FROZE AF ROUNDUP: Winter 2018 Hip Hop Shows

No matter how far below zero that mercury drops, the shows must go on. What follows is a quick look ahead.

Jan. 10th - Blackalicious w/ Epidemiks @ The Snow Barn. West coast legends Gift of Gab & Chief XL will be rolling through The Snow Barn in West Dover...courtesy of Bud Light, no less. Opening support comes from Epidemiks, fresh off their New Years Eve celebration at The Stone Church. 9 pm. $15 adv / $20 door. 18+.

Jan. 11th - Khaosity @ Radio Bean. Khaosity kicks off his Light It Up Blue Tour, an effort to raise awareness & money for autism research. Lineup includes Corty Booth and Stormyweather. 10 pm. Free. ALL AGES.

Jan. 12-14th - 1st Annual Granite State Hip Hop Festival. Obviously, this is a New Hampshire event, but like the Ruckus Cup Classic in Maine, it's a big deal. This is going to be three nights of live hip hop at Jewel in Manchester -- perhaps the biggest highlight is Saturday night's bill, which features The Artifacts and Sadat X, in addition to 802 artists like Eyedos and Colby Stiltz. Check event page for details.

Jan. 18th - 3rd Thursday @ Monkey House Anthill Collective's family style party is almost always an event, and this month is no exception. The big reveal this time around 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 is fresh off a new release. 9 pm. $3 21+ / $8 18+.

Jan. 26th - Maiden Voyage, C Shreve, Mister Burns @ Windsor Station. A pretty much guaranteed Friday night party. Maiden Voyage will be hosting at their hometown haunt, Mister Burns will be returning, and C Shreve will be bringing the guest boom baps. 9 pm. Free. 21+.

Jan. 27th - Mister Burns, C.Shreve, DJ Jet, Boomslang & Jarv @ Charlie O's. The same party continues north to Montpelier, home of America's Greatest Dive Bar, Charlie-O's. Boomslang will be cranking up the funk quotient to eleven. This will be hot stuff. 9 pm. Free. 21+.

Also Jan. 27th - All Black Party 2018 @ Social Club & Lounge. Heartless Entertainment will be hosting this "grown & sexy" party, which features a $100 cash prize for the best dressed arrival. No word on the lineup yet. Or cover price. 21+.

Feb. 1st - Mister Burns and Jarv @ Switchback Taproom An early set at a great spot downtown. A treat for BTV locals. 6 pm. Free. 21+.

Feb. 2nd - Building Blocks 2 @ Swan Dojo No word on the lineup or details, but the date, at least, is set in stone. The next installment of the community party / actual cypher / b-boy jam / fundraiser will be Friday, February 2nd. More on this story as it develops, folks.

Feb. 3rd - Mister Burns & Jarv at Notte Neapolitan Pizza Bar. The state's reigning tag team champions take their show to Middlebury, VT. 10 pm. $3. 21+.

Feb. 8th - Milo @ Arts Riot. Milo will be bringing his caravan through Arts Riot again, this time bringing along CT-based troubador and label founder Ceschi. Sadly, NYC wizard/god ELUCID will not be making the trek to Vermont, but this will still be a great night. 8pm. $15. ALL AGES.

ROUNDUP: Hip Hop Shows in December

By comparison to the rest of 2017, December will be a slow month, but we've got big events coming just the same.

Dec. 8th Brzowski @ Zen Barn. One of the nicest venues in Waterbury, VT will be hosting a strange & appetizing lineup: Maine legend Brzowski will be delivering the goods, jam band Annie in the Water will be doing a "hip hop inspired set," and Rick & Morty themed rap group ROY II will be opening. (This explains all the weird stickers I've been seeing around Waterbury.) 9 pm. $5 @ door. All Ages? Try it and find out!

Dec. 9th Jibba "The Gent's" Birthday Bash @ Rusty Nail This is going to be Kind Of A Big Deal. Headlined by underground legends Slaine & Termanology, this party will also feature sets from Bar None The Best, Modest, and Hitmen For Hire -- a new group consisting of Raw Deff, Judge Da Beast, and Yung Breeze. Check out their debut mixtape if you haven't already. 9 pm. $15. 21+.

