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

Saturday, 6/18 -> The Solution Showcase #17 w/The Lessondary (Tanya Morgan, Che Grand, Elucid & Rob Cave fka Spec Boogie), Russell Grande & Delasean, Rhyme Progression, DJ Dozen & DJ Low Key at The Walnut Room!!! Download/stream The Lessondary & DJ Low Key’s new Never 2ndary mixtape to get more familiar before the show!

SATURDAY, 6/18 -> After years in the making, not only is hip hop supergroup The Lessondary finally dropping an album (Ahead Of Schedule, coming on 6/24), but they’re coming to Denver!!! Donwill & Von Pea (aka Tanya Morgan), Che Grand, Elucid and Rob Cave (formerly known as Spec Boogie) are invading The Walnut Room for what should be a great mix of their solo work, collabs from over the years and unreleased joints from the upcoming album. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll be joined by rising Denver phenoms Russell Grande & Delasean, winner of the 2014 Solution Beat Battle Rhyme Progression, longtime Solution favorite DJ Dozen and Solution co-founder DJ Low Key for what promises to be a stacked bill. Things kick off at 9pm, IG @KnowerOfTheLedge will be on photo duty, we’ve got complimentary limited edition Solution patches for the first 25 people and The Walnut Room serves food late. Should be a RIDICULOUS night, get your $8 pre-sale tickets HERE!

.:Limited $8 pre-sale tickets to The Solution Showcase #17 w/The Lessondary:.

Before the show, get more familiar with The Lessondary, on their new mixtape Never 2ndary, mixed by The Solution’s own DJ Low Key. The crew consists of Tanya Morgan (Donwill & Von Pea), Ilyas, Che Grand, Elucid, Jermiside, Brickbeats, Aeon & Rob Cave fka Spec Boogie and is one of the deepest out. Maybe you’ve caught them on each other’s projects over the years or maybe you’ve seen us post something about the crew over the years, but right now, sit back and get familiar with The Lessondary crew before they drop their long-awaited Ahead Of Schedule album on 6/24/16 via HipNott Records.

.:The Lessondary & DJ Low Key – Never 2ndary (stream/download):.

1. Tanya Morgan feat. The Lessondary – Never 2ndary
2. Donwill – I Know Those Guys Intro
3. Von Pea & The Other Guys feat. The Lessondary – Connect Four aka Lessondary >>>
4. Spec Boogie feat. The Lessondary – Show Up Drunk
5. DJ Chong Wizard feat. The Lessondary – Check The Rhyme
6. Donwill feat. The Lessondary – Championship Vinyl
7. Che Grand feat. Tanya Morgan – People Bowling
8. The Red Giants feat. The Lessondary – Never Seen A Thing
9. Che Grand feat. Spec Boogie & Tanya Morgan – Lessondary Busy
10. Jermiside feat. Donwill & Spec Boogie – The Cookout
11. Tanya Morgan feat. Jermiside & Spec Boogie – Borrow That (Boogie’s Revenge Mix)
12. The Lessondary – Faded
13. Von Pea, Donwill & Che Grand – Live N!ggas Only
14. The Lessondary – BANG!
15. Spec Boogie feat. Tanya Morgan – Dinette Set
16. Che Grand feat. Spec Boogie & Tanya Morgan – Star (Pimps In Canada)
17. Spec Boogie feat. Tanya Morgan – Poison Clan
18. Donwill & Dash Speaks feat. Spec Boogie & I-El – Side Down
19. The Lessondary – Lessondary Nose
20. Jermiside – Fantastical Outro
21. Von Pea feat. Jermiside, Ilyas & Spec Boogie – Dreams

.:The Lessondary & DJ Low Key – Never 2ndary (downloadable zip):.

