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DJ Lazy Eyez talks about The Solution, not being “a fancy jukebox” while DJing & more with Cypher Sessions…

“At some point you have to question whether or not you’re really DJing and contributing something, or if you’re just a fancy jukebox.” – DJ Lazy Eyez explains what The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez is all about in a recent interview with Cypher Sessions. Check out the full question & interview below->

Cypher Sessions: What has your time at The Solution been like since you joined, and what have you learned from that weekly showcase?

DJ Lazy Eyez: “The Solution has always been a very special thing to me. The Solution was originally founded by DJ Low Key and DJ Sounds Supreme. Even at the beginning I would just go as a fan and hang out. Partying at the Solution those first couple of years was a very special time in my life when I had just graduated college and was still living a young carefree life in my 20s. I joined the Solution sometime around 2009. DJ Low Key has always been someone I collaborated with even in college when we used to throw 18 and up club nights in Boulder (I was the co-promoter and Low Key was the DJ). So the fit was very natural. I think we have mutual respect in terms of DJing, work ethic, and quality Hip-Hop; plus, we’re homies. The Solution has helped me grow more as a party rocking DJ, but also as a good Hip-Hop DJ.

It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the club life and being a DJ, and you can easily fall into a very formulaic boring top 40 DJ. In all reality, anyone with some beat matching skills and a laptop can DJ whatever douche club / bar in downtown Denver or college town. I’ve been there, DJ Low Key has been there. At some point you have to question whether or not you’re really DJing and contributing something, or if you’re just a fancy jukebox. The Solution allows us to have our own crowd who appreciates quality music (not just Hip-Hop). I love the fact that we are able to get away with so many genres and off the radar tracks. I think a lot of DJs if they actually saw what we get to do for such a great crowd, would be jealous. We don’t have to play anything we don’t want.

On top of that, things like the Solution and Goodness have been able to create a sense of community and friendships that I especially appreciate. You can come to one of our events and meet a who’s who of Colorado Hip-Hop. It really is a golden age for us, and I keep that in mind every week we DJ.”

.:Read the full Cypher Session interview with DJ Lazy Eyez HERE:.

And don’t miss The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez every Friday night at The Meadowlark (2701 Larimer Street)!!!

The CRL CRRLL “Cheers” Video! Directed, filmed & edited by Black Sock Productions!!! It’s the first single from The Solution Tape #2 & first release on The Solution Records!!!!!!!!!

2014’s been an UNBELIEVABLE year for The Solution and we’re thrilled to be closing it out in grand fashion, teaming up with longtime friend of the party and one of our favorite artists in Denver, CRL CRRLL, to release “Cheers” aka the first official single from The Solution Tape #2 (finally!!!) and first release on The Solution Records (!!!!!!!). CRL’s been coming to the party for almost all of the 7+ years we’ve been rocking and makes great music with a unique sound, so when it came time to finally get everything together for our upcoming mixtape, The Solution Tape #2, it only made sense to reach out to him for an exclusive song to feature on the project.

Over the Summer, DJ Low Key met up with CRL CRRLL for a fateful studio visit that led to “Cheers” getting picked out of a batch of incredible music for the mixtape and next thing you know everyone in Denver was loving this song that only DJ Low Key & DJ Lazy Eyez were spinning, whether they heard it at The Solution on a Friday night, saw CRL perform it live, caught it when we DJed a brunch gig or whatever. At that point, we began to realize that “Cheers” was something extra special and decided it deserved as much of a push as we could give it. That turned into us teaming up with Black Sock Productions and Jonathan Martin to shoot a video at Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends and The Solution, which turned into us deciding that “Cheers” was so good that it needed to get full-on single push, a physical pressing (coming in early 2015!) and so on. It’s funny how something can organically grow so fast, but it’s great to witness and be a part of. And with that said, for your listening pleasure, we’re super proud to present to you, a new celebratory anthem, right on time for New Year’s Eve and all your best moments of 2015; CRL CRRLL “Cheers”, the first single from The Solution Tape #2 (coming 2/2015) & first release on The Solution Records!!!!!!!

