February might very well be getting colder, but the music scene is heating up. We also might be going to war as a countryโฆ Good afternoon!
Just locally speaking, thereโs actually a lot to get excited about: Maarquii finally headlines The Thesis in March, we have two new noteworthy rap releases, and reggae fans can rejoice over the fact that Koffee is on tour and ON HER WAY. Read on for the full scoop!
MUST-SEE:
One canโt miss upcoming show.
The Thesis: Maarquii
Next Thursday, The Thesis monthly showcase welcomes back high femme rapperโand singer and trained dancerโMaarquii for a headliner show thatโs sure to wow the crowd. Although the artist played a farewell show (PHREAKBISH at Polaris Hall) in late October, it looks like Maarquii is sticking around for a while longer before inevitably (and sadly, for us) moving to Los Angeles.
Audiences can expect to take in Maarquiiโs cheekily delivered sex-positive lyrics, flawless vogueing skills, and her charming on-stage personality.
Hereโs hoping sheโll perform highlights from her 2018 project C.A.B.O, like the catchy โRoll Upโ and โFull Outfit,โ as well as newer releases like 2021โs โU KNOW WHO IT IS.โ
For those looking for a little Maarquii tease the week ahead of the show: This Friday marks the reception for her art exhibition, PussyKat Loading… at PSUโs Littman + White Galleries, which promises to be a fun night of food, drinks, curated music, and art viewings, as well as an opportunity to score some merch from the artist.
The Thesis: Thurs March 3, 9 pm, Kellyโs Olympian, 426 SW Washington, $15 adv, $20 door, w/ Roulette Delgato, Nia Joe, Refugio, DJ Verbz, tickets; PussyKat Loadingโฆ Reception: Fri Feb 25, 5 pm, Littman + White Galleries, 1825 Southwest Broadway, SMSU 250, FREE
MUST-LISTEN:
Two great new releases from locally relevant artists.
โReloaded 2.0,โ Mic Capes, featuring DAME D.O.L.L.A
Yesterday, Mic Capes dropped a new track featuring none other than Dame D.O.L.L.A., AKA Damian Lillard. The Blazersโ point guard has been out with an abdominal injury for several weeks, so it makes sense he had time to hop on a track with his favorite Portland rapper, Mic Capes. Produced by Dontฤ and MoorDope, the high energy song is a remix of Capesโ โReloaded (Freestyle),โ a standout track from his 2021 album In Spite Ofโฆ. Dame definitely brings something new to the song (and some AutoTune on his voice). In typical Dame fashion, he talks his shit succinctly: โI do unthinkable shit on the daily / crazy how so many people could hate me / I just be winning, I get to the chicken / Roll out the red carpet for all of my babies.โ
โGeorgia O’keeffe,โ Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon, Archibald Slim
On February 18, Unexplained Aerial PhenomenonโAKA the space-themed collaboration that merges LA producer duo Pioneer 11 and Portland-based rapper Bryson the Alien (who, full disclosure is my fiancรฉ and the father of my pending unborn child)โdropped a new track featuring rapper and sometimes producer Archibald Slim of POW Recordings. Over mesmerizing galactic sonics by Pioneer 11, the track sees Bryson the Alien rapping in his oft-utilized chill delivery: โMy wolves drooling from the beef / Street smart, make a killing on the beat / Back in Maui for the week / Hit Makena Beach, sand in my sneaks.โ Archibald Slim then comes in with his own clever wordplay: โIโm lightning striking twice / Living life like itโs a dice game / Paying the piperโs price for a proper slice / Ainโt no stopping time / Thatโs probably why Iโm not polite / Trying to get rich and die trying, long as itโs not tonight.โ The collab track got a shout out when it appeared on Stereogum yesterday.
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.
Koffee
Jamaican reggae singer Koffee is bringing The Gifted Tour to Portlandโs Roseland Theater on April 12, along with Nigerian singer/songwriter Ayra Starr. The 22-year-old reggae sensation is gearing up to drop her debut full-length Gifted on March 25.
The one and only other time Koffee has played in Portland was when she opened for Daniel Caesar with an acoustic set at the Roseland in 2019. Weโll hold tight until April and look forward to seeing her perform the forthcoming album, and recent singles like the upbeat bopper โPull Up,โ as well as the titular song for the 2021 Western film The Harder They Fall, which starred Idris Elba, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield.
