TONIGHT: 3rd Thursdays @ The Monkey House

Anthill Collective comes through with another hot ticket in Winooski tonight. The big news for January's installment is the debut of Princess Nostalgia and the return of rapper/producer/etc Network, who has not been seen in these parts for quite some time. There will also be sets from Fresh Patterns and ILLu, who just released an EP.

"TrILLu" - Trono x ILLu

More fresh tunes straight out the gate -- 2018 is already busy. "TrILLu" is a six track set from producer ILLu, who has been interviewed here before, and rapper Trono of Self Portrait. Who have also been interviewed here before. This project emerged from sessions at the Skylab, and the production work of SkySplitterInk helps every track shine. Since Self Portrait dropped their debut LP "Primal Union" the trio has stayed busy.

DJ Kanganade has been working on fatherhood, new scratching techniques, and precision knife throwing.

Producer (and emcee and photographer) Rico James maintained a steady pace in 2017, dropping the Pilot EP with PreciseMC, the "GOOD FOOD" single with MilkHaus Records mainstays LoKi & Pensive, and the tasty instrumental tape Rico de Gallo.

Trono dropped a compilation called The Singles, then showed up all over the Mind's Eye Tribe LP and...well, here we are: TrILLu. The name is both catchy and inevitable, since their only real alternative was "iLono." ILLu has been on a quiet warpath and there will be plenty more to come in 2018 from this young producer.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mics & Strikes @ Champlain Lanes

As a concert series, Mics and Strikes may sound crazy on paper: hip hop and bowling is not a combination we see too often. It really works, though. Especially with a lineup this strong.

"Wool See" is a new project by IAME -- a rapper / producer who was part of the Oldominion and Sandpeople collectives out in Portland, OR.

$15 gets you two hours of bowling with a killer soundtrack. Dig it.

Self Portrait - Comin' Up

Self Portrait have stayed busy since their album Primal Union dropped back in February. Trono released an EP -- simply titled "Singles" -- and now Voltron reconfiguratizes once again for "Comin' Up," a fresh new single.



The beat is courtesy of ILLu, who also contributed some bangers to Humble's recent album, Premonition. Cuts by DJ Kanga & engineering by SkysplitterInk.

These gentlemen will all be in full effect for the next installment of Yo! BTV Raps at SideBar on June 22nd. Packed bill and a sweet little venue. Music starts at 10 pm and the show is free.

Further Reading: An interview with Self Portrait. Primal Union got reviewed by Today's Indie. Dope photos sets at Colette Kulig's site.

Cabin Fever Hip Hop Benefit for Salvation Farms

Collective Rhymes and Salvation Farms presents an annual Hip Hop benefit concert for Salvation Farms. It will take place on Thursday, April 2nd at Club Metronome at 188 Main St, Burlington, VT. Doors open at 8 PM and show starts at 9PM. It's a 21+ show and $5 at the door! It is a fundraiser, so we are accepting more than $5 for the cover charge! We have an amazing line up of local hip hop acts! Learic of the Aztexts, Wombaticus Rex, Self Portrait, Mic Plante, Bless The Child, Loupo, Notation, Owen Kinlund aka Rubix, DJCrunchee (Productions), cworner stwore, beat boxer extraordinaire Simmy B, Caveman, Rhythm Riderz Crew, Mycelium MC, and special guests! There will be an All-Star freestyle set that the DJ's, beatmakers, emcee's will improvise the soundtrack and dialogue to a silent movie! This is a hip hop show that can't be missed! See you there! Peace

WORD!CRAFT's IN LOVE!

WORD!CRAFT-Experimental Art Rhymes-Valentine's Day

A traveling, monthly, participatory, spoken word/hip hop event for all ages! It will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14th at 242 MAIN in Burlington, VT from 7:30-10:30. Doors open and sign-ups at 7. This is a substance free event. This month’s theme is “Love”, so whatever that means to you, bring it in written and/or improvised verse. You can also just come to listen and support lyrical artists. There is a cover charge of $6 for this WORD!CRAFT (it's usually a free event!) Participants in the open mic get in free, let them know at the door. 