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“Cheers” video directed, shot & edited by Jonathan Martin for Black Sock Productions. “Cheers” produced, written & engineered by CRL CRRLL. Video filmed on location at The Meadowlark during both The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez and Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends. Still photos by Armando Geneyro aka Knower Of The Ledge. Outro song: CRL CRRLL featuring Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan) “Cruise”. Stay tuned for The Solution Tape #2 in February 2015 and CRL CRRLL’s Ghostwaves double-EP in early 2015 and don’t miss The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez, every Friday night at The Meadowlark in Denver, CO!!!

P.S. Don’t forget to close out the year at The Solution’s New Year Eve 2014 Party at Beauty Bar Denver, featuring a special appearance by the legendary DJ Chris Karns (World DMC Winner, US Thre3 Style Finalist & Master Of The Mix Runner Up), The Solution’s own DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez, a special “Cheers” live performance by CRL CRRLL to break in the new year & more!!!

P.P.S. In case you missed The Solution Tape #1 (chock full of exclusives and live audio from the likes of Von Pea & Donwill of Tanya Morgan, Exile & DJ Day, Kooley High, Moe Green, Mike Baker & 1 O.A.K. of The Honor Roll & a whole lot more!!!), check it out RIGHT HERE! Enjoy!!!

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Friday, 12/12 -> CRL CRRLL “Cheers” Video Premier + Knower Of The Ledge & Darius Carey’s Graduation Party, ZenOne & more at The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez at The Meadowlark! Shouts to Black Sock Productions!!!

FRIDAY, 12/12 -> In what was probably the best year The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez has ever had (no small statement), we’re extra excited to be working with Denver favorite, longtime friend of the party & Red Bull Sound Select artist CRL CRRLL on the release of “Cheers”, one of our favorite songs we’ve heard come from the Mile High City and the first single from our upcoming mixtape, The Solution Tape #2. For the “Cheers” video, we partnered up with another friend of party, Black Sock Productions, to put together a fun video for the anthematic ode to enjoying life, following CRL around a day & night at The Meadowlark during both The Solution & Goodness. “Cheers” has been garnering a ton of “what song is this playing?” comments and rave reviews over the last few months as we’ve played it out around town at live events and we can’t wait to put it out there for the world to hear (as well as our next mixtape in February 2015!).

As if that wasn’t enough we’re also celebrating the college graduations of both Armando Geneyro aka Knower Of The Ledge aka the guy who’s been take all dope photos you can find on our our Instagram & Facebook (and probably yours if your come out to the party) over the last year plus and party regular/world traveler Darius Carey.

We’ve also got a few of the now sold out CRL CRRLL “Cheers” t-shirts to give away to some lucky folks, Knower Of The Ledge is gonna still be on duty taking party photos despite his celebrating his graduation (the mark of a true pro) and who knows, we might have another surprise or two in store for what figures to be an incredible night. 21+ / 9pm / No cover until 11pm, only $5 after / 2701 Larimer Street.

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Sunday, 7/13 at 1pm -> The Meditations Of Marcus Arrilius Release Party + Celebrate Life at Goodness w/extra special guest Fat Trak, DJ Dozen, DJ Motto & DJ Low Key on the Meadowlark’s patio! Come celebrate the long-awaited release of the late great Marcus Arrilius & Fat Trak’s official debut album!!!

SUNDAY, 7/13 from 1pm-10pm -> Almost a year and a half ago, Denver lost a very significant voice way before his time with the passing of the late great Marcus Arrilius. While the man’s presence is sorely missed around town, his musical legacy lives on in the form of his highly anticipated debut album with producer Fat Trak and it was an honor when Trak reached out to have Goodness host its official release. Over the last year and half, Fat Trak has been taking the time to lovingly craft every detail on the album and the result is unquestionably one of the best albums I’ve ever heard come out of Colorado, regardless of the tragic back story or not, and with that said, if you’re a fan of music in Denver, hip hop, myself or whatever, please make sure that if you’re only gonna come out to one Goodness this Summer, please make it this one.