Tags: Che Grand, Delasean, DJ Dozen, DJ Low Key, Donwill, Elucid, Rhyme Progression, Rob Cave, Russell Grande, Spec Boogie, Tanya Morgan, The Lessondary, The Solution Showcase, The Walnut Room, Von Pea

The Solution Beat Battle and DJ Low Key on Boonie Mayfield’s Boon Documented series…

We were excited to see that our friend and insanely talented producer Boonie Mayfield featured lots of footage from the Solution Beat Battle, some bits with Solution co-founder DJ Low Key and a studio session with Che Grand (our guest for The Soluton Showcase #4, song coming late Summer/early Fall) on his latest episode of Boon Documented (Do It Live:Episode 3).  We think the show is top notch, take a quick look and if you dig it, make sure you check out more episodes of Boon Documented here, as well as Boonie’s debut project from last year, Black Koolaid.

Tags: Boon Doc, Boon Documented, Boonie Mayfield, Che Grand, DJ Low Key, The Solution Beat Battle

Meet Che Grand (Brooklyn /// Lessondary), our featured out of town artist for The Solution Showcase #4 on 3/24…

Above: Che Grand “Girls Talk” video from his debut album Everything’s Good Ugly (stream it here) /// Below: Che Grand performing live with former Solution guests Blu & Exile in NYC

We hope you already know about Brooklyn’s Che Grand.  He’s one of our favorite MCs out; maybe you’ve heard him rocking with Tanya Morgan, Skyzoo or Jay Electronica (Kanye liked their joint enough to post it on his old blog) or maybe you heard him on The Fixtape & The Fixtape Two:In It For The Drink Ticket (both mixed by The Solution’s own DJ Low Key) or maybe you heard his RIDICULOUS Solution anthem last year,  “Salute (The Solution)”, which he wrote after a few years of being a regular guest performer at The Solution’s Annual Lessondary Birthday Extravaganza.  If you’re not familiar, even better; you’re about to be introduced to one of your favorite new rappers.  Check out the video clips and downloads in this post to get familiar with Che Grand before he headlines The Solution Showcase #4 on 3/24 and hear the music that caught the attention of artists like Kanye West, Jay Electronica, Tanya Morgan, Illmind and others.

.:Che Grand & DJ Low Key – The Fixtape Two: In It For The Drink Ticket (tracked version):. /// (untracked/podcast version)

.:Che Grand & DJ Low Key – Limited Edition:The Fixtape (tracked version):. /// (untracked/podcast version)

Above: Tanya Morgan feat. Che Grand “Headphone Rock” video /// Below: Donny Goines feat. Che Grand & Izza Kizza “She Likes” video /// Bottom: Tanya Morgan, Che Grand, Skyzoo & King Mez “Without Hands” video

.:Download Che Grand’s latest project, ZFTP 8:Uche The Great:.

Catch Che Grand rocking along with 1984 (aka The Solution Beat Battle runner-up Big J Beats & Marky Bias), Dealz Makes Beats, DJ Low Key and Lazy Eyez at The Solution Showcase #4 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  Stay tuned to @DenverSolution for more info, a chance to win free tickets & more.  21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown (plus get 15% your entire purchase when you buy a Solution Showcase ticket) /// $8 at the door.

Tags: Che Grand, lessondary, The Solution Showcase

Saturday, 3/24 -> The Solution Showcase #4 w/Che Grand (Brooklyn /// Lessondary), 1984 (Big J Beats & Marky Bias), Dealz Makes Beats, DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & more at The Meadowlark…

SATURDAY, 3/24 -> It’s about time for The Solution Showcase #4 and the lineup is ridiculous. We’ve got one of Brooklyn’s finest, Che Grand (Brooklyn /// Lessondary), Solution beat battle runner up Big J Beats & Marky Bias aka 1984, MPC boss Dealz Makes Beats, and 2/3rds of The Solution DJs, DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at The Meadowlark (2701 Larimer). Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with someone on the bill, just trust that your favorite DJs aren’t gonna steer you wrong (a big part of The Solution Showcase is about discovering dope new music and people have been digging it). So head over to DenverSolution.com to learn more about the performers and hopefully we’ll see you out for the party! 21+ /// $5 Pre-sales available at Family Affair downtown & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 9.

