It might be pure marketing genius to have album names like “Freebasing with Kevin Bacon” and “Huffing Glue with Hasslehoff”; comedic emcee Jarren Benton definitely knows what he’s doing. The Georgia-based rapper not only has fast-spitting humorous rhymes with hot, sweaty party music, but he has big plans for the future. Benton recently launched his […]
Amanda Fintak
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INDIE ROCK | The Ok-Ok’s
York, Pennsylvania-based indie rock band The Ok-Ok’s may be young but it brings the talent that most musicians work their entire lives for. On the group’s new full-length album, “22/17” — simply named because three of the members were 22 and one was 17 when it was recorded — singer Sadie Swartz belts soulful, wailing […]
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ROCK ‘N’ ROLL | Tigerman WOAH
The members of the self-described “Northshore livin’, brown liquor drinkin’, woah-singin’, and good -rotten,” band Tigerman WOAH are brassy, debaucherous rock ‘n’ rollers from Lynn, Massachusetts. The band combines an Appalachian bluegrass style — using banjo-ukulele, guitar, percussion, and upright bass — with raspy lead vocals, aggressive strings, and mischievous sing-alongs for a sound that […]
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BRASS/JAZZ | Rebirth Brass Band
The Rebirth Brass Band originates from New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood, founded in 1983 by Kermit Ruffins alongside brothers Keith and Phil Frazier. The modern second line brass ensemble has been dubbed “a New Orleans institution,” and for good reason: the band combines traditional a New Orleans jazz sound with hip-hop, funk and soul. The band’s […]
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Cosmic level
It took almost a decade, but the stars finally aligned for The Level 7 Experience. Now, the band wants to create a holistic space for the city’s hip-hop artists
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HIP-HOP | Chance the Rapper
Who knew that getting suspended from high school for 10 days would land you a successful career in hip-hop? Six years ago, Chicago-based rapper, singer, and songwriter Chance the Rapper recorded the “10 Day” mixtape while home from school for being caught in possession of marijuana. His path has been paved with gold ever since, […]
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HIP-HOP | Mic Lanny
Albany-based rapper Mic Lanny quit art school to pursue a career in low-blow rapping. And by that I mean rhyme after rhyme and jab after jab, this guy has some punchlines. With comedic wordplay and a light-hearted perspective, Mic Lanny delivers with lyrical dexterity and an old-school feel, similar to that of the late, great […]
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HIP-HOP | Emilio Rojas
Rochester-native rapper Emilio Rojas has already independently toured internationally twice, dropped eight mixtapes, and is even backed by Rochester hip-hop legend DJ Green Lantern. And outside of the city, Rojas is associated with artists like Killer Mike, Future, Hi-Rez, and N.O.R.E. His music is proudly controversial with reoccurring themes about racial identity, the abuse of […]
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HIP-HOP | PnB Rock
Philadelphia-based rapper PnB Rock is on the come up in 2017, pouring gasoline on a path that’s already on fire. He emerged on the scene in 2014 with a single that featured on MTV Jams, “My City Needs Something,” which is in response to the alarming rise of violent crime in Philadelphia. He’s only been […]
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ELECTRONIC | Kawehi
Dubbed “The genius one-woman band” by Elle magazine, Kawehi creates intricate, hypnotic, multi-dimensional loops using Ableton Live, and builds layers of sound with guitars, ukuleles, a MIDI keyboard, and beatboxing in beautiful array of artistic alchemy. This alternative-electronic musician takes an independent, DIY approach, with five albums and a full US tour completely funded by […]
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HIP-HOP | “The Bar Association”
The first in its series, emcee Golden and Fresh Rich are hosting “The Bar Association,” a night of hip-hop featuring Rochester artists. The night includes live performances from King Righteous, Dwayne Collins, Da Cloth, Skandolous, Casso, 2 Way, Stoopid Bars, Rell $, Blockstar Nation, and Golden. D.J. JuTT will be spinning with special guests. This […]
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Album review: ‘F*CK Ya Feelings’
Golden “F*CK Ya Feelings” Self-released golden585.bandcamp.com Rochester emcee Golden is impressively armored with lethal lyrical dexterity and an upbeat, free-flowing delivery. “F*CK Ya Feelings,” Golden’s latest release, is a product of an artist’s vision made without the normal calculated process; this is more of an impulsive, uninhibited creation. After finding some unused beats, “I decided […]
