.:The Solution w/ DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez:.

Friday, 11/16 in Los Angeles -> The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez x Do It! w/DJ Expo & DJ SeanO!!! Two renowned parties, all sorts of good music & lots more at The Short Stop!

Catch The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez out in LA, making the most of our first Friday “off” in years!!! We’ll be teaming up with LA favorites DJ Expo & SeanO for an extra special Solution collab with their renowned party Do It! at The Short Stop (1455 Sunset Blvd)!!! Complimentary Solution pins or patches for the first 25 folks out to the party…

Tags: DJ Expo, DJ Lazy Eyez, DJ Low Key, DJ SeanO, Do It!, Lazy Eyez, The Short Stop, The Solution, The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez

Saturday, 3/21 at 3pm in Austin -> The Solution Rap Fan Showcase w/Fashawn, Exile & Choosey (of Dirty Science), Statik Selektah, Dee-1, Tef Poe, Tanya Morgan, Black Spade, Iman Omari & a whole lot more at La Barbecue! World renowned BBQ, free beer all day, giveaways from Akomplice & more during SXSW Music!!!

P.S. More info coming soon, but check the crazy dope lineup! Details for Austin Goodness, which takes places on Saturday 3/21 from 11am-5pm and features a RIDICULOUS lineup of DJs from all over the country, coming soon!!! Go ahead and save all of 3/21 for insanely good music, even better BBQ and free beer the whole day at La Barbecue…

Tags: Akomplice, Akomplice Clothing, DJ Low Key, DJ Trackstar, La Barbecue, Rap Fan, SXSW 2015, The Smoking Section, The Solution Showcase, The SX Solution Showcase

Flashback: 2014 SX Solution Showcase & Austin Goodness at La Barbecue recap, complete with video, pics & quotes from the featured artists!!!

Time flies. Last year’s SX704 Solution Showcase at La Barbecue seems like just yesterday and that still seems awesomely surreal (from DJing for the Pharcyce to the crazy dope lineup to the unbelievably great food), so when the opportunity to throw a whole day’s worth of events came up this year, it was no-brainer. And so me and some friends (primarily France, DJ Trackstar & Dayta), set out to program twelve hours worth of Saturday fun at the biggest music festival in the country, bringing a mix of both Goodness & The Solution type flavor to the acclaimed BBQ spot. When everything was said and done on the morning of 3/15, the lineup was stacked with ridiculously talented MCs, DJs, singers and producers from all over the country and looked like this:

Extra stacked lineup, busiest day of SXSW and we were greeted by rain and fog on the morning of the event; not ideal at all. Regardless, we trudged through, set up tents over the turntables and stage and not too long after things got going, with the spot packing out quickly as Austin Goodness started with sounds from some of the best DJs in the country. From there, the weather cleared up, things somehow ran (mostly) according to schedule, despite a short break for a blown mixing board (which somehow got replaced in an under an hour, I credit good musical karma) and when the event wrapped up shortly after midnight, well over 30 top notch acts from NY to LA to Saint Louis to Denver and more had performed for hundreds of people.

Choosey & Exile rocking at The 2014 SX Solution Showcase via NBC San Diego

CRL CRRLL’s awesome recap of his SXSW & the party

Over the course of the day, I met a ton of ton of new people and the main thing they said was that the event had one of the purest, best vibes they saw all week and that the day carried on the classic SXSW tradition of independent artists and musical discovery (I was even put on to some new favorites at my own event…LOL). To me and everybody involved that’s what it’s all about and we couldn’t be happier with how things turned out, especially when the overwhelming sentiment of SXSW 2014 is that it’s become too commercialized for its own good. With that said, see what the artists involved had to say about the event and check out pics of the day below (as well as even more pics here):

“The Austin Goodness party had the best vibes all week. Oh, and the best BBQ!” – DJ Sober (Dallas / Black Milk’s DJ)

“Epic…Inspiring…Great feeling to be around so many great DJs Goodness, grooving, and [I] loved the crowd’s reception of us” – DJ Dozen (Denver)

“Goodness, the best way I could spend digesting the best food in Austin.” DJ Expo (Los Angeles)

“Amazing group of musicians playing records in the rain is the best way to start off SXSW at the Austin Goodness…Don’t forget the coleslaw!” – DJ Clockwork (Los Angeles / Mac Miller’s DJ)

“Good eats, good beats and vibes” – Dayta (Houston)

Deejay Theory (San Francisco)

