Features

September 27, 2016 in Music, New, Women by

Karma Rivera – “Good 4 U”

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“Go and get yours, that’s the motto for the team.”

WOHM regular Karma Rivera sums up her attitude and bad bitch persona on her newest track “Good 4 U” with a sprinkle from the feminist wave. Rivera has never had a problem speaking her mind and calling out those who may have more antiquated perspectives about the hip hop industry (see: her dope appearance in a Portland all female cypher). It’s not difficult to see that the “team motto” is her shoutout to any ladies out there who have had to face double standards on the daily.

“Either you were a good girl or a bad one—can’t be both,” says Rivera, “Now, among millenial women, we have to be both. Good girls are now bad girls that ain’t been caught. That’s the culture.”

Her personal message has always been clear—she is confident in the person she’s become and there are few things that she will compromise her integrity for. There’s no point in playing nice, “They say be Madonna don’t ever be the hoe/But why be a saint when she’s never in control.” Her call outs throw the big punches but it’s the playful lyricism that’ll sweep under you.

Listen to her track on SoundCloud here, mixed by Canadian producer Decz:

 

September 23, 2016 in Album Reviews, Music by

Mic Capes – Concrete Dreams [ALBUM REVIEW]

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Cover photo by Ryan DeReamer

4 years ago, Mic Capes burst onto the Portland rap scene with his debut solo album, Rise & Grind, a gloriously introspective – yet noticeably raw – 18-track project that put the young Portlander’s invincible flow and artistic vision on full auditory display. The iconic project served as a catalyst for hip-hop in the North Portland neighborhood of St. Johns, an area that would soon rival (if not surpass) the traditionally urban but rapidly changing Northeast side of town as the epicenter of PDX’s rap scene.

Many rap artists – especially those of the local variety – struggle to follow up noteworthy freshman projects with effective sequels; the pressure to improve one’s sound quality and commercial viability while staying true to who they are as an artist can be overwhelming. In Mic’s case, Rise & Grind - which is close to double the length of many contemporary rap projects – played through like a epic tale, with a beginning and end, that required no sequel.

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September 23, 2016 in Features, Galleries by

Most Out Here

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It was a stupid crazy month! Check out what I’ve been up to! The beginning of September started with The Thesis. I captured Raquel Divar who rapped her ass off, Lang who always comes with those Rare VIbes, and Mikey Vegaz.

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September 22, 2016 in Music, New, Rain Drops, Video by

The Last Artful, Dodgr – Jelly Hunt [Video]

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I remember about 2 years ago when I first met The Last Artul, Dodgr, before the Record Label Eyrst was formed, before Portland knew who she was .. before anything really. I was with another Portland emcee Epp who told me that this girl was coming over to our place who’s got some pretty dope music. When she arrived I noticed that she was a genuine and humble person straight from the jump. Soon enough we all got to talking (smoking) and she informed me just moved here from California which I thought was very interesting considering a lot of Portland musicians do the opposite. Right then, I knew she was different.

Eventually, it got to the point where I wanted to hear what she had to offer musically and I politely asked her if I could hear some music. So I grabbed my janky iHome and an old auxiliary cord and plugged in her phone. I can honestly say I had no idea what to expect so I just sat there and thoroughly listened and within in 30 seconds of the first track, I had a huge what the f*** moment. My jaw immediately dropped and I was absolutely blown away. I knew from that tiny moment in my garage that Dodgr was going to do something BIG.

I’ve had the opportunity over the last few years to get to know her personally and see her progression sky rocket and I all can say is that it is truly inspiring. Her confidence, stage presence, and delivery has grown tremendously to the point where she is on a completely different level than most rappers in Portland. I remember a few weeks back at the Eyrst One Year Celebration, I pulled her aside and talked about the first time we met comparing it to where everyone is now. I told her she she was going to be the one that opens the gates of Portland hip hop to the industry and she humbly responded, “If I’m lucky, I just want to be one of the many gate keepers because there is too much talent in Portland not to be heard.”

Having said all of that, if you’re not familiar with The Last Artful, Dodgr, it’s time to pay attention.

Check out her latest visual for her single “Jelly Hunt”  below which was produced by Neill Von Tally and shot and directed by the wizard himself TimSlew from Soundlapse Media.

#OutHere

September 21, 2016 in Galleries, Live Music by

The Thesis Photo Recap

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Hopefully by now y’all know I love to put my ladies on, so I was really excited to see a full set from Raquel Divar! Last time she graced the stage she did a quick song on Alia Zin’s set at We Take Holocene…  Let’s just say that Raquel rapped her ass off!

Next up was Lang and Drae Slapz. *ohhhh gawd! Rare Vibes!* Lang always comes with that fire energy and always kills his set, plus Drae holds it down and the 1′s and 2′s.

The headliner, Mikey Vegaz, had a dope set as well and brought on some homies too in Cool Nutz and FliBoiMoe.

I also caught some of our fearless leaders doing their thang, I love my WOHM team!

