Whatâs wavy in the Portland hip-hop scene right now? Short answer: a lot. Letâs talk about it!
Myke Bogan, Cult Beauty
I got some great news this weekend that our beloved Portland import, Myke Bogan, is dropping a new 14-track album on October 18. Cult Beauty is the title of the rapperâs third full-length, and to whet our whistles, the rapperâs released one eye-popping visual for two very different songs in âJollyâ and âNo Peace.â Bogan also announced a tour, but strangely, I donât see a tour date for Portland....
Wynne, âThe Thesisâ and âHandle iTâ
Lake Oâs standout rapper Wynne has been dropping drip for the last month or so. Between her two new singles âThe Thesisâ (featuring Dame D.O.L.L.A., Vursatyl, KayelaJ, and Illmac) and âHandle iT,â the young MC has been tallying hundreds of thousands of plays and views. So when her debut mixtape If I May.. drops on October 25, expect the city to explode with pride.
The Palmer Squares, Stevie Ray, Ryan Van Haygan, Sqvtch, Simone French
Chicago-based hip-hop group the Palmer Squares is swinging by Kelly's Olympian on October 10, as part of the West Coast leg of their "All My Demons Tour." Now I'm not usually on the lookout for hipster rap duos from Chicagoâjust not really my thing, no judgies!âbut the addition of proven locals Sqvtch and Simone French definitely got my attention. If you're looking to feel something, this might be the concert for you. (Thurs Oct 10, 9 pm, Kellyâs Olympian, 426 SW Washington, $12-15)
Umbrellaslang
At Marmoset Music on October 11, live performances and conversation coalesce for their featured event, Umbrellaslang. Hosts Daren Todd and Meron Medhanie will hold space for up-and-coming Portland stars Veana Baby, Donte Thomas, and Blon, while a panel of guests facilitates conversation with the crowd. Itâs worth noting that Donte Thomas released the monster project Colors earlier this year, and Veanaâafter going buckwild at a recent sold-out Thesisâannounced that her album drops this November. So both should have some things to prove. Poet/muse/model Janae Ball andâfull disclosureâmyself are among the panelists at this monthâs event. (Fri Oct 11, 6 pm, Marmoset Music, 2105 SE 7th, $5)
Free Tillman, Bird Bennett, Micah the Rapper, Surebert
Zero Wave is quietly doing their own thing on Saturday, October 12, bringing Santa Ana producer Free Tillman back to Portland to rock with Bird Bennett, Micah the Rapper, and Surebert for a free, all-ages event. And the 6 pm start time means you can still turn up like an adult once itâs over! If you miss this show (or just canât get enough of the guy), youâll have another chance to see him play on Sunday, October 13 at Future Shock where heâll be playing a brunch-time beat party with Luv Jonez, Shaheed, and a few other producers about town. (Sat Oct 12, 6 pm, Zero Wave, 720 N Killingsworth, all ages, FREE)
Trap Kitchen Brunch with E-40
Saturday, October 19 should be a fun day with the daytime event Brunch with E-40 x Trap Kitchen going down at an undisclosed location. Thatâs right, for a mere $100, you can enjoy lunch and chop game with a West Coast rap legend (and get a photo or signed item from the star). Later that evening of course is the JAMâN 107.5 Boo Bomb, the annual October concert where legends of yore descend on Portland so that those of us old enough to remember the â90s may reminisce. (Sat Oct 19, brunch at 1 pm, location TBA, $100)
