Ready or not, “hot girl summer” is here and it’s time to jump into these cool soundwaves. Here are a couple of new releases from Portland-based artists, and a few shows to get you through to mid-July.
“Glory Glory,” Rasheed Jamal
I’ve been waiting for Rasheed Jamal to drop new music ever since 2017’s Indigo Child (and since Jamal teased new music during his Pickathon set last year). But Jamal has remained quiet up until June 21, when the rapper finally dropped “Glory Glory,” the first single from his forthcoming album. As with much of Jamal’s material, the song is raw and his delivery is on point—he holds nothing back as he makes vivid testimony about the things he’s been through, from gentrification to losing loved ones to crack addiction and overdose. Jamal’s output isn’t exactly the kind of stuff you party or get inebriated to, but it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a banger when performed live. (Fri July 12, 10 pm, Jack London Revue, 529 SW 4th, $10-15)
