Please take a second & vote DJ Low Key in the 2012 Westword Music Showcase…A vote for DJ Low Key is a vote for quality music, trust…

.:VOTE DJ LOW KEY FOR BEST HIP HOP DJ:.

It’s Westword Music Showcase time and I’m nominated again (shouts to the nominating committee, I appreciate the recognition & Westword, Denver’s premier music/arts/entertainment magazine)!!! It’s an honor in itself to be nominated, but everyone wants to win. With that said, please do me a favor and head over to the Westword Music Showcase site, find the “DJ – Hip Hop” category towards the bottom (category #38) and vote for your boy. Thanks again y’all, I appreciate the support. Last but not least, props to all the dope DJs around town, both those nominated and not.

Reminder: Only 2 weeks left to apply for Red Bull Music Academy. Musicians, producers, vocalists, beatmakers, DJs and other music makers, make sure you send in your application by Monday, April 2nd!!!

FROM NOW TIL MONDAY, 4/2 at 11:59PM -> I know I’m biased because I work with them, but I think the Red Bull Music Academy is one of the best things in all of music. Whether you’re a music maker of any sort or a just a big music fan, take a look at the details below and see if you don’t agree.

In their own words:

The Red Bull Music Academy is a world-traveling workshop and festival, a platform for those who make a difference in today’s musical landscape.

And beyond that:

This year we touch down in New York, home to the Yankees, Coney Island hot dogs and some of the most game-changing music of the 20th century. To join this journey, you don’t need to be able to play violin at Grade 8 level, name all the members of the Wu-Tang backwards or know how to disassemble an SP-1200 using only a dime and a toothpick. What we are looking for is passion for learning and sharing, enthusiasm for music across genres, and a truly global, open-minded outlook.

Two groups of 30 selected participants – producers, vocalists, DJs, instrumentalists, and allround musical mavericks from all around the globe – come together in a new city each year for two weeks worth of recording sessions, lectures by musical luminaries, and unforgettable late night jams.

With that philosophy and approach, the Red Bull Music Academy has accumulated an unprecedented wealth of music knowledge, fostered a long list of unexpected collaborations and built a storied history of lecturers and participants. Over the last five years I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in the Red Bull Music Academy as Colorado’s representative. With that said, I’m here to answer any questions you might have about the program itself and help local musicians/DJs/vocalists/producers/etc complete everything for their applications by Monday, April 2nd.

So whether you’re in Colorado or not, feel free to hit me up with any questions about the program at justin[at]redbullmusicacademy{dot}com and I’ll be happy to help clarify how things work. You can also find more info at facebook.com/RedBullMusicAcademy, at twitter.com/RBMA and most importantly, on the application itself (download it here). Then from there, download the application form, grab a snack and give yourself a big chunk of time to get started filling it out (think of it as a musical scholarship application; because like all things especially worthwhile, it’s going to take some effort). *Must be 21+.

Last but not least, here’s links to 12 great in-depth lectures featured at RedBullMusicAcademy.com to give you a taste of how thorough the programs is. Check out the site for hundreds more and RedBullMusicAcademyRadio.com for thousands of exceptional podcasts, live shows, interviews & more.

.:?uestlove of the Roots:.

.:Bob Moog:.

.:Mark Ronson:.

.:Skream & Benga:.

.:Danny Krivit:.

.:Dennis Coffey:.

.:A-Trak:.

.:Chuck D:.

.:Just Blaze:.

.:The Mizell Brothers:.

.:Bob Power:.

.:Jay Electronica:.

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 -> 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 (2701 Larimer). More details coming soon!!!

Thursday, 3/15 from 12-8pm in Austin -> Catch me & DJ Trackstar rockin as the house DJs for the Smoking Section/Nah Right/Knuckle Rumbler SXSW Party…

THURSDAY, 3/15 from 12-8pm in Austin -> Catch me & DJ Trackstar rocking as the house DJs for the Smoking Section/Nah Right/Knuckle Rumbler Grand Ole Party at SXSW at Peckerheads (402 E. 6th St) featuring Smif-N-Wessun, Gangrene, Sir Michael Rocks, XV, G-Side, Thurz & Ro Blvd, Main Attraktions, Dee-1, Chevy Woods, Jon Conner & many more.

WEDNESDAY, 3/14 at 4pm in Austin -> Catch me rocking a DJ set at the LG Group’s showcase on Maggie Mae’s (323 E 6th) rooftop, alongside Whygee & Big Wheel, Girlgrabbers, BLK HRTS, DJ Jeff Cox & more. Free BBQ & Bloody Mary’s.

