Faithful Sneaker Wave readers, my babies. As the new Mercury music editor, Iâm even busier than usualâbusy kicking ASS, while simultaneously trying not to drown in an infinite sea of emails. Luckily, Iâm not the only person who can cover Portlandâs hotbed of hip-hop music and culture. BEHOLD: a column guest-written by writer and The Thesis co-founder Mac Smiff. ÂâJenni Moore
Whatâs up, Mercury readers? My nameâs Mac and Iâll be taking over Sneaker Wave for a bit. Letâs jump right in, shall we?
SQVTCH, Whatever Makes You Happy
Last month, the deep-voiced homie SQVTCH independently released his first full-length album, Whatever Makes You Happy, an introspective rap-pop project that explores mental health, love, and artistry over spacey, trap-influenced production from qoRx and McNatt. âOne of the things I wanted to get across,â he explains, âis that the album was a story of overcoming anxiety, depression, addiction, and learning that doing whatever makes you happy is a two-way street.â The 12-track release boasts amazing depth: From the heartbroken âOctober â16â (one of two tracks featuring Simone French) to the show-ready âDeathchamber,â SQVTCH stays in the emotional pocket while consistently delivering the message that he is a work in progress. EYRSTâs Eppâfresh off a recent release of his ownâlends his voice too, coming in clutch on the thoughtful âJunkfileâ and âConvos.â SQVTCHâs debut, available now on all streaming services, delivers.
Covi., â4 Meâ
Covi. threw a sold-out release party in May, giving the crowd a preview of the music video for â4 Me,â a sultry collaboration with Chicago singer Nikki Hayes. The track serves as the latest single from his critically acclaimed 2018 debut album, Escalate with Me. The short filmânow available for viewingâhas a wild twist, straight from the mind of local documentarian-turned-director Riley Brown, whoâs long been developing as one of the sceneâs most intense and creative minds.
Fountaine, Rain?
Local legend in the making FountaineâMC, DJ, producer, anime enthusiastâdropped instrumental album Rain? on June 1. The Bandcamp-only release is as randomly wondrous as one would expect from the eclectic Northeast Portland artist. Complete with flagrant samples, freestyles from the homies, and cosigns from local artists, Rain? feels more like a day in the life of Fountaine than a beat tape. And let me tell you, a day spent with Fountaine is quite an experience. (Mon June 10, 7 pm, Portland Center Stage at the Armory, 128 NW 11th, $15-35, w/Blossom, Bocha, KayelaJ, DJ Dubblife)
KayelaJ, âDepression Was Trashâ
KayelaJâprobably the most explosive new artist I've witnessed in Portland in recent memoryâannounced that her debut album, D.Y.K.E. (Donât Yield, Keep Enduring), will be released on July 13. Her lead single, the Blangblanglang-produced "Depression Was Trash"Â is one of the most personal songs I've heard this year, and it has me even more excited for the full-length. Depression is never an easy topic to talk about, despite estimates that LGBTQ adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexuals to suffer from a mental health condition. KayelaJ is showing real courage by putting herself on record, while also staying true to the title of her forthcoming album. (See the June 10 event listing above.)
TROX, Late â80s Baby
TROX, a staple in hip-hop both local and beyond, is dropping his next highly anticipated beat tape, Late â80s Baby, with the help of Fresh Selects, a label started in Portland that has signed talent from around the world. The first single, "Drug Trade" is already a neck-breaker, and, on the "Drug Trade [DDA Blend]" remix, its placing of Pusha and Jigga lyrics over the top is certified insane. TROX go crazy. The full project is just around the corner, released digitally and on cassette on June 27.
Hip-Hop Week
DJ OG One recently announced that Hip-Hop Day will be expanded to Hip-Hop Week this year. The festivities begin August 20 and end on August 26, which is, not coincidentally, the birthdate of late Hip-Hop Day founder Starchile. The hip-hop community is encouraged to throw shows during this time, but only shows meeting specific criteria may be branded as official Hip-Hop Week events by JAMâN 107.5 and the City of Portland. For more info, email hiphopday@gmail.com.