Also we have a special guest performing a set after the open mic at 9:45.Laura Lamb Brown-Lavoie a spoken word poet and farmer from Rhode Island will be performing as her deep winter alter ego, Lefthand Man! We are very excited to have Laura be a part of WORD!CRAFT! Her set shouldn't be missed. https://lauralambbrownlavoie.wordpress.com/about/

There will be a hip hop dance party to follow until 10:30!

We are thrilled to work with 242 Main for this event. They are the oldest all ages venue in the country! 30 years strong! It's so special to be a part of their amazing history! http://www.242main.org/about

 

We are also going to have Cworner Stwore performing with DJ Kanganade for the hip hop set! Also, Rubix from the Rhythm Riderz Crew will be around to breakdance during the dance party! Now you definitely can't miss this show! What a perfect date night! See you there and Peace!

Food Justice For All - A Hip Hop benefit concert for Salvation Farms

            Collective Rhymes presents an evening of Vermont independent hip hop to raise money for Salvation Farms (http://www.salvationfarms.org), a gleaning organization that gets fresh produce, that would of otherwise been wasted, to those in need.  
            It will take place at Parker Pie Co. in West Glover, VT on Saturday, January 10th from 8-11PM. Performances by Face-One, Mavstar, Maiden Voyage, Owen Kinlund, Caveman, Dusty Swamp, and special guests. Your host of the evening will be Mycelium. There will be a freestyle cypher and dancing to end the night. Cover charge is a suggested donation of $5-$500 and there will be a raffle with lots of cool local items! For More Info mcmycelium74@gmail.com

ILLu - B Side Instrumentals Volume II

A fresh beat tape from Jenke Arts affiliate ILLu, who was recently interviewed here on Vermont Hip Hop. This is a soundtrack that suits the Siberian climate we're all enjoying this week -- give it a spin.

Get Familiar: ILLu

Thirtyseven: What was your introduction to Vermont's hip hop scene?

ILLu: Dave Grippo was my middle school music teacher and seeing his funk band perform at our assemblies with a DJ and Rapper was the first time I realized hip hop was made in Vermont and around Burlington.

Thirtyseven: What is your production process these days?

ILLu: My production process starts when I dig through the crates to find a sample. I'm a big record collector. I record the sample into my MPC, chop it up and rearrange it. Find some drums and do the same to them. After the beat is finished I mix it down into Reaper, add some effects and some finishing touches. At that point I usually consider the beat done and move on to the next.



Thirtyseven: How did you link up with Jenke Arts and how has your experience been so far?

ILLu: I linked up with Jenke by chance really. I brought my MPC to Radio Bean's open mic and performed a (very poorly written) song and scratched some vocal samples over a couple of my beats. Mavstar just happened to be there that night and before I got off the stage he asked if he could freestyle and I said absolutely. Word must've got to Tommy Alexander at Jenke and he asked if I could supply him with some beats for the next Set Up City record and though Tommy I met MC Rajnii, J Kaine, Humble, and Knowble.

Thirtyseven: Do you feel like its harder for producers to make a name in a small scene like Burlington than it would be for rappers?

ILLu: I don't think it's any easier for emcees in Burlington because the population is so small it's hard to build a fan base. But producers have to rely on word of mouth more often then not because they don't have the same avenues to express their art form. Where a rapper can go to an open mic and showcase their skills, a producer doesn't really have that. Especially if they don't DJ.

Thirtyseven: What are your favorite venues in Vermont?

ILLu: Manhattan's Pizza is one of my favorite local venues because it is so diverse in its music, especially their openness towards hip hop with the help of their open mic's and Andy Lugo.

Thirtyseven: Aside from adding a couple hundred thousand young people with disposable income, is there anything you would like to see change in the BTV hip hop scene?

ILLu: I would like to see a Burlington version of the Rock The Bells shows where every one comes together to put on a show, have fun, and showcase their skills.

Thirtyseven: What are your goals for 2014?

ILLu: Goals for 2014 include seeing the beats I've given to local rappers released for everyone to hear. Also would like to link up with a rapper to release a project similar to what the Alchemist has been doing with Action Bronson, Prodigy and Boldy James.