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

Meet CA’s Free Speech, one of our out of town guests for The Solution Showcase #9 on 9/22 at the Meadowlark…

Denver meet rap retiree Free Speech…LOL.  While he’s technically retired from rap, Free Speech is just about as nice as any MC you’ll find out today and it’s actually a pretty funny story how he got added to the bill.  My initial plan was to bring out frequent Free Speech collaborator Ro Blvd as well as Thurz and before we’d announced the show I was talking to the homie/Denver’s favorite videographer/Welcome To The D.O.P.E. Game co-founder Jeremy Pape and mentioned the tentative lineup.  He bugged out and said that he was a HUGE Ro Blvd fan and the Ro Blvd/Free Speech/BrekFast Club project Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth (Retro Edition) was one of his favorite albums ever!  I text Ro and Free Speech to pass on the word and next thing I know, Free Speech was added to the lineup for what promises to be a great Solution Showcase #9.

Free Speech’s music is the sound of a brilliant Stanford educated dude mixed with straight up grimy hip hop.  His lyrics are vicious, clever and provocative and with most of the production coming from Ro Blvd, his music tends to stand out.  Download 2006’s controversial Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth below to get more familiar with Free Speech and his BrekFast Club crew (founded with Ro Blvd and including the likes of The Solution’s own DJ Low Key, Micah James, Sik, France and more).

.:Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth (Retro Edition):.

Now that you’re a Free Speech fan, catch him at The Solution Showcase #9 with LA’s Ro Blvd & Thurz, elusive DJ/producer Fast Forward, DJ Low Key & more on Saturday, 9/22 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  We know there are a lot of other events going on the same night, so we’re starting early at 7PM sharp on the patio stage (for the first time ever!) and giving anyone who shows their ticket/ticket stub from another 9/22 event $3 off cover (only $5 for this crazy lineup instead of $8) to help you maximize the last official day of Summer.  21+ /// $5 Pre-sales now available at all three Family Affair locations & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 7pm.

Tags: BrekFast Club, Free Speech, Ro Blvd, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase

Meet LA’s Ro Blvd, one of our out of town guests for The Solution Showcase #9 on 9/22…

SATURDAY, 9/22 at 7PM -> In one of the great tragedies of hip hop, LA’s Ro Blvd somehow remains one of the most slept-on producers out, despite having produced the entirely of U-N-I’s modern LA rap classic A Love Supreme, working with both members (Thurzday & Y-O) post U-N-I-breakup, crafting the cult classic Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth with his BrekFast Club crew, as well as producing jams for LA favorites El Prez (“Gone”), Skeme (“I’m So Cold”), Krondon, Shawn Jackson & more.  If you’ve been paying attention to The Solution for a while, you might also recognize Ro as one of the hosts of The Solution Tape #1 (along with fellow Solution Showcase #9 guest Thurzday and Y-O, back before U-N-I split up).  We were first introduced to his earlier works in 2004 or so by one of his first collaborators and fellow Solution Showcase #9 guest Free Speech and have since watched Ro develop a progressive, diverse but still signature sound that just oozes California smoothness.

Above: Ro Blvd feat. Thurzday “Great Going Good” from Heart Pounding Panic /// Below: Thurzday (produced by Ro Blvd) “Colors” from L.A. Riot.

A few weeks ago, Ro released his official solo debut and one of our favorites of 2012, Heart Pounding Panic, featuring collaborations with Thurzday, Y-O, Micah James, Krondon, Cali Cush, Shawn Jackson, former Solution/Goodness guest Theo Martins & more.  The lead singles; the super banger “Great Going Good” (check the video above), the dream-like “Cyst” & laid back BBQ-anthem “Summer Solstice” are all ridiculously good and have been getting steady spins at Solution & Goodness events all year, so you’re probably familiar with them even if you don’t know the tracks by name.  Hit the links and videos in this post to get more familiar with Ro’s music, the quality it exudes is far more telling than anything I can type in a post.

Above: Heart Pounding Panic Advanced Listening Party Video /// Below: Ro Blvd’s remix of Common “The Corner”

Now that you’re a little more familiar, don’t miss Ro Blvd at The Solution Showcase #9 with LA’s Thurzday & Free Speech, CO hip hop icons Prime Element, elusive DJ/producer Fast Forward, DJ Low Key & more on Saturday, 9/22 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  We know there are a lot of other events going on the same night, so we’re starting early at 7PM sharp and giving anyone who shows their ticket/ticket stub from another 9/22 event $3 off cover (only $5 for this crazy lineup instead of $8) to help you maximize the last official day of Summer.  21+ /// $5 Pre-sales now available at all three Family Affair locations & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 7pm.