Tags: 1984, Che Grand, Dealz Makes Beats, Marky Bias, The Solution Showcase

Solution news coming soon…In the meantime, here’s what DJ Low Key & Lazy have been up to…

It’s been a minute since the last few Solution events (our annual Dilla tribute & our first CO tour), so we wanted to check in to let you know that me (DJ Low Key) & Lazy Eyez have been far from lazy with the party between venues.  Below is some info on recent and upcoming events that me & Lazy have been involved with, besides working on a proper long term home for the Solution. And oh yeah, now’s probably not a bad time to remind you to check out the DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez mixtape sections above either, please don’t be sleeping on those.  Last but not least, be on the lookout for some Ahead of the Class tour footage featuring Tanya Morgan to pop up soon, as well as info on our 5th Annual Chicken & Waffles/West Coast Party:

I’ve had a ridiculously busy last month or so, especially with the Solution being between venues.  It went Ahead of the Class Tour, Dilla tribute, RBMA events with the Foreign Exchange, a week in Austin for SXSW, the launch of Connected at Hai Bar, Thre3 Style Boulder & more Red Bull Music Academy work (plus, Thre3 Style Houston next week, it never stops!!!).  Here’s some more info on all that:

EVERY SUNDAY -> I’m excited to announce that you can catch Connected w/DJ Low Key every Sunday night from 8:30-11:30 at the Hai Bar (downstairs at Sushi Hai, 32nd & Lowell in the Highlands).   The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive all across the board; a bunch of regulars from my previous Sunday night unanimously said the venue was an upgrade, as was the sound quality, food & happy hour menu size.  Speaking of the happy hour, that was $2 nigiri, $4 rolls & $5 appetizers + $3 small sake, $5 large sake, $3 beers, $6 wines & more the whole time I’m DJing.  And in case you can’t tell from the picture above, I’ll be spinning the best in soul, R&B and other feel good music.  There’s no better way to wrap up your weekend, trust.  Last but not least, I’m working on a nice variety of special events for the night, so stay tuned to this site and twitter.com/djlowkey for more info on that too.  No cover /// 21+ /// SushiHai.com for more on the food/drinks/venue.

Speaking of Connected, that’s Foreign Exchange’s first albums title, and last month I opened for the Grammy-nominated band and helped organize their Denver debut at Summit Music Hall.  The audio from the show is now available on RBMARadio.com and I HIGHLY recommend you check the recording of their performance, it was an instant classic in my humble opinion and one of their best shows in the group’s own words:

.:The Foreign Exchange – On The Floor! – Live at Summit Music Hall, Denver – Pt 1:.

.:The Foreign Exchange – On The Floor! – Live at Summit Music Hall, Denver – Pt 2:.

Lazy’s been super busy organizing the Denver DMCs, the legendary turntablist battle.  It’s basically a full time job in itself as he’s coordinating the main event, the DJ battle (set to feature such CO-based international heavyweights as DJ Vajra, Cysko Rokwel & the 4 other 2010 US DMC finalists from CO), as well a b-boy battle, MC battle (which I’ll be DJing, that’s about the extent of where I fit into the DMCs…LOL) and a whole lot more.  Check out Lazy’s post below for more info on the event.

From DJLazyEyez.com:  This year’s Colorado DMC DJ Battle is going to be the best one yet. DJ ROB SWIFT will be here showcasing and judging at the DMC!! In addition, there will also be an MC Battle, 2 on 2 BBoy Battle, performances from Manerok & Deejay Tense, Boombox Saints, and more.

For more info keep checking back on this site. Stay Tuned!! Saturday April 30th at Casselmans.

follow us on our facebook event page

For info on the MC / Bboy Bgirl Battles check the facebook link here

BUY ADVANCE TICKETS HERE

Go To CASSELMAN’s WEBSITE Here

Also, catch Lazy Eyez spinning alongside DJs Chonz and Stretch at the 1st Annual La Casa Del Fonk Easter Egg Hunt, a great event by OG Denver b-boys to give the kids a nice introduction to hip hop and celebrate the elements.  Last but not least, hit up DJLazyEyez.com for more pics from Lazy’s adventures over the last month, including DJing at the Denver Mayoral Debate (check the pic below), the Boombox Saint Denver Release Party at Tooey’s & more.