“It was really nice to walk up to a fully relaxed situation with all of the craziness I had been experiencing before that day at SXSW. Turning left instead of turning up is just what I needed after playing intense party set one after another. Vibe at The [Austin] Goodness was on point and very welcoming. 5 stars.” – DJ A-Minor (Charlotte, NC)

“The show was dope. Good food and good performances. I got to see folks I never heard of killing it.” – YC The Cynic (New York)

“The SXSW Solution Showcase with DJ Low Key is good people, good music and good food = a great time” – Exile (Los Angeles)

“I had a ball rocking at The SX Solution Showcase with my Dirty Science brethren. The food and the talent on the bill were top notch!! I’m already looking forward to next year’s bill! – Johaz of Dag Savage (Los Angeles)

“Between Goodness & The SX Solution, there was only one place you needed to be on Saturday at SXSW, La Barbecue. Great vibes, fantastic music and amazing food.” – Donwill of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“Goodness & The SX Solution Showcase were like a marathon of hot shit. The original purpose of SXSW, at its best, in one location.” – Von Pea of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“”SXSW is always dope cuz it’s like Mardi Gras in Austin a whole week. Mobbin’ all over the city running into other artists & fans from all over the country, rocking for new fans. The SX Solution Showcase was especially dope cuz everybody who performed not only killed it, but showed love to everybody else who rocked.” – Ness of Weekend Money (New York)

“I was honored to be there. My city was turned. God Bless you [DJ Low Key] for giving me a shot!! We just wanted to show and prove.” – Tef Poe (St. Louis)

“The event was the highlight of the week as far as shows are concerned, we had the opportunity to perform at four shows during SXSW and the La Barbecue show was the best one; most responsive crowd, best sound system, best food lol I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as well as all of the other acts I witnessed while I was out there. Also, much appreciation to DJ Low Key for showing STL love, it was great to see so many of my homies whom I feel are the best representatives of what dope music from STL sounds like, all on one bill, all down in SXSW, it was just a good feeling, and I appreciate that.” – Nick Menn (St. Louis)

“The SXSW Solution Showcase was my most important experience this year. It was a grand opportunity to perform new music and connect with fans and friends alike. Thanks for having me Low Key.” – Theophilus Martins (Los Angeles)

“Good music, good people, good food & beer. Felt like I was rocking in my family’s backyard” – Yonas Michael (Los Angeles)

“The SX Solution Showcase was an unbelievable experience! The opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of new faces froma cross the U.S. for the time, in addition to Statik Selektah, Dee Woods (of Danity Kane fame) and Tanya Morgan was beyond awesome and very motivational.” – Slangston Hughes (New Orleans)

“I got put on to a lot of acts I’d never heard of and a lot of people got put on to me. I heard a lot of people complaining about how SWSX is so corporate now, but the big, overhyped shows were easy to ignore. I spent most of my time at smaller showcases like The Solution jawn. The food at La Barbecue was so good I couldn’t eat any meat for a week after I left Austin and now almost a month later I’ve just begun eating beef again. I knew I wouldn’t find anything comparable in NY.” – Spec Boogie (New York)

“Hyped up parties and sold out shows and The SX Solution Showcase was one of the biggest highlights of my SXSW. Not only was there good food at SX Solution Showcase, but it got so hype later that night the almost broke some tables. Low Key put on one of the most unique events I visited in Austin and I got to see some pretty amazing ish! Here’s to The SX Solution Showcase!” – CRL CRRLL (Denver)

“The SX Solution Showcase was great opportunity for us to network, everybody was there!” – Travii of Bodega Brovas (Dallas)

“One of my favorite memories from this year’s SXSW was rocking at The Solution Showcase at La Barbecue. Got to meet a lot of great people and the food was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Huge shout out DJ Low Key for making it happen.” – Catch Lungs (Denver)

“The [SX] Solution Showcase at La Barbecue was amazing. I had the opportunity to party with people that I’ve never met. I knew that they would dig me because they dig Low Key. The pulled pork sand which was off the chain too! ” – Turner Jackson (Denver)

“Family Affair’s experience with DJ Low Key at SXSW was everything that you could imagine as a upcoming artist. We were treated with the utmost respect even when our personal DJ was under the weather for show time. DJ Low Key without any hesitation assisted F.A with our show. The beer was unlimited it seemed like and the food was phenomenal! What I noticed different is that after every performance there was somebody ready to give them a hot plate of bbq as they exited the stage. We had our crew with us and we enjoyed ourselves so much we just stayed at the event almost til closing. As a band member we always pride ourselves on how the venues cater to our product and I can say this was one of the most humbling events with so much talent on one roster. Family Affair is looking forward to next years event without a doubt.” – Repp of Family Affair (St. Louis)

MC Tree (Chicago)

Boonie Mayfield & Audiopium (Colorado)

Ken Rebel (New York)

Black Spade (St Louis)

Me, celebrating an unforgettable event with some magically delicious ribs the next day.