We’ll be playing the album a few times through from 1pm-3pm and we’ll have hard copies of the albums for sale, with half of the proceeds going to Marcus’s children (get out a taste of the project below). Then around 3pm, Meditations Of Marcus Arrilius producer Fat Trak will showcase a beat set for the crowd, followed by DJ sets from the two DJs featured on the album, frequent collaborators DJ Dozen & DJ Motto, as well as myself. Throughout the day, we’ll be celebrating the music and life of Marcus and in doing so, hopefully appreciating life ourselves. I know it sounds over the top, but the party’s called Goodness and celebrating life is what we do regularly, so let’s take 7/13 to be a little more appreciative of life. HUGE shouts to Fat Trak for reaching out help with the album release and DJ Dozen for all his help on the event, it’s an honor to help preserve the legacy of an underexposed Denver great.

Also, as usual we’ve got complimentary stadium style Goodness cups for the first 25 people to get drinks, as well as complimentary buttons for everybody! And of course, Moontower Tacos will be out front making their incredible, uniquely tasty tacos to fuel the party, making the cipher complete. Goodness/Solution photographer Knower Of The Ledge will be taking pics of the party (follow us on Instagram: @GDNSS), El Chingon is brewing refreshing agua frescas for us, ZenOne will be back & more on the Meadowlark’s lovely patio (2701 Larimer St), don’t miss an extra special Goodness!!! No cover / 21+ / 1-10pm.

Sunday, 5/4 at 3pm -> Goodness 2014 kicks off on the Meadowlark’s incredible patio w/DJ Low Key, extra special guests DJ House Shoes (Detroit/LA) & DJ Lazy Eyez! Food by Moontower Tacos, live art from Joseph Martinez & Jaime Molina, treats from ZenOne, Judith & Joe mobile boutique, party pics by Knower Of The Ledge and more!!!

SUNDAY, 5/4 at 3pm -> Ahhhh yes!!! It’s starting to feel like Summer outside and that means it’s finally Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends time aka my favorite time of the year!!!!!! February’s All Dilla, Winter Goodness & March’s Austin Goodness during SXSW were both awesome days and through the magic of time flying, it’s time to kick things off in grand fashion for the Summer 2014 season on the Meadowlark’s incredible patio (2701 Larimer St).

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Winter Goodness recap by Black Sock Productions

Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends starts with exceptional music and to kick things off this Summer, I’m super excited to be bringing out the one and only DJ House Shoes, Detroit OG, current Los Angeles favorite and world renowned DJ’s DJ, for his Denver debut!!! Shoes was instrumental in breaking most every Detroit act from Dilla in the 90s to Black Milk a decade later, released the first single on infamous LA party staple the Do-Over’s record label and continues to rack up props for his dedication to pushing quality music at all times. In other words, he’ll be a perfect fit to join me and reigning WMS “best hip hop DJ in Denver” champ DJ Lazy Eyez on the turntables, as we run through everything dope under the sun throughout the party’s seven hours.

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You already now we’ll have our renowned agua frescas on deck, official Goodness/Solution photographer Knower Of The Ledge will be in the taking pictures of the party (follow us on Instagram: @GDNSS, if you don’t already) and Moontower Tacos will be handling the food, bringing their incredible tacos back to the block! Also, we’re excited to be welcoming our friends Judith & Joe Fashion & Records mobile boutique back out to join the fun, we have ZenOne will be bringing some impressive top shelf samples of their upcoming line out as well (get excited, but don’t get too excited; they don’t drop til January 1, 2015) and last, but not definitely not least, we excited to welcome two of our favorite Denver artists, Joseph Martinez (fresh off of designing the artwork to Blu’s upcoming album) & Jaime Molina, down to do some some live painting, making things easier on all of our eyes and adding to the festivities!!!

It’s gonna be a fantastic start to what promises to be another incredible Summer, so get there early, especially if you’re after a table on the Meadowlark’s incredible patio (2701 Larimer St). More info coming soon here & at @feel_goodness. $5 Red Bull & Svedkas / No Cover / 21+ / 3-10pm.

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A few words on Goodness:

New York mixtape legend and Roc Nation DJ Mick (formerly Boogie) said “I love parties where I can just play.  And that party allowed me to do just that.  It was cleansing to my soul.  Thank Goodness.”.

