| Summer is the season that hip hop heads live for. It’s when we roll down our windows, turn up the bass and cruise around the ’hood with no purpose but to look hecka fresh. It’s when we can leave our dim and dusty basements full of used vinyl and empty beer bottles. It’s when we grab our backpacks and headphones and hit the streets in search of the feel-good track of summer ’06. I’m here to help you with that search. This summer, Calgary rap is something to keep an eye on.
Before I touch on some of the rap albums being dropped this summer, I should tell you about where the best places are to buy hip hop, get involved and to just chill with the raddest people in the scene. Firstly, Fameless (1314-1 Street S.W.) is going to have a very busy spring-summer this year, so make sure to check out one of the many live in-store events each week. There are open mic nights, open DJ nights and, for those who can’t see their favourite artists in the bars, live afternoon shows for pretty much every rap act that makes its way through Calgary. Also on the storefront, there is a new shop opening up on 17th Avenue. called Ghettoblasters. This store will cater to the needs of people coming from all aspects of hip hop – rap, paint and, the most important hip hop element, fashion.
Music-wise, there is a lot of good new material coming out of the local hip hop scene. Planit will be dropping his sophomore album this spring, entitled The Whole Process of Things. Planit brings an original flavour that combines poetic elements with new-school hip hop flavour – the beats are grimier than 1st Street on a Monday night. You can say hello to Planit at Fameless.Rumour has it that Calgary legends, Dragon Fli Empire, will soon be dropping a new video from their album, Invasion. It should be a banger.
Calgary’s King Dylan is releasing a new album with his crew, The D.C. Show, called Smacked by Popular Demand, and they are releasing on April 29 at the Point on 17th with Lexington & Whatevski, Ricca Razor Sharp and the Ill Natured Freshmen. |
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