HUGE shouts to everyone who came out, all the artists involved, La Barbecue’s amazing staff, Chisum aka The Archduke of Austin, Eric “France” Maitrepierre, Dayta, DJ Trackstar, Potholes In My Blog, Upslope Brewing Company, Acrylick, Akomplice, Leann Mueller Photography, Lone Star Beer, & whoever else I’m sure I’m forgetting! See y’all at SXSW 2015!!! – DJ Low Key

Tags: Acrylick, Audiopium, Austin, Black Spade, Boonie Mayfield, Catch Lungs, Choosey, CRL CRRLL, Dag Savage, Dayta, Deejay Theory, Dirty Science, DJ A-Minor, DJ Clockwork, DJ Dozen, DJ Expo, DJ Low Key, DJ Sober, Exile, Family Affair, Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends, Ken Rebel, La Barbecue, Leann Mueller, Leann Mueller Photography, Nick Menn, Potholes In My Blog, Spec Boogie, SX704 Solution Showcase, Tanya Morgan, Theophilus Martins, Tree, Weekend Money, YC The Cynic, Yonas Michael

CRL CRRLL recaps his SXSW & The 2014 SX Solution Showcase is a big part of it…Check it out!!!

Forever overachieving, super promising Denver singer/songwriter/producer CRL CRRLL just posted a great recap of his 2014 SXSW experiences and a lot of it focuses on his time and performance at The 2014 SX Solution Showcase/Austin Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends, as well as footage of Exile, Tef Poe, Black Spade, YC The Cynic, Tanya Morgan & more. Take a couple of minutes to check it out and stay tuned for a full recap of last month’s SXSW events, coming real soon!

P.S. Be on the lookout for CRL CRRLL’s new jam “Cheers” from The Solution Tape #2, coming this Summer!!!

Tags: Austin Goodness, CRL CRRLL, Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends, The 2014 SX Solution Showcase, The Solution, The SX Solution Showcase

Flashback: 2013 SX704 Solution Showcase Recap…We teamed up with one of Austin’s best BBQ spots and some of our favorites acts out for our first ever showcase during SXSW!!!

Austin during SXSW.  The undisputed heavyweight champ of music festivals in the US and one of the coolest cities in the country year round.  Having been down to play at the festival for the last six years, it had become a goal of mine to throw a SXSW version of The Solution with the countless greats acts I know who attend every year, but that’s a little easier than said than done with countless brands, promoters, artists, labels and such scouring the city for unique venues and locking them down well in advance of the festival.

And while this year SXSW continued to grow at a frantic pace, with venues scarcer than ever, we were able to team up with infamously delicious BBQ haven, La Barbecue, the Austin Nomad and one of our favorite music sites, PotholesInMyBlog.com, to create the inaugural SX704 Solution Showcase.  One (somewhat major) catch though, we only had about a week’s notice to put together the whole event (and to make matters worse, I was in Los Angeles for some DJ gigs when I got word).  Never one to back down from a challenge or great opportunity, my week in LA was quickly taken over by SXSW prep work and a flurry of phones calls.

Over the next few days, me, DJ Trackstar (aka Killer Mike’s DJ) & our friend France (aka Eric Maitrepierre) started working out logistics and details and within no time, we’d put together a lineup that rivaled bigger corporate events, but strictly through our relationships in music and reputations.  When everything was said and done, the acclaimed lineup, with ridiculous talent from all over the country, looked like this:

Spree Wilson & Go Dreamer (ATL)
BLKHRTS (Denver)
Yonas Michael (LA)
Black Spade (St. Louis)
Tef Poe (St. Louis)
Family Affair (St. Louis)
Denniro Ferrar (NC) & BK Beats (Albuquerque)
Ness/Weekend Money (Brooklyn)
Trackstar The DJ (ATL)
SL Jones (ATL)
Uzoy (Houston)
Rich Kidd (Toronto)
&
THE PHARCYDE (LA)

And so, on the afternoon of March 14th, 2013, hundreds of people crossed the bridge from downtown Austin over to South 1st St for the inaugural SX704 Solution, where they were treated to some of the best acts in hip hop, free Lone Star beer and some of the best BBQ in all of Texas (no exaggeration, check out the rave reviews about La Barbecue here, here and here).  Better yet, we were able to set everything up as a free event, with no official SXSW wristband requirements and a refreshing vibe that offered a welcomed contrast to the drunken zombies wandering through 6th St.