Friday, 3/9 in Houston -> Good Good Fridays x The Solution w/DJ Klinch, Dayta & DJ Low Key at The Flat…

FRIDAY, 3/9 in Houston -> Yes, Houston. We’re excited to be combining forces with acclaimed Houston party Good Good Fridays for our first event outside of Colorado. Catch The Solution in the land of lean for some Good Good Fridays x The Solution w/DJ Klinch, Dayta & DJ Low Key fun at The Flat (1701 Commonwealth). With it being March 9th, we’ll be rocking Biggie extra heavy (no pun intended) and I’ll be bringing down some mixtapes to giveaway. 21+ /// No Cover /// Music at 10 pm /// Never a dress code.

Every Thursday -> The Solution Boulder w/DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & friends at ‘Round Midnight…Upcoming events in March…

THURSDAY, 3/8 -> We celebrate the west in grand fashion at The Solution Boulder at ‘Round Midnight (1005 Pearl St in downtown Boulder) with:

-All the best in west coast hip hop, all night long
-Complimentary chicken & waffles from 10-11pm
-Gin & juice specials, $4 Red Bull/Vodkas & more + win Raekwon tickets
-Music by DJ Low Key & DJ Dozen, including a Nate Dogg tribute set!

THURSDAY, 3/15 -> Art Opening from Dunn The Signtologist at The Solution Boulder w/DJ Sounds Supreme & DJ B Money + win Raekwon tickets

THURSDAY, 3/22 -> Ladies Shoe x Fashion Show w/Installation, more info coming soon!

21+///No Cover///Music at 10pm

Win free tickets to see Raekwon & Freddie Gibbs at the Fox every Thursday in March at The Solution Boulder…

We’ve teamed up with one of our all-time favorite venues, The Fox Theatre, to present the Boulder stop of the Unexpected Victory Tour featuring Raekwon (Wu-Tang Clan), Freddie Gibbs, JD Era & The Foodchain on Friday, 3/30. One of the perks of teaming up with the Fox is that we get the opportunity to give away a pair of tickets to the show every Thursday at The Solution Boulder (at ‘Round Midnight /// 1005 Pearl St) from now until the night before it happens. We’ll be posting a different way to win a free pair of tickets every week for the rest of the month here and at facebook.com/BoulderSolution so stay tuned, or you can click here to buy one if you’re not the contest type.

1st pair: The first person to share this Thursday’s Chicken & Waffles party on facebook and show DJ Low Key on their phone in person this Thursday, 3/8, will get a free pair of tickets to the show (not to mention complimentary chicken & waffles if it’s between 10-11pm, gotta love that!).

Saturday, 2/25 from 6-9pm -> The Art Of Records Opening at Family Affair, curated by Dunn The Signtologist & DJ Low Key…

SATURDAY, 2/25 from 6-9pm -> Over the last few decades album art has gone from a 12” canvases to a 2” screens, and that’s usually the best-case scenario for the often incredible art that accompanies music releases.  Landmark albums like A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory, Nas’s Illmatic and De La Soul is Dead have instantly recognizable covers that are embedded in music and art lovers’ psyches forever, but the 12” as a canvas has become a rarity in the public eye.  Everyone from music and art lovers to average people on the street still connect to both the album art and 12” format, yet we rarely take the time to honor the truly great ones.  The Art Of Records is an exhibit that aims to do just that; focusing on the legacy of exceptional art accompanying exceptional music and the idea of introducing both to a new generation.

The Art Of Records combines art, music and tradition to celebrate and honor the rich history and mystique of record cover art, 12″ vinyl and the artists that create it (both musically and graphically). Curated by Dunn the Signtologist and DJ Low Key, the exhibit features a series of classic 12″ album and single covers re-imagined and recreated by top artists in Denver.  The 12” covers will also be on display and the concept comes full circle with DJ Low Key playing an all vinyl set of the featured records as the night’s soundtrack.  Please join us at Family Affair (2048 Larimer St downtown) as we recognize and pay homage to the talented assortment of artists that make The Art Of Records so important to us all.  Complimentary drinks /// No Cover /// All Ages.

#TheSolution5

Every Thursday -> The Solution Boulder w/DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & friends at ‘Round Midnight…We’ve got Tanya Morgan, Courtland Urbano, Turner Jackson, B Money, Dunn The Signtologist, chicken & waffles and a fashion show to get things started…

EVERY THURSDAY -> The Solution Boulder has officially hit ‘Round Midnight (1005 Pearl St).  Every Thursday night you can catch DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme and some of #COHipHop’s top DJs spinning the best in hip hop and more.  We’re teaming up with Installation (easily one of the best shoe stores in the state, if not country), Red Bull and some other friends of our to get things off to a proper start.  Check out what we’ve got lined up for the next few weeks at The Solution Boulder:

2/16: Amatuer Ape’s own, Boulder favorite DJ B Money comes through for a guest set.