San Francisco’s DJ Gordo, founder of nationally syndicated party Motown On Mondays, on the party: “Goodness is that rare kind of outdoor party where pouring rain and thunder only fuels the fire on the dance floor and brings people closer together.  Don’t go to Denver and miss out on Goodness!”.

Red Bull Thre3 Style Los Angeles champion & former US finals runner up D-JR has “Nothing but the best things to say about DJ Low Key’s party Goodness.”.

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P.S. Just got word that Joseph Martinez is gonna give away a couple of these super dope “Fuck You, Pay Me” pieces that he recently released.

P.P.S. There are a few other surprises in store for 5/4, but I figured this was more than enough to get the announcement out to the world! Stay tuned!!!

Sunday, 4/27 at 8pm -> Red Bull Sound Select Denver w/The Legendary Bun B, FL, The Reminders & more at the Marquis Theater, curated by DJ Low Key! RSVP at RedBullSoundSelect.com for $5 cover!!!

In one of the most exciting developments of an already amazing 2014, I’ll be curating a series of Red Bull Sound Select shows here in Denver! What does that mean, exactly? It means that every few months this year, I’ll be throwing shows with top national talent and the best of Denver’s local scene, all around the city! My first RBSS show is features the legendary Bun B, Denver favorite FL and CO all-stars The Reminders, with Lazy Eyez & myself hosting and rocking the turntables at The Marquis Theater!!!

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It’s gonna be an honor to bring Houston’s honorary mayor and half of pioneering Texas duo UGK (RIP Pimp C), Bun B, out to Denver for a show. As far as I know, he hasn’t been out in Denver since the DNC in 2008 and hasn’t had a public show out here that I can think of; so make sure you save the date and don’t miss a rare chance to see a living legend live and in the flesh. Bun will be joined by The Foodchain’s FL, who’s probably my all-time favorite rapper to come out of Denver, based on his work on the three stellar Foodchain albums and his ridiculously good solo debut, Limbo. FL & Bun will be joined by The Reminders (aka Big Samir & Aja Black), a rare husband and wife rap duo who’s been traveling the country, garnering tons of attention and props from Hiero Day in the Bay to London, England to the Kennedy Center in Washington with their thoughtful brand of hip hop. Me & Lazy Eyez will be rounding out the bill, doubling up between the turntables and hosting duties for what should be a classic night hip hop in The Mile High City.

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Things get started at 8pm and with the lineup we’ve got, things should be packed. To make things better, you can RSVP at RedBullSoundSelect.com for $5 entry to the show (that’s right, only $5!!! It’s still first come, first serve til we hit capacity) and access to to some great music, videos and more online. Otherwise, it’s still quite a deal of show at $15 (just make sure you show up early, because being ready to pay a heftier cover does you no good at a sold out show). Last but not least, huge shouts to artist Michael Coriano on the incredible flyer design! 18+/8pm/2009 Larimer St.

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.:RSVP for $5 admission HERE:.

P.S. Stay tuned for more great monthly Red Bull Sound Select shows and new music in Denver, curated by myself, Holy Underground, Souls In Action & The UMS, all year long!!!

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

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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.

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

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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):

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“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)

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“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)

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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)

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

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“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)

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“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)

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“”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)

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“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)

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“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)

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“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)

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

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“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)

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“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)

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“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)

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

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“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)

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“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)

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“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)

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MC Tree (Chicago)

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Boonie Mayfield & Audiopium (Colorado)

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Ken Rebel (New York)

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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!!!

Feedback on Blu & DJ Low Key – Soul Amazing Part Three from around the Internet…The Source says “Get hip now”…

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“Blu is one of the game’s best indie/underground spitters…His style is original and if you’re new to him, get hip now.” – The Source

“The man, the myth, the legend. Clap for him. Blu, Los Angeles hip-hop artist and underground superhero, has released the third installment of his soul amazing full-length series courtesy of DJ Low Key. DJ Low Key has compiled thirty-nine tracks of immaculate raps and soulful productions by Blu which make for a rather high-quality album – a notion simultaneously unsurprising (due to Blu’s stature) yet unexpected (who do you know dropping thirty-nine-track gems?).” – Potholes In My Blog

“These #soulamazing installments that @HerFavColor dropped really shows off how much work he’s put in over the years:” – Shake of 2 Dope Boyz

.:Stream & download Blu – Soul Amazing Part Three (mixed by DJ Low Key):.

