VIDEO: Bar None The Best - "Eye See"

Barre true school disciples Bar None The Best are continuing their 2017 warpath, as promised. After launching a single with Termanology, "Grind," they took a left turn, shooting & editing a music video for their affiliate, Judge Da Beast. Now they're back with another Myster DL directed piece for "Eye See," a funky & catchy Nastee production.

No word yet on the next EP or album, but Bar None The Best deserve credit for knowing what they want and how to get there. They're making very interesting moves. They're one of the few 802 crews that are aiming squarely at a nationwide audience, and they've got an expert mentor. Not only has Nastee been on the frontlines of NYC hip hop since the 90's, he's still on the cutting edge in 2017, working with the Pro Era camp. He knows what works.

Between the aftermath of the Seven Daysies awards and the advent of the "SpitDat.com" top 10 lists, there's been a lot of social media posturing about who "the best" in Vermont is. Like I say every two weeks here, that's thinking too small.

Bar None The Best have been proud outsiders from the beginning, devoted to hardcore street rap in a state that skews toward conscious vibes. They're concerned with cementing their place in hip hop, not Vermont. Their game plan in 2017 so far has reflected that, every step of the way.

Make sure your plan reflects your dreams, too. Don't let local politics or crab bucket reflexes make your decisions for you. Skills remain timeless.

Scarface (of Geto Boys) Live in Barre 3/17!

The Friends For A_Dog Foundation present legendary Geto Boys member Scarface live in Barre, Vermont Thursday March 17th at the historic Barre Opera House. Lots of support on this show including VT Union, Bar None The Best, Self Portrait, Causin Effect, Jamell NYT, DJ Rekkon, DJ Kanganade and hosted by King Sha Mecca Blaze! This is deffinitely a special show as a portion of the proceeds go to the Spaulding High School Arts Department! This show is also structured to focus more on the performance as this will be an early show and also substance free. Huge show for Vermont, you can get tickets at $25 / All Ages / Show from 7PM - 10PM

July 16th: Nappy Roots Pre-Show at Zen Lounge

Props to Zen Lounge and Vermonty Burns Productions for bringing Nappy Roots to Burlington -- and putting in work for the Vermont rap scene, too. What I am about to describe here is very cool, and a welcome break from the usual horseshit that promoters get up to when they bring a major act though town. On August 7th, Nappy Roots will be coming through Zen Lounge, and quite rightfully, Lynguistic Civilians and Bless the Child will be opening...but there's still room on the bill.

Rather than just selling slots and watering down the show with rich kids with no talent (aka "The Usual") Vermonty Burns Productions is holding a "Pre-Show" competition on Wednesday, July 16th. As VBP manager Scott LaValla explains, "When doors open at the club everyone will be asked who they are there to see, then during the showcase people can also vote for there favorite act which also enters them into a raffle for two tickets to the 8/7 Nappy Roots show. The artist/group in the showcase with the most combined votes gets the opening slot as well as a feature in Cider Magazine."

Better yet, the "Pre-Show" lineup is awesome. Currently on the bill: BTV's most promising new hip hop act, Self Portrait, Montpelier party rap explosion Boomslang, the hard-working freestyle phenom MC Mycelium, and Southern VT fixtures G da Louisville Slugga and Ms. Sheila White.

Good news: There are still two slots left. If you're interested, get in touch with vermontyburns@gmail.com. Like, ASAP.

TONIGHT: RAP BTV Talent Show @ Metronome

S.I.N. Sizzle's symphony is going down tonight -- be there. Do it for Cheesus Mac God.

More information available via Club Metronome.

December 7th: Nappy Roots in Barre @ Gustos

What in the...? This one snuck up on us: Nappy Roots is playing Gustos in Barre this Saturday night. Apparently there are no local openers, just a house DJ until the show starts. $10 cover, 21+.

2013 has been a banner year for damn strange hip hop shows in Vermont. N.O.R.E. coming through a venue called "Venue," Chance the Rapper wasting his time in Middlebury, Dice Raw showing up at Das Bierhaus, and now Nappy Roots in Barre. It definitely seems like what the Vermont scene needs the most right now is promoters who actually promote.

I'm sure I'll be saying the same thing at the end of 2014, though: so it goes.