Dec. 15th Boomslang at Positive Pie. Expect a dance party, bud. Montpelier true school futurists Boomslang will be rocking alongside two 80's-tastic bands, Champagne Dynasty and new BTV outfit Night Protocol. 9 pm. $5 @ the door.

Dec. 21st 3rd Thursday @ Monkey House. Save the date -- still no word on this month's lineup but there's a lot of buzz about a big announcement, so stay tuned. Anthill Collective always does it right.

Dec. 28th Mr. Burns x Jarv x Sam Paulino @ Sidebar. The artists behind two of the very best albums this year will be in one (awesome, small) venue on a post-Christmas Thursday night. (That would be Jarv's Boiler Room and Sam's The South Cove EP.) One man movement Mr. Burns will also be in the building; a congress of kings. 9 pm. Free. 21+.

Dec. 31st Epidemiks New Years Eve Party at The Stone Church. This will be a black & white ball semi-formal event featuring a special NYE performance by Brattleboro favorites, Epidemiks. 9:30 pm. $10. All Ages.

ROUNDUP: Brief Intermissions

Dropped out for a minute there, sorry folks. Things have been hectic, in a good way. We'll get back to our normal schedule by Turkey Day. In the meantime, though, I owe you some quick updates, no?

First of all, the Food for Thought Tour is in full swing. Props for making The Addison Independent. Props for raising money to feed hungry families, one of those rare causes that absolutely nobody can really argue with because it is so Obviously Good For All Mankind. Coming up this week: Flask Lounge (ME) and then...

Anthill's 3rd Thursday at The Monkey House will be a doozy, with Jarv & Mister burns swinging through to headline alongside Boomslang, who just dropped their new album Attack the Vampire. Things kick off with Prism GBA and Modest, who celebrates the release of his new EP, Harder Times Bring Harder Rhymes. 9 pm. 18+ $8 / 21+ $3.

In other big news, Jibba "The Gent" is going to be throwing a birthday party show at The Rusty Nail in Stowe on December 9th. Headlining the evening will be Slaine and Termanology, fresh off their new collab album Anti-Hero. (Which bangs, by the way.) Also on the bill: Bar None The Best and Hitmen For Hire -- a new project featuring Raw Deff, Judge Da Beast and Yung Breeze. Expect all fire bars from some of the 802's best spitters.

That show is being promoted by 6ix5ive6ix Records and Hustle, Loyalty & Respect Ent, with additional sponsorship from J Gibbs Engineering and Springfield-based restaurant Sherri's Place. It takes a village to make a scene to work. Big thanks to everyone supporting hip hop in the 802.

On Friday, legendary hardcore venue Jim's Basement will be hosting some hip hop: Self Portrait and Face One will be delivering an evening of choice beats and rhymes. If you don't know about Jim's Basement, bud, ask around. Usual rules apply: $5 donation for the band. No Jerks Allowed. It's a policy that works.

Rainy Thursday Update

Bad news first: Fear Fest is postponed, which is to say, not happening this weekend. Location problems at the last minute forced their hand and the team at Yours Truly Inc is trying to line up a new venue and date.

Much better news: BTV rapper NOtation is back with a fresh single and a slick new black and white video to match: "Get Up" features a slamming David Chief beat and some hella decent luxury sedans. Dig it.



In other news: I missed the opportunity to mark the one year anniversary of Judge Da Beast's LP, "Arraignment." It's a raw, solid debut. Links: CD Baby / Apple Music / Amazon

Judge Da Beast has a lot more on the way, including a project coming out next month with Raw Deff and Yung Breeze, Hitmen For Hire -- another opening salvo from the Street Religion movement.

In comeback news: there's another fresh video out this week, and it's Walshie Steeze teaming up with some of the Lynguistic fam for a feel-good summer single. Given how 2017 has been, that actually makes sense at the end of October...hell, I mowed the lawn in shorts two days ago. "It's All Good" features LC and Mike "Philly" Fulton, and it's a slice off his upcoming solo LP, The Walsh Street Journal.



Remember, this will be a packed weekend of shows: two hot tickets tomorrow night with Boomslang's Album Release Party in Montpelier and Manus + Friends popping in Winooski, and a very impressive lineup for Mics and Strikes on Saturday at Champlain Lanes. From here, it's Halloween parties and the Food For Thought Tour kickoff. Enjoy the moment.