To get more familiar with Ro Blvd, check out a few more videos for Ro-produced songs below, this fantastic Smoking Section interview with him Y-O & Thurz from when A Love Supreme dropped, and the great inset interview with Andrea 3Stacks after the jump to get familiar with one of the best young producers out.

Above: U-N-I & Ro Blvd “Land of the Kings”/// Below: U-N-I & Ro Blvd “Hollywood Hiatus”

Above: U-N-I & Ro Blvd feat. Miguel “Lately 2.0” /// Below: U-N-I & Ro Blvd “Desha Dayana”

› Continue reading

Tags: Ro Blvd, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase, Thurzday, U-N-I, Y-O

Saturday, 9/22 at 7PM -> The Solution Showcase #9 w/Ro Blvd (LA) feat. Thurzday & Free Speech, Prime Element, Fast Forward, DJ Low Key & more at the Meadowlark…

SATURDAY, 9/22 at 7PM -> After getting things back on track with another packed Solution Showcase last month, we’re back for The Solution Showcase #9 with wunderkind producer Ro Blvd (LA), Thurzday (LA/formerly of U-N-I) & Free Speech (The Bay/BrekFast Club), CO hip hop icons Prime Element, elusive DJ/producer Fast Forward, DJ Low Key & more at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).  You might remember Ro Blvd and Thurzday as 2/3 of the hosts from The Solution Tape #1 (back before U-N-I split up).  They’ll be joining Free Speech (of Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth/BrekFast Club fame) as our featured out of town acts for the night.  We’ll also be featuring A.V.I.U.S., Es Nine & Cysko Rokwel aka Prime Element as our Denver artists and acclaimed musician/producer/DJ Fast Forward as our featured CO producer.

Also, we know there are a lot of other events going on the same night, so we’re starting early and giving anyone who shows their ticket/ticket stub from another 9/22 event $3 off cover (only $5 for this crazy lineup instead of $8) to help you maximize the last official day of Summer.  And don’t worry if you’re not familiar with someone on the bill, a big part of The Solution Showcase is about discovering dope new music and we’ll be linking up music, videos and more info on all the artists as we get closer to the party. So stay tuned to DenverSolution.com to learn more about the performers and hopefully we’ll see you on 9/22! 21+ /// $5 Pre-sales now available at all three Family Affair locations & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 7pm.

UPDATE #1: Since 9/22 marks the official end of Summer on the calendar and we’re starting early anyway, we’re going to do something fun and new and have the first half of the party on the patio’s outdoor stage (including some of our featured performances).  We that said, we’re going to kick things off right at 7PM.  This isn’t the month to come out fashionably late, but it should be worth beating the clock to get a bonus night in on the patio.

Tags: DJ Low Key, Family Affair, Fast Forward, Free Speech, Ro Blvd, The Meadowlark, Thurzday, U-N-I

Friday, 4/23 -> Guru Tribute at the Solution, hosted by Ro Blvd + Sounds Supreme’s return + Boon Doc’s birthday party…

FRIDAY, 4/23 -> As I’m sure you already know, hip hop lost a legend when Guru of Gang Starr succumbed to complications from multiple myeloma earlier this week. Guru’s music has been a huge influence on both of us as DJs and when we heard the news, we knew that we need to push back our initial plans for this Friday (Chicken & Waffles will be next Friday, 3/30) at the Solution and dedicate the night to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal.  You know the man, you know the music, please join us as we celebrate the life and music of Keith Elam.

Plus, Sounds Supreme is finally back from 5 weeks of DJing on a cruise ship and now we have a “Best Club Night in Denver” award to celebrate. As if that wasn’t enough, ridiculously talented producer Ro Blvd (of A Love Supreme and The Solution Tape #1 fame) will be out from LA to host the event and we’re celebrating the birthday of the reigning Denver Big Tune champion Boon Doc as well (speaking of Ro Blvd & Boon Doc, they’ll both be featured in a Big Tune production workshop on 4/25. If you’re a producer, hit up questions[at]djlowkey.com for more info). 21+ / Doors at 9 / Free until 11, only $5 after.

Tags: Boon Doc, Guru, Ro Blvd

.:DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1 (hosted by U-N-I & Ro Blvd):.

