VIDEO: Arabian Knights - Colby Stiltz

Colby Stiltz is a polarizing figure despite being a genial, even goofy hippie who keeps it positive in the truest sense. He splits his time between several states these days, but he's been around for awhile. Seven Days was referring to him as the leader of "a new generation of rhyme-slinging talent" back in 2010.

Since then he's spent time in Maine, his childhood home, and Florida, which has given his sound a distinctly Dirty South drawl in recent years. He raps about marijuana, higher consciousness, and being a better person. Also, Illuminati mind control.

Yet somehow he was the catalyst for the 802's July Beef-A-Thon, back when Judge Da Beast dropped his "Slenderman" diss -- a reference to Colby's famous Stiltz. (Dude is tall.) Like most conflicts, the July Beef-A-Thon started on Facebook, immediately spiraled out of control, and fizzled out fast after that.

Everyone involved kept it moving, too. Achievement is the best revenge, and besides, this is a Show and Prove kinda culture. As summer settled into winter, #STILTZgang eased up on a constant show schedule and disappeared to do work behind the scenes. This new video is our first look at their next season of material.

"Arabian Knights" is on a jazzy, classic wavelength, the production coming courtesy of Orlando musician & beatsmith kfelk. He's going to have a few more cuts on Colby's upcoming album Down2Earth, a sequel to his 2015 LP, Down to Earth.

This video was shot by King Spencer, who put in serious damn work in 2017. He aimed to shoot videos in all 50 states that year, and managed a truly impressive 47. That, on top of his already prodigious professional output around his native Oklahoma. Spencer has a lean, glossy style, with a clear sense of how to assemble a compelling product. If he ever winds up back in BTV, give that man a call.

You can catch Colby Stiltz grinding around New England despite the cold this month. On January 13th, he'll be at the 1st Annual Granite State Hip Hop Festival in Manchester, NH. It's three consecutive nights of live hip hop at the Jewel -- Stiltz will be playing the Saturday night "Hip Hop Heroes" showcase, alongside Eyedos of JYNXinc, opening up for legends like The Artifacts and Sadat X.

Eyedos - "Buried IN Barre"

Summer of Love 2017 continues. Vermont has never been known for rap beef, but when it rains, well...it's monsoon season, bud. After shots from Judge Da Beast and M. Rich of Bar None The Best -- and a response track from Colby Stiltz -- now Eyedos is getting involved.

I'm not entirely clear on how Eyedos got drawn into this -- it's not like he's out here repping STILTZgang. But I'm betting it involves Facebook. This beef has been a classic study in conflict: war is all about unintended consequences, and those begin immediately.

"Buried IN Barre" is definitely the hardest shot so far. Unlike "Beef Stew," it's an actual diss track, and Eyedos has bars for days. This is also the best production, on all fronts. Wherever our Summer of Love goes from here, hopefully the quality control stays this good.

As they used to say in Europe: ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

Colby Stiltz - "Beef Stew"

After a diss track from Judge Da Beast -- and a follow-up shot from M. Rich of Bar None The Best -- we've got a response from Colby Stiltz. Personal punchlines, beatbox intro, and full studio production: it's on, approximately. Atlanta trap is perhaps a weird direction to take it, but "weird" has been part of the STILTZgang aesthetic for years now.

"My one and only response for the fans of hip hop in this state," reports Mr. Stiltz. "Doing it for the culture and for fun and to show these guys I won't be dissed on my home turf. Peace and love is what runs Vermont and we will defend that!"

Not sure if I should make a DJ Vlad joke or a DJ Kayslay joke, but either way: enjoy. It's going to be an entertaining summer from here.

Stiltz & Posse will be in the house for the upcoming Regional Indie Hip Hop Compilation Release Party at Club Metronome on the 20th.

ROUNDUP: Hip Hop Shows in July

Happy 4th, folks. Make it count.

July 6th: Spose x Shane Reis at Higher Ground. Spose is a yung rap phenom from Maine who was smart enough to build a sustainable fanbase off his viral hit "I'm Awesome." Expect a fun show and copious amounts of ganja raps. 8:30 pm. $12 adv / $14 at the door.

July 13th: Burlington Hip Hop Night at Club Metronome. Another stacked showcase gig; this is a strong lineup. S.I.N.Sizzle, Jibba the Gent and Cultural Chemistry, plus appearances from Chyse (with DJ Ross) and a set from Young $eth & David Chief. 9 pm. 21+ $7 // 18+ $10.

July 20th: 3rd Thursday at the Monkey House. Anthill Collective's excellent monthly series continues, this time bringing Montreal true school rapper Monk'E to BTV. Also on the bill: Face One will be back onstage for the first time in awhile, and Self Portrait will be in full effect. 9 pm. 21+ $3 // 18+ $8

Also July 20th: Regional Indie Hip Hop Compilation Release Party at Club Metronome. Not a very catchy name, but it promises to be an entertaining evening. This is going to be a "live mixtape" affair featuring a ton of artists, a collaborative production from Heartless Entertainment and STILTZgang. The big news here: live set from Kingbread. You know you have to see that. 10 pm. 21+ free // 18+ $5

July 22nd: Music for the Good Earth at Parker Pie Co. It's out there, but Parker Pie Co. has some of the best food in the state -- and, without question, one of the best beer lists. Maiden Voyage will be headlining this one, which is a guaranteed good time. NEK heads are strongly advised to check this one out. MC Mycelium will be there with his Speaking in Tongues improv rap outfit. 8-11 pm. $5 donation.

Also July 22nd: Hip Hop Showcase at Charlie-O's. This legendary Montpelier dive is always a great venue for rap music, but this bill is especially interesting. There's going to be a lot of regional talent - Cody Pope and Two Story are from New Hampshire, and Ill By Instinct is a wicked talented emcee from Maine who's been having a great run in 2017. Rounding out the bill: Fresh Patterns, Trono and a solo set Mister Burns. 9 pm. 21+ only. Free as in free.

July 26th: Northern Exposure at Higher Ground. Northern Exposure is a monthly series that usually showcases rock, but this month's edition is heavy on local hip hop. These are all new names to me: Kastaway, Khaocity, Italics, and Drive. More details and hilarious bio copy available here. 8:30 pm. $6 adv and day of.

Remember, every Wednesday evening from 10 pm to midnight, Mister Burns is running the studio at 105.9 FM -- THE RADIATOR. His show, Words & Verbs, is a celebration of Vermont hip hop.

2017's celebration of A-Dog Day will be on Saturday, August 26th.