2/23: #TheSolution5 hits Boulder w/special guests Tanya Morgan (XXL Freshman List 2009 /// Brooklyn) + Courtland Urbano (fka Xperiment /// Portland) + Turner Jackson Star Destroyer Listening Party at 10pm + Sounds Supreme & DJ Dozen.

3/1: The Solution’s Chicken & Waffles (all west coast music, all night, complimentary chicken & waffles til 11, Nate Digg tribute and gin & juice specials).

3/8:  Ladies Shoe & Fashion Show with Installation + Art Opening from Dunn The Signtologist.  More details coming soon.

21+ /// No Cover /// Music at 10.

#TheSolution5

What is #TheSolution5?

(click to enlarge flyer)

February 2012 marks 5 years of The Solution and before anything else can be mentioned, we have to thank everyone in Denver and beyond who’s come out to the party.  Whether it was in our earliest days at the Shelter/Milk Bar or at our longest running home, The Funky Buddha, or maybe you just learned about us via The Solution Showcase at the Meadowlark over the last month or two, it doesn’t matter; we wouldn’t be able to do anything cool without your love and support.  With that said, a lot has changed since we started the party and we want to make sure everyone knows about what we’re up to going forward.

As you might have noticed, the party has grown beyond just a club night.  Last year, we embarked on a statewide tour with Tanya Morgan, TiRon, Whygee, King F.O.E. & Boonie Mayfield, threw our first BBQ (with our good friends Family Affair) and started a monthly spinoff based around showcasing new talent, called The Solution Showcase, at the Meadowlark.  This year we’ve already launched The Solution Boulder at ‘Round Midnight, we’re about to take the party outside of our great state for some collabs with like-minded parties in other cities and this month, we’re going to celebrate our 5 years with 5 events that we call The Solution 5 aka #TheSolution5.

With that in mind, what hasn’t changed about The Solution is that we’re still dedicated to making sure every event we throw is something we’d wanna go to, something fun and, hopefully, something a little more unique than your average party.  With that in mind, let us tell you about what we’ve got in store for #TheSolution5.

Wednesday, February 22nd we’re teaming up with world renowned Red Bull Music Academy for what’s shaping up to be a one of a kind celebration of the man who was quite possibly the greatest hip hop producer ever, J Dilla.  We’re throwing the party at Beta Nightclub (1909 Blake St) and it’s an unprecedented event to hear Dilla’s music on one of the best sound systems in the world.  As if that wasn’t enough, we’re bringing out the legendary DJ Spinna (New York) and frequent Dilla collaborators and Detroit icons Waajeed & Phat Kat out to celebrate with us.  Phat Kat will be rocking with Dameion Hines and Q-Knox of Big Wheel, who’ll also be performing a tribute to Jay Dee of their own.  The Solution DJs aka DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme and Lazy Eyez will be on the turntables to kick things off and with Dilla’s catalogue, you’re gonna miss some incredible music if you show up late.

Thursday, February 23rd is The Solution Showcase #3 at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St) and the lineup is ridiculous.  We’ve got Trackademicks (of A-Trak’s Fool’s Gold Records) and DJ Tap 10 coming out from the Bay, bringing a trademark slap that’s one of our favorite sounds out.  Black Actors (Quiz fka Sunkenstate and .anansi) is our Denver feature and the one and only Kid Hum will be making his live production debut, plus DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez will get the party started.

Saturday, February 25th is the opening of The Art Of Records at Family Affair downtown (2048 Larimer St) from 6-9pm.  It’s an art show based around classic hip hop album artwork being interpreted by top Colorado-based artists, curated by Dunn the Signtologist and DJ Low Key.  We’ll be displaying the actual 12″ album covers next to the artwork and DJ Low Key will be spinning the records on display throughout the evening to bring things full circle.

Sunday, February 26th we’re excited to present The Solution Beat Battle at La Rumba (99 W. 9th Ave).  A dozen of Denver’s top producers will face off head to head to see who has the best beats in town.  Producer extraordinaire Boonie Mayfield will be rocking a live beat showcase, “legends in the making” (according to Ali Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest) and new school vets Tanya Morgan will be performing and we still have more on the bill to be announced shortly.  If you’re a producer or beatmaker looking to enter, check out this post for more info.

Every Thursday night in Boulder, don’t miss our fifth event of the #TheSolution5, The Solution Boulder, at ‘Round Midnight (1005 Pearl St).   In the coming weeks, we’ll be throwing our infamous chicken & waffles party up there, featuring a performance from Tanya Morgan, hosting a women’s shoe and fashion show with Installation (an easy contender for best shoe store in the whole state) and a whole lot more.

So thanks again for everything Colorado, you’re the best. Here’s to the next 5 years and beyond.