Flashback: Great pics from #TheSolution7 & lots more by Solution photographer Armando Geneyro aka Knower Of The Ledge!!!

(Above photo of DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & Sounds Supreme by Kenneth Hamblin III for Westword, check out their full gallery HERE /// All photos below by Solution photographer Armando Geneyro aka Knower Of The Ledge)

Last month’s 7 events for The Solution’s seven year anniversary were ridiculously fun and we’ve got to give all the credit to you Denver! You beautiful (for the most part…LOL) people came out to all seven events in record numbers, rocking excellent taste in music with enthusiasm, great energy and lots of smiles and it was AMAZING!!! Check out the pics below for a taste of the month’s events and check out lots more pictures on our Facebook page, our Instagram feed and in these two Westword galleries (one from our 7 Year Anniversary party & one from The 2014 Solution Beat Battle).

P.S. If you see a friend on our Facebook page or Instagram feed who hasn’t been tagged, please tag them and let them know to check their out pic!

Stay tuned to our social media pages and DenverSolution.com for more pics from the party every week, courtesy of Solution photographer Knower Of The Ledge aka Armando Geneyro!!!

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.:Stream & download Blu – Soul Amazing Part Three (mixed by DJ Low Key):.

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I first met Blu back in June 2007, in the few months between when his debut with Exile, Below The Heavens, first circulated in small circles online and when it came out for retail sale. I had randomly come across The Narrow Path EP the year before and it completely blew my mind. I put “Narrow Path” on my Mixing In Action #2 mixtape that Fall and to this day, I never get tired of that perfect song (it was first song after the intro & Von Pea’s ridiculous “So Low Key” freestyle on that tape, a testament to how much I was digging it). By the time Below The Heavens leaked, I was already sold on Blu & Exile being one of the most exciting things in hip hop and the album exceeded all my expectations, giving me feelings similar to what I imagine a DJ in 1994 would have felt the first time they listened to Illmatic or what it felt like the first time cats heard Paid In Full in the late 80s.

I was instantly obsessed with Below The Heavens and when I saw Blu was on tour with labelmates The Strange Fruit Project in early Summer 2007 as an unbilled opener (a pretty common situation when you’re a young cat trying to gain experience and pay dues), I reached out to have perform at my (at the time) fledgling party, The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme. Blu linked me up with his manager at the time, the great Jon Kim, and we worked out the rather humble details of the show. The night of the show/party, I picked up Blu & Jon Kim at Denver venue Cervantes and brought them back to the rooftop of The Shelter (now Bar Standard), where Blu rocked the best set I’ve ever seen from him, full of the hunger of a young rap prodigy trying to make his mark with his debut album.

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Not too long after that, I had the random opportunity to help make a video happen for Blu & Exile’s fantastic “Blu Collar Workers”; flying out to LA and teaming with France aka Eric Maitrepierre, Exile Ramirez & Aaron Rosenbloom to put together a video which to this day has amassed almost 750,000 views as a relatively low budget video from a tiny indie album that defied all odds on a label that most die-hard hip hop heads aren’t even familiar with (Sound In Color). Around that time, Jon Kim also asked me to make a mixtape for him and Blu to sell on tour, which ended up getting shelved when Blu signed his Warner deal (womp womp, I was disappointed, but it was completely understandable based on the situation).

Since then, I’ve caught up with Blu a few times at SXSW over the years (including the performance with him & Tanya Morgan at a Nah Right/Smoking Section showcase above) and stayed a big fan of his music. Then, at the beginning of the year of the year, mutual friend and Portland tastemaker Kenny Fresh (of Fresh Selects fame) reconnected us after Blu asked him for a DJ recommendation. Based on our history, Blu was with it and the results of the project are on bandcamp now, for your listening pleasure. I know I was put on to quite a lot of impressive songs, slept-on gems and extra obscure joints when Blu sent over the tracks, hopefully the mixtape works out the same for you! Enjoy!!!

.:Download Blu – Soul Amazing Part Three (mixed by DJ Low Key):.