Yes yes y'all. Seattle hiphop just continues to seep out into the national consciousness like an unexpected Olestra emergency—only better! Peep this month's XXL magazine, where Stranger music editor Eric Grandy gets his Gucci carpetbag on, using a review of Lupe Fiasco's Showbox show to highlight the simmering Seattle scene—and throw a mention of 206 crews such as Blue Scholars, Dyme Def, and the Physics in for good measure. Meanwhile, D-Deffer Brainstorm has just premiered a new track featuring (on the verge of ex-) G-Unitarian Young Buck, and not only brought a heatery track, but managed to outshine Mr. Tenakey with his swaggadelic vocals.
On Thursday, March 13, you have a choice of two serious bills stuffed to the rafters with NW talent. You can't lose either way, but read up and make your selection. Or if your teleportation game is on point, do what it do.
Down at the Showbox Sodo is Style Out—a great big smorgasbord of some of SEA's finest: Alpha P, the Physics, Orbitron (with DJ Tecumseh), DJ B-Girl, Mind Movers, the Elefaders, Circle of Fire, B.Y.C. Crew, and DJ Punish all represent, with 'nuff special guests, giveaways, pyrotechnics, and what have you. Says the show's promoter, Alpha P generalissimo and storied Seattle fixture Asun: "As a father of five, a performing teaching artist, and member of the Universal Zulu Nation in conjunction with Hip Hop Congress, I hope to change the way so-called 'backpack rappers' and 'gangster rappers'/'hood representatives' interact with each other, in an act of unification through similar situations and purpose." The whole shebang is also going to be a DVD as well, so if you're going down there, take that stupid hat off!
That very night, up a ways in Fremont at Nectar, is the reason I can't attend Style Out—a very dope show consisting of Neema, Cancer Rising, Certified, Tacoma's Mr. D.O.G., and Portland OG Cool Nutz (with Maniac Lok and DJ Chill). Nutz's latest joint, King Cool Nutz, is to me bar none his best work yet, and I've been listening at least since the '97 G-Ism album. (Don't snooze on the B.G.–featuring "Rude Boyz" off Maniac's album Turf Bread and Street Cred, either.) Being the King of Southeast Portland ain't easy—consider the mainstream perception of hiphop we've had to fight here in Seattle, then multiply it by 10. Then add to the equation Nutz's brand of hood hop, which isn't nearly as media-friendly as the positive works of say, Blue Scholars. So Portland's biggest act—besides Lifesavas—ends up not getting a third of the love he should in his own town. Luckily, sales have shown that Seattle loves the shit outta some Cool Nutz (fresh off a Scandinavian tour), so all y'all make sure you get it over to Nectar and show it, damnit. Show and prove. 