Tags: Billboard, Cashmere Agency, Cassleman's, Che Grand, Connected, DMC, Hai Bar, La Casa Del Fonk, Red Bull, Rob Swift, Sushi Hai, SXSW, Tanya Morgan, The Foreign Exchange, Thre3 Style, TiRon, Vibe

MP3: Che Grand “The Solution (Salute)” from the upcoming Solution Tape #2…

Our good friend out in Brooklyn and frequent Solution guest, Che Grand, recorded us this ridiculous Solution anthem last year (in fact, a shorter, alternate version appeared on Che Grand & DJ Low Key – The Fixtape Too).  It features him MURDERING a futuristic Madlib joint and talking about his favorite party.  Download it for free below to get a preview of the heat we’re bringing for The Solution Tape #2 and make sure to get up on Che Grand’s music if you’re not already.

.:Che Grand “The Solution (Salute)”:.

Tags: Che Grand, Madlib, The Fixtape, The Lessondadary

I Remember: The top 3 Solution moments from DJ Big Styles fka Styles & Fashion and Dunn the Signtologist…

To get ready for the 4th Anniversary of the Solution on Friday, Feb. 4th, we’re checking in with some of our favorite regulars and people around Denver to hear what their favorite moments from the party have been.  Here’s favorites from Denver hip hop legend Big Styles fka Styles N’ Fashion and nationally renowned, Denver-based artist Dunn the Signtologist; stay tuned for more classic memories leading up to the party on 2/4.

Styles & Fashion’s Top 3 Solution Moments:

1. DJ Low Key channels Charlie Murphy at his birthday party at the Solution at the Shelter: We all know DJ Low Key, but do we really know Low Key? I know him as a Southern gentleman, discriminating tastemaker and heterosexual male Subaru loyalist (a first!). So imagine my shock and awe when at his birthday party back in ’07 at the OG solution when he broke character and “rocked the mic.” After performances by Che Grand and Tanya Morgan (which I largely missed, you will see why in solution memory #3) suddenly over the loudspeakers we all hear: “Aight you bitches! this is the last motherfucking song of the night! shout out to all the people who bought me drinks tonight! I’m fucked up! Bitches! Where is the afterparty? Shout out to motherfucking Che Grand up in this bitch!” I thought sure it was Charlie Murphy, but nope, it was Justin Green, aka DJ Low Key stumbling over his words and his feet at the end of the night.

2. The GOOD Fridays reunion at the Solution at 3014: It was just a couple of months ago, but already it’s one of my favorite Solution moments. After a lil’ bit of hype (internet buzz I think is what the young folks call it) I hustled on over to 3014 Colfax to be embraced in what I thought was sure to be some revisionist history. Who are rap fans if not complete revisionists? The original GOOD Fridays was ahead of its’ time, back when people thought Kanye sucked, rap music had sold out, and no one supported “real hip hop”. Thank God those days are gone! “Rap fans are always jumping at the chance to claim the past. This is going to be big” I thought to myself as I strutted with pride toward the Solution and swung open the door to find: a half empty bar, a few die hard fans and a solemn DJ Low Key. “Cheer Up homeboy!,” I yelled at Low Key over Sounds Supreme surprisingly NOT playing “Lady Don’t Tek No” by Latryx (I almost didn’t recognize him.) “This is just like a real GOOD Friday, everybody swears they’re coming, no one actually does.” I felt bad for ruining the Solution for a night, but it felt good to reconnect with the folks that did come out. DJ Massv, one of the OG GOOD Fridays crew got his car towed before he could even make the venue, so he didn’t attend. Gotta love this rap shit.

