On the first Thursday of every month, We Out Here Magazine and XRAY.FM team to bring you #TheTHESIS, a concert series that features the best and brightest that Portland – and the NW – have to offer. This Thursday will be no different as the popular monthly event will serve as a homecoming of sorts for the enigmatic recording artist known as Cassow. It’ll be a special night at Kelly’s for sure; Portland-based Almaic Brand will be in the house showing off new designs as Verbz spins the latest and greatest in preparation of, and throughout, a terrific line-up.
Up-and-coming Portland band Tribe Mars will open the show with the distinction of being the first band to play TheTHESIS. These guys are the real deal. A true Portland underground gem that Janessa put me onto, the genre-bending quintet features keys, drums, guitar, bass and a trumpeting singer/MC who sometimes let’s his music friends crash on his coach. The crew blends improvisational music forms such as hip-hop, jazz and soul wonderfully, pulling listeners in with their heartfelt tones, but they describe themselves as “a guerrilla faction of freedom fighters combating tyranny and systemic oppression with music and values inherited from wise Martian elders.” Which – I mean – is also pretty awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHAYSN4YGpY
ROBy (previously known as Yung Rob) made waves with his latest project, Red Carpet, before taking to YouTube with his on-the-road shenanigans. The dread-headed rapper brings a rare energy to his polished show with well-known KPSU DJ, Rockwell. Just 22 years old, ROBy can rap with the best of ’em, is headlining his own shows and is putting out high quality music while being a strong supporter of the local rap scene. The talented lyricist seems to be in the zone lately and we’re excited to see the red-hot rapper turn up.
Portland native Cassow spent the last year in LA, putting out a hella wavy project and swagging on Instagram. But the GOtY leader is back in town for the foreseeable future – “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere but here in my city where I grew up,” he told me – and tonight’s show will be his first return to a PDX stage. Since his 2010 drop, Mixtape To Mars, Cassow has been a factor in the local rap scene. Fan votes vaulted the emotionally charismatic rapper into the 2013 Freshest In The Northwest discussion following his 4th project, the ever popular Cold Winter (make sure you listen to Oh Lord featuring Danny Brown!), he dropped one of the best videos of 2014 (see below), and his mystique has only continued to grow. With a large local following, the homecoming of Cassow is guaranteed to be LIT.
We work hard to bring hip-hop fans from all walks of life the best line-ups, and most fun experiences, and we appreciate you guys for coming out and spreading the word. Tonight’s going to be as fun as ever! Come listen to fresh music, dance a little, drink a bit, catch up with the homies and maybe even do some shopping. Doors at 9, and our last two shows have sold out so get there early if you can. You won’t want to miss this unique and explosive line-up!
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