Feb. 3rd: Dilla Day 2018 @ Sidebar

Since Sidebar opened, they've quickly evolved into a hotbed for good hip hop. This is almost definitely the result of management being big fans. They regularly feature DJs like SVPPLY and Crusty Cuts in addition to rap talent like Jarv, Hanknative and Mister Burns.

(Note: fans of "beer" will also find a lot to love there.)

So it's fitting that Sidebar would be hosting a Dilla Day 2018 celebration. They're doing it up right, too. Shout out to promoters who have actual promo copy for their events. Here's the scoop from Sidebar:

"Around his birthday every year, cities across the US take time to celebrate the life and work of James Yancey A.K.A. J Dilla. We will be celebrating his influence on Hip Hop and honoring his memory at Sidebar on Saturday, February 3rd.

Beat sets will start off the night from three local hip hop producers: Crusty Cuts, Loupo and Old Gold. Hanknative, Sam and Somba will perform original material with a J Dilla-influenced twist. We will close the night with hip hop DJ sets from Svpply and Crusty Cuts to dance right till 2. Come celebrate with us!"

"Hanknative" is yung phenom Hank Collins, the BTV prodigy who earned a "Best Hip Hop Artist or Group" Seven Daysie nomination last summer. February 3rd is a Saturday night and this party is free.

Loupo - "Good Company"

The tag team of Es-K and Loupo have been racking up some serious accomplishments in the past year. Where Es-K's Building Bridges project plugged him into NYC's rap scene, Loupo's latest album covers very different terrain: wobbly, psychedelic jazz-hop experiments with a talented group of co-producers and live musicians.

This is much more than a beat tape. This is a serious album that will occupy your headphones for weeks.

Good Company was released on Melody Soul, a Baton Rouge based label with a great roster and a global rep. Loupo is already cranking on the next step, a collaboration he's calling "Noise Ordinance" -- more on that soon.

General Steele & Es-K - "Persistence"

Last year, Vermont producer Es-K released a world-class album called Building Bridges in collaboration with NYC rap legend General Steele of the Boot Camp Klik. Since then, their project has been racking up spins around the planet - actual radio spins of actual 180g vinyl, too.

Like any independent artist with quality product should, they've been pushing it hard ever since. This Cisco directed video for "Persistence" features VVS Verbal & Louie Skaggs and a whole lot of Green Mountain panoramic beauty.

The team at Bucktown USA have just released a followup bonus, the Building Bridges Cypha, which features 17 emcees going in on a theme. Maiden Voyage madman Jarv is included in the roster, fresh off tour with RA the Rugged man and joining the Royal Rumble here at lucky number eleven.



Rounding out the 802's contribution is Crusty Cuts on the scratches. All power to the DJs; the world needs more scratch breaks.

Dec 12th: Masta Ace @ The Rusty Nail, Stowe VT

Vermonty Burns Productions keeps it moving even in the dead of winter: up next, they're bringing Masta Ace to Stowe, VT's finest venue, the (formerly) infamous Rusty Nail. This is a deeply stacked bill, featuring The Aztext, Lynguistic Civilians, BTV newcomers Maiden Voyage, and Crusty Cuts doing a DJ set. (You should know Crusty Cuts from the recent Ler Stevens project, Green Hour.) Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of.

"Green Hour" - Ler Stevens

Fresh produce from Philly transplant Ler Stevens, "Green Hour" is a big, ambitious piece of work. He's definitely delivered on the promise of "Different," expanding his collaboration with Crusty Cuts and finding a perfect pocket for his flow.

As the man himself says in the liner notes, "For years i have been trying to find my sound without even knowing, and I'm sure i found it." Amen. Worth the download, worth your time.