3. Jessica aka “The Bartender” – I know what you’re thinking: Styles, do we need to blow this chick’s head up anymore? Yes, yes we do. Aside from DJs, “The Bartender” has been the only mainstay for me at the Solution. You never forget your first time, and my first time was back in ’07 at Low Key’s birthday party. What’s crazy for me is how directly this night mimicked the lyrics to T-Pain’s hit from the same year, ironically titled- wait for it: “Bartender.” (I know right! T-Pain is a GENIUS!) Follow the eerie parallels: 1) I had just broke up with my girl, and had gone to the club. 2) I was just looking for someone to talk to and show me some love. 3)Everybody was jocking me as soon as I stepped in the spot. 3) We can all agree that Jessica is a prettly lil’ thing, and the bar at that time was up at the top. 4)When I ordered my beer she indeed showed me some love (well she had to, the manager at Bar Standard recognized me and comped my beer! ) 4) She gave me drinks to drink 5) I drunk em. 6)I could have sworn that I thought she she thought I was cool. 7) I gave her a wink 8)she winked back…..and that’s where the similarity ends. Yup, I ignored the live performances and instead hit on “the bartender.’ Of course I thought I was brand new, in reailty I quickly became another statistic on the “Dudes at the Solution who have hit on me” chart that I imagine the nerdier version of Jessica has on her laptop. But for a few minutes many moons ago, life absolutely imitated art. God Bless T-Pain, and God Bless the Solution.

Dunn the Signtologist’s Top 3 Solution Moments:

1. The first time I was able to hang my art in conjunction with the Solution at the Funky Buddha: It was a crazy place to hang work wiring signs to posts and pipes around the covered rooftop venue. It turned out to be an amazing event it was one of the first hip hop themed nights in Denver I had been able to display my artwork. I remember the great experience of watching everyone dancing, drinking, networking and interacting with my artwork.

2. The Akomplice Season Six Release Party at the Solution at the Shelter:  A fashion show put on by Akomplice & an art show put on by The Signtologist was set up on the roof top of along with a stage for some special guests Akomplice brought along. It was one of the first events I had done with Akomplice and was the perfect meshing of street wear with street art presented to The Solution’s fan base. This was first of many shows Akomplice & The Signtologist did with The Solution over the years.

3. The Solution Returns at 3014:  My first time walking into The Solution and it’s newest home at 3014 on Colfax. The Solution has lived a lot of places around Denver over the years and done so many huge events! But for a minute it went missing in action and was homeless and there wasn’t a place in Denver to go on Fridays for guaranteed great hip hop. I was so happy to walk into 3014 and see nothing had changed just the venue. It’s always been about great music, people dancing, seeing the same family always in attendance and feeling once again that familiar community vibe. Thanks for all the memories fellas!

Tags: Akomplice, Charlie Murphy, Che Grand, DJ BIg Styles, DJ Massv, DJ Styles & Fashion, Dunn the Signtologist, GOOD Fridays, Jessica the Bartender, Radio Bums, Tanya Morgan, The Funky Buddha, The Shelter

I Remember: The top 3 Solution moments from writer Ru Johnson & Ill Seven of Isolated Generation…

To get ready for the 4th Anniversary of the Solution on Friday, Feb. 4th, we’re checking in with some of our favorite regulars and people around Denver to hear what their favorite moments from the party have been.  Here’s favorites from writer Ru Johnson and Ill Seven of Isolated Generation; stay tuned for more classic memories leading up to the party on 2/4.

Ru Johnson’s top 3 Solution moments:

1.  One of my first times at The Solution (at the Buddha) one of the deejays played “Cher Chez La Ghost” and there were literally 20 of us singing and rapping at the top of our lungs. And, I’m pretty sure was a dance-off between Little Wing and some random guy in a vest. We banged on walls and the stage and danced like there was no tomorrow.

2.  Pretty recently at the 3014 location, Low Key effectively slayed our hip-hop souls with the addition of some Jay Electronica “Exhibit C” into the playlist. Looking over at several cats from the scene completely jammin out, I realized The Solution is the ONLY Friday night party that speaks to the hip-hop purist in me.

3.  It was a freezing Friday eve when the guys were still rocking at Funky Buddha. I was rolling deep with the homegirls and we decided to “last call” it at The Solution. Sounds Supreme dropped “Soldier of Love” (this was right when the song came out) and the vibe was so perfect, I could have been at a basement party in Brooklyn.

Ill Seven’s top 3 Solution moments:

1.  The Solution’s Annual Chicken & Waffles Parties: First would have to be the way they held it down with the west coast “Chicken and Waffles” tribute parties!  I’m from the west coast and I’ve never seen anyone ’til them do anything with Chicken and Waffles out here in Denver…and on top of that, hold it down with such a strong west coast vibe, got to love the ideas these guys come up with.