Above the Radar Wraps Today

Down on the BTV waterfront this afternoon, the last day of Above the Radar is about to get cooking. This is a huge graffiti art festival, the first of its kind here in Vermont, and the Anthill Collective has assembled a truly world-class collection of talent to bless a massive 260 foot wall.

It's going down at 1 King St. and there will be live music and taco trucks. You can't beat it.

Photo is by BTV hip hop superfan Brett North.

ROUNDUP: Hip Hop Shows in September

September 6th: Yo! BTV Raps Vol. 9 @ Sidebar. This should be approximately hype as fuck, packing some high energy rap acts into an intimate lil' craft bar. Jarv and Boomslang are both party demolition units. In addition, Face One continues his comeback streak, Khaosity will be staking his claim to BTV, and PR Department will deliver a set. That's a new collaboration between Rico James of Self Portrait and local boom bap head PreciseMC. Also, happy birthday to hip hop superfan and live show cameraman Brett North! 10 pm. 21+. Free.

September 7th: Hip Hop Heals @ Backstage Pub and Restaurant This is a benefit show for the Garrows, a local family who had a house fire this summer. Admission is free and there will be a variety of fundraiser activities throughout the evening. Props to Colby Stiltz for putting this on.

September 12th: Big Boi @ Higher Ground. Hot damn. Not a lot needs to be said here. 8 pm. All Ages. $35 adv / $38 door.

September 14th: Vermont's Finest @ Social Club and Lounge. Another showcase affair at Social Club, a great BTV venue that makes a point of putting on real events. This should be no exception, an evening of local rap sponsored by God Squad and Heartless Ent. Lineup includes Eyedos, BL SPITZ and Dok Trauma. 8 pm. 18+ $5 / College ID $2

September 15-17 Above The Radar. This is a Very Big Deal: a three-day graffiti festival right on the Burlington waterfront, bringing in some legendary crews to collaborate on massive walls. This is a family friendly, pure hip hop event and represents a massive amount of work by Vermont's own Anthill Collective. Free. Go check it out.

September 15th: Mics and Strikes @ Champlain Lanes. The lineup hasn't been announced yet but if you want raps, drinks and bowling all in one place, this is your fix. Always a good time.

September 16th: Capital Punishment @ Sweet Melissas. Current lineup is Khaosity, Drive, Modest and Lifelesson -- expect more names to be added in the weeks to come. 9 pm. All Ages. $5.

September 16th: Upper Valley Summer Music Festival @ The Engine Room. Packed bill in White River Junction. 9 pm. $10 adv / $15 door.

September 21st: Home Grown Hip Hop @ Club Metronome. Colby Stiltz, Suss Brim, Chyse Atkins, Jibba Tha Gent, Modest, Party Boy Woodz, Joe Grizzly and City Lights. 9 pm. 18+ $5 / 21+ Free

September 30th: The Fall Come Up @ Gustos. A guaranteed good time. This is a homecoming party in Barre for Bar None The Best, and they'll be celebrating with a serious lineup: Judge Da Beast, Jibba The Gent, and NYT (aka Jamell Rogers). To top it all off, this is your chance to see the Street Religion crew live onstage without having to drive at least an hour south. 10:30 pm 21+

September 30th: Boomslang & Jarv @ Charlie O's. Another guaranteed good time, and in the same county, no less. It's a Vermont tradition. Best dive bar in the state if not the country, great party rap, colorful regulars grumbling about great party rap -- just because I've said all this before doesn't mean you shouldn't be there. 21+. Free.

Boomslang, Free The Optimus, Maiden Voyage, 3/4 @ Charlie-O's

Here's a no-brainer for anyone in Washington County: two of the most entertaining hip hop groups in the state will be playing at Vermont's Best Dive Bar™ with North Carolina crew Free The Optimus. Hard to beat a guaranteed Saturday Night like that, yeah?



Boomslang has become a fixture of the Montpelier rap scene -- and that's a good thing. As co-founding members of local label co-op State and Main, they built that scene by hand in recent years. (Shouts to Mr. Yee & Tank, too.) They know everyone, they're gracious hosts, and they love to bring good music to the capital city. Maiden Voyage are a perfect compliment: just some talented country boys who like to party. This will be a loud, fun evening. NO COVER.