September 19, 2016 in Music by

ROBy – Cartoon Summers

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This guy ROBy is something else, in a good way. He can turn up on a beat with that wavy, feel good atmosphere; or break down the problems of society into a science like most of the Golden Era artists. Although Cartoon Summers is only considered a summer mixtape aimed to promote his upcoming album, this is probably my favorite project from him thus far.

Before I delve into the specifics of this project, I have to acknowledge the moves Rob has been putting in to put on. The 23 year old South Central native has been all over the Americas with the sounds of Cartoon Summers (CS16) in his company. Appearances in New York, Los Angeles and the Dominican Republic show that his exposure has some serious reach. The last time I heard from him he was still on the road promoting CS16 in Las Vegas.

Last year, ROBy’s debut project, The Red Carpet caught my attention. The 16 track album has an introspective theme that felt emotionally deeper than CS16. This turn up mixtape exceeded my expectations though.

ROBy has a great choice of beats; his lyrical style paints a refreshing picture regardless of the vibe. It’s very rare to see an artist reach into the best of both worlds, and apply his artistry to both sides of Hip-Hop music. His title track, Cartoon Summers is a slapper full of conscious bars with double meanings.

               “It’s either Hilary or Trump, man this s***’s too late,

                and Barack wasn’t lyin’ when he said we’ll see change” 

ROBy is having fun, but he is still aware. There’s no way I can pick a favorite song, but my top two would have to be Cartoon Summers and Get It Man. Both of those songs force your head to move with a disgusted look on your face.

All I can say is that if this mixtape is promoting his upcoming winter album, I’m anxious to hear more. ROBy’s vision has placed him up with the front runners of Portland in my book. Be on the lookout for more, and study up on his music in the mean time. Listen to Cartoon Summers below.

September 9, 2016 in Music, Rain Drops by

Load B – Underground

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While we’re listening to turn up music, I should probably mention that Milc & Brill - otherwise known as Load B – dropped a new gem this week and it’s hella worth it.

The grit and the gruff trade wild verses over a grimy industrial beat that’ll haunt you, and that’s OK because you can always just play it again. Definitely one of my favorite tracks of the week. Be sure to Czech out the latest from NEP’s Load B.

September 9, 2016 in Music, WOHM Premiere by

Slightly Flagrant – All I Know

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If you hadn’t heard of Seattle duo Slightly Flagrant, you’re not alone, but you may want to correct that. I was just recently put on to the energetic Seattle duo and I must say they are very out here. Consisting of rappers Kwabe Macn Taj and Taane JR, Slightly Flagrant dropped a self-titled album in January and decided to boost their single, All I Know, with a saucy new video from Jacob Hill.

We Out Here Magazine is proud to present the video premiere of All I Know. The high-energy party track bounces with an infectious hook and ignorantly fantastic verses that’ll make your jaw drop. Meanwhile the animated visuals capture the duo in their debaucherous element. If you’re fan of Nacho Picasso, ILLFIGHTYOU or Load B, you’ll love Slightly Flagrant. Check it out!

#OutHere

September 2, 2016 in 10 THINGS, Editorials by

10 Things: Unmissable Artists at Bumbershoot 2016

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This year’s Seattle Center music festival marks my second rodeo, but there are still many firsts to be had.

Today, Seattle’s gargantuan end-of-Summer music fest kicks off, and just like last time I’m in disbelief of all the high quality live music I get to witness. I didn’t think that Bumbershoot 2016 could come close to matching the lineup they had last year; it included The Weeknd, Jhene Aiko, Chance the Rapper, Kehlani, Ben Harper, Raz Simone, Hozier, and Dave B to name quite a few. If this year is anything like last time, I know I’ll be impressed—perhaps even mind-blown—by the talented performers that are coming through, and it’s likely I’ll even stumble upon a couple unexpected gems along the way. Even though it can be painfully difficult to stick to a plan with these festivals, here’s 10 acts I’m planning my Bumbershoot weekend around:

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August 31, 2016 in Live Music, Music, Video by

The THESIS XXII: Mikey Vegaz & FliBoiMoe, Raquel Divar, Lang & Drae Slapz, and Verbz

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At The THESIS we support all types of hip-hop, and gangsta rap is no exception. Sometimes we call them “urban” or “street” when we don’t want to bring attention to the rappers the square world might consider “gangsta,” a term that honestly sounds ridiculous here in 2016, but everyone knows what we mean.

My little brother Hanif and I have an interesting habit of dropping uncomfortable ideas on one another and leaving the other to think about it and embrace that idea on our own; I call it planting seeds. He once told me, during a debate, that gangsta rap is conscious rap. The idea was so preposterous that I literally ignored it, but the more I thought about it later, the more the statement made sense.

Think about it. When someone tells of their experience living a lifestyle dissimilar to yours in a manner that puts you in their shoes, allowing you to not just understand but actually come to the same logical conclusions given the constrictions hindering and opportunities presented to the storyteller, that’s allowing you to experience their consciousness. When a rapper can take you through their world, authentically, and show you the pitfalls and dangers of their worlds, that’s conscious rap in a nutshell. And who better to lead that quest than those from the darkest corners?

Mikey

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