2.  The 2010 (4th Annual) Solution J Dilla Tribute w/ Slum Village at Bar Standard: Seeing SV Live! I’m a big fan of Dilla and SV; Low Key and Sounds Supreme held Dilla down in such a dope way…I think Dilla would of been honored.

3.  Tanya Morgan & Che Grand at the Solution on the Shelter’s Rooftop:  Last but not least, was the Tanya Morgan show, the first time I saw those cats was at The Solution, and I became a fan. I was hearing a lot of dope things from Low Key about those guys, and knowing the type of music that they play at The Solution I trusted that they would be dope live, and without a question they killed it.

Tags: Bar Standard, Che Grand, Chicken & Waffles, Ill Seven, Isolated Generation, Little Wing, Ru Johnson, Slum Village, Tanya Morgan, The Shelter

I Remember: The top 3 Solution moments from Brittney the Square and DJ Dozen…

To get ready for the 4th Anniversary of the Solution on Friday, Feb. 4th, we’re checking in with some of our favorite regulars and people around Denver to hear what their favorite moments from the party have been.  First up, we have R&B/soul music guru Brittney the Square and the youngest DJ in charge aka DJ Dozen sharing their top 3 Solution moments; stay tuned for more classic memories leading up to the party on 2/4.

Brittney The Square’s Top 3 Solution Moments:
1. The 2010 (4th Annual) Solution J Dilla Tribute w/ Slum Village at Bar Standard:  SV is the first hip hop group that really got me listening to hip hop back in 2002.  So, to meet them and see them perform at The Solution was amazing.  Although I spent most of the night in the back corner away from the party soliciting donations for the J Dilla Foundation, the night still managed to make my top 3 list for a few reasons:  1. meeting SV and seeing them perform some of my favorite tracks 2. eating all the damn donuts (powdered and chocolate were the preference) 3. hearing tracks that I had no idea Dilla produced and buggin’ out about it and of course, 4. supporting a good cause.

2.  Meeting my boyfriend at the Solution at the Funky Buddha:  It was either my first or second night ever at The Solution and I was helping out with usual stuff when Low Key introduced me to, who would later be, my future boyfriend.  When we met, we immediately got on the subject of, of course, music and our music preferences.  We talked about not only hip hop, but soul/r&b, which is my favorite.  I was impressed that he knew all of my favorite artists and I think he was impressed that I was so into and passionate about the same music as he was.  It took me awhile to really come around, but eventually I did.  Hate to admit it, but you can find love at the “club”.

3.  My third favorite Solution moment doesn’t have a name.  It’s just those random nights dancing and vibing to good ass music with your favorite people.  That’s what it’s all about, right?

DJ Dozen’s (yes, that’s him rocking the Thugnificent look for Halloween) Top 3 Solution Moments:
1.  The first annual Solution J Dilla tribute at Milk:  I hit up the party with Dealz, Mike Lee, and Gully Gabby; it was my first time seeing midwest music embraced in CO. At the ripe age of 18, I stepped out to see what this good music was all about. I still remember sittin wit Dealz and every so often yelling “Dilla Made This Too?!?” It was def a good experience.

2.  Exile, DJ Day, Tanya Morgan and Che Grand at the Solution at the Funky Buddha:  After a long day setting up and facilitating there is nothing better that to get an unexpected crazy live show.  Coming in, I knew that DJ Day and Exile were set to perform but at no point was I ready for the Micheal Jackson Tribute or for Donwill, Von Pea and Che Grand to rip freestyles over their beats mid party!!! Crazy night but super fun!

3.  Solution moments come in a blur for some of us who attend on a regular basis, not at all because they are the same, it’s more like having extra fun. Like I go out normally but the atmosphere aint like this; in the club jammin all night, with ya hands in the air, not worrying about any problems.  Of course there’s drinks too, but just an overall good feeling vibe going through everybody in the building.

Tags: Bar Stanard, Brittney the Square, Che Grand, Dealz Makes Beats, DJ Day, DJ Dozen, Donwill, Exile, J DIlla, Milk, Slum Village, Tanya Morgan, The Funky Buddha, Von Pea