Sound Affects Recap - Waking Windows Hip-Hop Showcase

A new monthly Hip-Hop Community Event - Sound Affects - held it's premiere event on May 7th as part of Waking Windows Music Festival in Winooski. Their 2-Hour Hip-Hop Showcase went extremely well & got people excited for their monthly events, to be held at Arts Riot, starting on June 30th.

If you weren't in attendance, you missed out on a truly amazing experience. The energy in the intimate venue (Oak45) was infections & all of the artists displayed a high-level of professionalism & talent.

The Showcase started out with the host, Mertz, passionately performing a song that speaks to why the time for us to all come together is now. The Live Mixtape portion followed & grasped the audience's attention while 8-artists performed songs in rapid succession, blended together by DJ Kanga. Peace to PreciseMC, Self Portrait, Boomslang, LoKi, Manus feat. Dakota, Budnick, Enemy Self, & Bar None The Best for being a part of it!

Next, 4-artists with new projects in the works showcased their new material in longer Featured Sets. Eyedos provided an enthusiastic set - Forest Gray brought his production on stage - Humble displayed his innate energy - & Mister Burns lived up to his reputation as one of the hardest working artists in our state!

The Showcase came to a close with an energetic Freestyle Cypher, where the group Cworner Stwore provided live music (MPC, Stand-up Bass, Clarinet) while a myriad of lyricists freestyled their hearts out! Every Sound Affects event will end with a Freestyle Cypher while we stand united, fighting against the misconception that Hip-Hop artists are not 'real' musicians.

Check out their Video & Photo Recaps from the event, courtesy of their sponsor DVP Cinematography Services! Peace also to their sponsors Unknown Arts & The Sticky Brand!

If you love Hip-Hop, connect with them on social media (@SoundAffectsVT) in order to stay updated on their monthly events!

See you all at Arts Riot on June 30th!

TONIGHT: Boomslang & Free The Optimus in Montpelier

Tonight in Montpelier at the World Famous Charlie O's, Vermont's own Boomslang and North Carolina collective Free The Optimus will be live for a night of great music. Free The Optimus is from Nashville, NC where they have made a name for themselves with multiple releases and supporting the likes of some of Hip Hop's greats. This is a FREE SHOW with music starting at 9PM.

TONIGHT: Hip Hop In The Capital At Positive Pie

Tonight at Positive Pie in Montpelier, Vermont is an incredible lineup of local and regional talent. Coming up from Southern, NH is Granite State. They have been solid on the New England scene for a long time and are excited to see them back in VT. Locals include Learic (of The Aztext), Mister Burns (of The Lynguistic Civilians), Boomslang and Sky Splitter Ink! Music starts at 10:30PM and is only $5 / 21+

Tonight @ Charlie-O's: Boomslang & Enemy Self

Friday night rap party at Charlie-O's. A hard recipe to beat, if you're looking for a good time. Headlining the hootenanny: hometown heroes Boomslang, who've had a busy 2014. There will be some intense instrumental sets from two of the 802's finest producers, Skysplitter Ink and Loupo. Skysplitter Ink has been insanely prolific this year, working behind the boards on dozens of rap albums for artists around the world and still finding time to tour with his rap group, Somewhere in the Solution. The young shogun Loupo is hot off the release of both a solo album on LA label Cold Busted, and the excellent Jenke Arts collaboration Agent Slacker.

The festivities will also feature the debut of Enemy Self, a long time veteran of 802 hip hop who has recently released his experimental album "Evolution Kills." If you're in Montpelier, there is simply no other place to be.

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.

Jan 17th: No Humans Allowed, Boomslang, Learic, Wombaticus Rex @ Charlie-O's World Famous

Psyched to be returning to the finest dive bar in Vermont -- and perhaps the world -- and more psyched to be bringing No Humans Allowed to the most appropriate possible venue for The Viking Assault. Better yet, we're bringing Boomslang and Learic from The Aztext.

December 17th: Boomslang @ Nectars

The cats in Boomslang have been making great hip hop for years, but their intermittent output and Montpelier location have kept them off the radar for way too many Vermont rap heads, especially here in Burlington. Good news is, you can fix that for free next Tuesday.

S & M Records -- that's "State & Main," pervs -- is a capitol city collective that's been doing great work putting the Montpelier scene on the map. (Or radar screen, whatever.) They will be putting on another Burlington showcase on December 17th, and it's free if you're old enough to drink. Come get familiar.