonprofit Depave. According to its website, Depave “transforms over-paved places, creates resilient community green spaces, promotes workforce development and education, and advocates for policy change to undo manifestations of systemic racism.” And any opportunity to see Portland-based rapper/producer extraordinaire Fountaine or Stas THEE Boss (formerly of Seattle duo THEESatisfaction) is one that should be snatched up promptly, so the fact that they’ll both on the same rooftop show is crazy-awesome. A ticket to the entire event ($30) includes free snacks and tamales. (Fri Oct 14, 7 pm, Ecotrust, 907 NW Irving, $30-35, late night pass $10, tickets here)
MUST LISTEN / READ:
A new release from Portland-relevant artist.
View this post on Instagram
Portland Rappers Volume 1, Ross Jackson
It makes us happy to see creatives giving genre-crossing shout outs. Portland-based visual artist Ross Jackson recently made a new zine called Portland Rappers Volume 1 that literally illustrates the Portland hip-hop scene, offering eight portraits of rappers from the area: Slick Devious, Yuckgod, Karma Rivera, Wynne, Old Grape God, Aaron Fairchild, Chaz Matador, and Something Something Brax. Published by Secret Room Press, the zine is all blue and lime, and its cover features a drawing of the Witch’s Castle in Forest Park; inside there’s a portrait of each rapper accompanied by a short write-up with info on the rhymer’s vibe. Even better: The whole thing has a companion playlist listed inside, and there are presumably more volumes coming! You can buy the zine for $5 plus shipping; just reach out to Jackson via Instagram.
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.
Trap Kitchen Weekend
Back in May, celebrity-acclaimed soul food cart Trap Kitchen opened a restaurant inside the Peter’s Room space of the Roseland Theater’s ground floor—serving up things like pineapple bowls filled with teriyaki steak or seafood, Rich Boy and Rich Girl sandwiches, mac and cheese, fried shrimp, and fried chicken. On November 18, the restaurant and venue will launch the inaugural Trap Kitchen Weekend. Despite the event’s name suggesting there’s two days worth of live music, the event only takes place on Friday, but the lineup for the evening is absolutely packed with local rappers: Jay Worthy, G Perico, Saviii 3rd, Cool Nutz, Maniac Lok, Niro Gotti and more. DJs Fatboy and Jerry Bandito will spin the 1s and 2s. Plus! There'll be a fashion market with booths from local retail brands like Creme & Co, Black Mannequin, Stackin Kickz, and Chocolate Dope. By November, the restaurant's recent robbery will hopefully be a distant memory, but swing by before then if you want to show these tastemaker community stewards some love. (Fri Nov 18, 8 pm, Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th Ave, $27.50-$50, all ages, tickets here)