It’s been a long time coming, but we promise it’s worth the wait…Ladies and gentlemen, we’re proud to present to you, DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1…Hosted by our good friends and some of our favorites artists out, U-N-I & Ro Blvd, and featuring exclusives and world premiers from some of the top new MCs and producers in hip hop including all three members of Tanya Morgan, Donnis, Exile, DJ Day, Che Grand, Buff1, Adad, 8thW1, Whygee, Kid Hum, Kooley High, Median, Theo Martins, Mike Baker, 1 O.A.K., Moe Green & more, as well as some of our favorite newer tracks…Check it out below and leave us a comment to let us know what you think, cool?

.:DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1 (hosted by U-N-I & Ro Blvd):.

.:DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1 (hosted by U-N-I & Ro Blvd) (extended untracked/podcast style version):.

Tracklist:

1. DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme “Question:What’s The Solution?”
2. U-N-I & Ro Blvd “The Solution Tape #1 Intro”
3. Donnis & Ro Blvd “Meet Me At The Solution”*
4. Moe Green “Round & Round”#
5. Donwill “808 Hi”*
6. Ilyas “Put It Up”#
7. Von Pea & Suhburb “Toss It Over”*
8. Kooley High feat. Median & Halo “What The Deal”*
9. Whygee & Kid Hum “I Play The Wall”*
10. Adad “Hi”#
11. BJ The Chicago Kid “Sky’s The Limit”
12. Theo Martins “Kirby’s Airwalk”#
13. Erykah Badu “Jump in The Air”
14. 8thW1 & 2 Hungry Bros “Talkin'”#
15. Ro Blvd “Desha Dayana Instrumental”
16. U-N-I & Ro Blvd “Land Of The Kings”
17. Donwill “Love Junkie”
18. TiRon & Ayomari “Ms. Right”
19. FRESHselects x Waajeed feat. Buff1 “You”#
20. El Prez & Ro Blvd “Lil Miss Popular”
21. Food Chain “Who Ridin'”
22. U-N-I “Beautiful Day” (Live at the Akomplice Season 11 Release Party)*
23. Exile & DJ Day feat. Von Pea, Donwill & Che Grand “Live at the Solution – 6/26/09”*
24. Exile & DJ Day “Funky Beats Interlude – Live at the Solution”*
25. Sounds Supreme “Intro”
26. Raheem Devaughn & Phil Ade “Pretty Girls (Remix)”
27. Chip Tha Ripper “Thank God”
28. Nneka feat. Jay Electronica “Walking (J.Period remix)”
29. Skyzoo “Beautiful Decay”
30. Othello & DJ Vajra “Connect For”#
31. Kidz In The Hall “Jukebox”
32. U-N-I & Ro Blvd “Stylin'”
33. Lupe Fiasco “Lean”
34. Nametag feat. Skyzoo “Back On My Shit”
35. Seven feat. Talib Kweli “Go Slow (DJ Premier Remix)”
36. Whygee & Gyp Da Hip “The Solution Freestyle”*
37. Gorillaz “Stylo (Chiddy Bang Remix)”
38. U-N-I & Ro Blvd feat. Miguel “Lately”
39. Mike Baker & 1 O.A.K. “The Solution (Mile High)”*
40. U-N-I & Ro Blvd “Shouts”

* Exclusive to the Solution Tape #1
# Exclusive world premier

Tags: #COHipHop, lessondary, Ro Blvd, Solution Exclusives, The Solution Tape #1, U-N-I

Friday, 2/26 -> DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1 Release Party + The Solution’s last night at the Funky Buddha…

FRIDAY, 2/26 ->  We’re finally dropping the Solution Tape #1, hosted by our good friends U-N-I & Ro Blvd, just in time to celebrate our final night at the Funky Buddha.  We’ve held down the Funky Buddha’s rooftop for the last 2+ years and while our time there has been awesome, it’s time for us to move on to a bigger and better spot, where we can take the Solution to the next level.  With that said, we’re looking forward to our new home, a few blocks away at Bar Standard (1037 Broadway). Bar Standard has a stage, great sound system, impressive lighting, a recently renovated interior, two AMAZING rooftop decks for summer and all sorts of other useful features that we plan to make the most of (starting with our 4th annual J Dilla tribute on 3/5).

But anyways, back to the party on 2/26.  You know the music’s gonna be on point, we’ll be giving copies of DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme – The Solution Tape #1 (hosted by U-N-I & Ro Blvd) to the first 100 people, we’ve got clothing giveaways from Akomplice and two lucky Solution fans are gonna win a dope new Denver Diggers fitted, courtesy of Frank151 (find out how to win in the post below).  Don’t miss your chance to witness the end of this chapter of the Solution!!!  No cover / 21+ / Music at 9.

Tags: Denver Diggers, Ro Blvd, The Funky Buddha, The Solution Tape #1, U-N-I