Know what? I don’t wanna read that same story about the scene anymore—you know the one: “Hooray for local hiphop! They’re not all bad; some of them speak so well.” Look, it’s not about making squares feel safe, it’s about, y’know, hearing these motherfuckers rap! And getting out to shows and buying CDs. But even the most vigilant local rap fan can miss a lot of the town’s talent. One problem we’ve always had here is what I call the “island chain” syndrome: Everybody is isolated from everybody else and thinks they’re the only game in town. Don’t get it effed-up—in the last few years, there’s definitely been a wider awareness of the whole scope of Northwest music, but we all know it’s still an issue. So any time a situation comes along that’s a good showcase for a variety of styles, such as the excellent Reigncraft compilations, I’m all for it, homey. That said, squalor at your boy DJ Nphared. Dude does his zhigga-zhigga thing around town, notably as DJ for Grynch, but most recently he dropped The 40 Bar Dash mix tape. Dash‘s concept is simple like the commander in chief—100 percent local talent (imagine that) dropping 40 bars apiece. (Get it?) Npha has enlisted MCs from the 206 and 253 ranging from straight Jansport to more gangsta-oriented to spit: my man Grynch, Mic Phenomenal, Ricky Pharoe, Jay Barz, Spaceman, Billy The Fridge, D. Black, Kublakai, Half Sane AKA B-Ill, Skuntdunanna, Fatal Lucciauno, Retrospective, George Zelaya, Gameboy, Notion, Joe King, Ripynt, Notes (of Dividenz), and Willie Will. As can be expected, there’s some ehhh verses but overall it’s a good look at a whole bunch of Northwest cats you may or may not know about. Hit up www.myspace.com/djnphared and get yourself a copy, sport.
On Wednesday, March 7, you might be able to see some of Seattle’s finest live and direct at the PUSH (People United Saving Hiphop) MC Battle at Nectar. Come see the livest cats get down and dirty for prizes and shine, all ably judged by yours truly and the one, the only Jake One. If you’re not sure what we look like, we will be the ones onstage making snide comments about your shoes and nerdy voice. Come say hi! Shit, I might as well judge battles. I’m done being in ’em.
Best night out I’d had in a minute was in sweaty-ass Havana a couple Sundays ago. Why? ‘Cause they played nothing but Dr. Dre shit, dude. Chronic, yes, Doggystyle, yes—but when was the last time you heard “The Formula” or “Natural Born Killaz” in the club?! Sounds good, don’t it? It was merely the start of things for Fresh Produce, a producer-focused weekly going down every Lord’s Day for all you heathens. The evening’s proceedings are brought to you by homies DJ Soul One and Marc Sense. It’s too late for you to see last week’s all-RZA/Wu-Tang (sorry I ain’t tell you last week) but this Sunday you can see the J-Dilla tribute, with some Ummah joints thrown in for good measure. Upcoming nights include DITC/Just Blaze and Beatnuts/Beatminerz… wow. Rap nerds of the world, unite! 