With rap legends The Pharcyde and up and coming Dungeon Family affiliate Spree Wilson closing out the day, we packed a ridiculous amount of talent into our four hour showcase and left everyone with some great experiences, new favorite acts and a belly full of rave-worthy BBQ.  As if that wasn’t enough, the party was free to get into, didn’t’t require an RSVP, wristband or any of that hassle and had free beer to compliment the incredible BBQ, plus a complimentary photo booth, courtesy of Austin Nomad Photography.

A few days later, La Barbecue made sure I left Austin with an enormous freeze-dried brisket and asked us back for 2014, setting the stage for another, bigger & better event, especially based on what we did in one week in March.

Last but definitely not least, extra special shouts to everyone who helped make the event such a success: Leann & everyone at La Barbecue, Chisum at Austin Nomad Photography, France aka Eric Maitrepierre, DJ Trackstar, David & Potholes in My Blog, Sean, Greg & The Pharcyde, Yeti Frozen Custard and all the artists that came through and rocked! – DJ Low Key

1502 S. 1st St (that’s South First Street, not downtown, but close; check out the map below for directions).

Austin hip hop legend DJ Nick Nack on La Barbecue: “It’s the best brisket in Austin”

Tags: BK Beats, Black Spade, BLKHRTS, Denniro Ferrar, DJ Low Key, DJ Trackstar, Family Affair, France, Go Dreamer, La Barbecue, Ness, Rich Kidd, SL Jones, Spree Wilson, SX704, SXSW, Tef Poe, The Austin Nomad, The Pharcyde, The Solution Showcase, Trackstar The DJ, Uzoy, Weekend Money, Yonas Michael

Thursday, 3/14 in Austin -> SX704 Solution Showcase w/The Pharcyde, Spree Wilson & Go Dreamer, BLKHRTS, Yonas Michael, SL Jones, Black Spade, Rich Kidd, El Prez, Tef Poe, Uzoy, BK Beats, Family Affair & more at La Barbecue…Hosted by DJ Low Key & Trackstar The DJ, shouts to Potholes in My Blog…

THURSDAY, 3/14 at noon -> It’s been on our wishlist for a minute and now we’re super excited to announce The Solution’s first trip to Austin, just in time for SXSW.  With a perfect storm of luck, hustle and talented friends, we’ve put together a great showcase of top notch artists, with one of our favorite music sites, PotholesInMyBlog.com, at our favorite BBQ spot in Texas, La Barbecue (formerly J Mueller’s BBQ, as seen on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations).  Solution co-founder DJ Low Key will be the party’s host/part-time house DJ and the show’s lineup just keeps getting better by the minute.  Here’s the announced lineup for the #SX704Solution Showcase Brew & Q so far, but trust, we’ve still got a few tricks up our sleeve:

Spree Wilson (ATL)

BLKHRTS (Denver)

Yonas Michael (LA)

Black Spade (St. Louis)

El Prez (LA)

Tef Poe (St. Louis)

Family Affair (St. Louis)

BK Beats (Albuquerque)

Trackstar The DJ (ATL/St. Louis)

JUST ADDED:

SL Jones (ATL)

Uzoy (Houston)

Go Dreamer (ATL)

Rich Kidd (Toronto)

&

THE PHARCYDE

As if that wasn’t enough, the party is free to get into, doesn’t require an RSVP, wristband or any of that hassle and we’ll have free beer (while supplies last) to compliment the incredible BBQ, plus a complimentary photo booth, courtesy of the Austin Nomad!!!  Stay tuned for more info on the event at PotholesInMyBlog.com, DenverSolution.com & at djlowkey.com. UPDATE: Our new friends at Yeti Frozen Custard will also be giving out free naked yetis from noon to 1pm! All Ages / 12-4pm / 1502 S. 1st St (that’s South First Street, not downtown, but close; check out the map below for directions).

#SX704Solution

Austin hip hop legend DJ Nick Nack on La Barbecue: “It’s the best brisket in Austin”

Friday, 3/9 in Houston -> Good Good Fridays x The Solution w/DJ Klinch, Dayta & DJ Low Key at The Flat…

FRIDAY, 3/9 in Houston -> Yes, Houston.  We’re excited to be combining forces with acclaimed Houston party Good Good Fridays for our first event outside of Colorado.  Catch The Solution in the land of lean for some Good Good Fridays x The Solution w/DJ Klinch, Dayta & DJ Low Key fun at The Flat (1701 Commonwealth).  With it being March 9th, we’ll be rocking Biggie extra heavy (no pun intended) and I’ll be bringing down some mixtapes to giveaway.  21+ /// No Cover /// Music at 10 pm /// Never a dress code.

Tags: Dayta, DJ Klinch, DJ Low Key, Good Good Fridays, The FLat, The Solution Travels

The Ahead of the Class CO Tour w/Tanya Morgan, TiRon, Whygee, King F.O.E., DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guests…

The Solution, Akomplice & Snowboard Mag present the Ahead of the Class CO Tour w/Tanya Morgan, TiRon, Whygee, King F.O.E., DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guests…

Wednesday, 3/9 -> Cecilia’s in Breckenridge (520 S. Main Street) – Doors at 9 /// $10 for 21+

Thursday, 3/10 -> Black Sheep in Colorado Springs (2106 E. Platte Ave) – Doors at 8 /// $10 for 21/$12 for all ages /// Plus special guests The Boombox Saints for their official album release party and the debut performance of Play Cousin (Boonie Mayfield & Jordan Craft). Buy tickets now.

Saturday, 3/12 -> The Marquis in Denver (2009 Larimer St) – Doors at 9 /// $10 for 21/$12 for all ages /// Plus an Akomplice Fashion Show and the Denver debut of Play Cousin (Boonie Mayfield & Jordan Craft). Buy tickets now /// Tickets also available at Family Affair (21st & Larimer downtown) or from DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez or Whygee with no ticket fees.

Tuesday, 3/15 -> Round Midnight in Boulder (1005 Pearl Street) – Doors at 9 /// $5 before 11, $10 after for 21+ /// Plus an Akomplice Fashion Show and special guest, world renowned turntablist DJ Vajra.

.:Download The Ahead of the Class Tour Sampler (right click on a PC):.

Stay tuned for more videos and free MP3s as we get closer to the tour and make sure to cop your pre-sale tickets, some shows will sell out!!!  Also, you can follow everyone from the tour on twitter by checking out this list.   Last but not least, here’s some words, video & music to help get you familiar with the tour’s lineup:

“Quietly and stealthily, they’ve evolved into one of the finest groups of their generation” – The L.A. Times on Tanya Morgan

“TiRon isn’t your average rapper, he’s something more” – XXL Magazine on TiRon

“With all due respect to Talib and Hi-Tek, I’m actually more inclined to revisit team Tanya’s likeably loose, bordering-on-sloppy inaugural effort than said ballyhooed backpack-crowd classic.” – Chairman Mao of XXL Chairman’s Choice & Ego Trip

“Los Angeles’ Best Rapper” – The L.A. Times on TiRon

“Tanya Morgan are like the sons of De La Soul– soulful, stressed, effortlessly smart flows, intricate production, the whole package.” – SPIN Music Editor Charles Aaron on Tanya Morgan

“My personal favorite” mixtape of 2009 – Shake of 2Dopeboyz.com on TiRon & DJ Low Key’s Ketchup

“”Tanya Morgan is bolder and braver than forbearers like Black Star and Slum Village…an expansive tour de force” – Vibe.com on Tanya Morgan

“Best emcee-based mixtape of 2009” – PopularLemonade.com on TiRon & DJ Low Key’s Ketchup

“The trio’s savory Bridge EP demonstrates why Tanya Morgan has been a critical favorite for the last several years. Their deliveries are effortless, their beats run the gamut from smooth to boom-bappy, and their music has an inspiring vibe.” – The Source

Free MP3 Downloads (Round 1):

.:Tanya Morgan presents Donwill & Von Pea – The Sandwich Shop:.

.:TiRon – MSTRD:.

.:Whygee & Sounds Supreme – Hype Killz Volume 1:.

Free MP3 Downloads (Round 2):

.:DJ Soul presents Tanya Morgan Is A Rap Group:.

.:TiRon – Ketchup (mixed by DJ Low Key):.

.:King F.O.E. – Fuck F.O.E. + Bonus: It Sucks To be You:.

Tags: Black Sheep, Boonie Mayfield, Cecilia's, DJ Low Key, Family Affair, King F.O.E., Lazy Eyez, Play Cousin, Round Midnight, Tanya Morgan, The Ahead of the Class Tour, The Marquis, TiRon, Whygee