That Which Is Happening - 10/8
October 7th, 2008
By Jack Spencer
Today at 5th Element, the great beat writer Jake One releases White Van Music, featuring a truly epic amount of guest appearances: Slug, Busta Rhymes, Alchemist, MF Doom, Brother Ali, Prodigy, Keak Da Sneak, Blueprint, and more. The producer who walks the ever-disintegrating line between mainstream and underground has done beats for everybody from De La Soul and I Self Divine to 50 Cent and E-40. A member of G-Unit’s Money Management Group, Jake One releases his album through Rhymesayers, hence the special 5th Element release party: Jake One is there to perform, sell and sign CDs, which come with limited edition instrumental CD and a bunch of promotional goodies; local producers Medium Zach and Lazerbeak go head-to-head in a live beat battle; special appearances from I Self Divine and DJ King Otto; open CDJ sign-up for local producers, provided by Last of the Record Buyers; all this biz hosted by Brother Ali. Damn. This is legend status shit. Be there.
Jake One: White Van Music in-store release party
Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Ave S
Tuesday, October 7th, 5 PM
FREE, all ages
The illustrious Radio K turns 15 on Wednesday, and rather than sneak half-empty Hamm’s beers down to the river like most 15 year olds on their birthday, the U’s nationally renowned college radio station is having a big old jam at First Ave, bringing along friends like Low, Dosh, Sims and Vampire Hands. This smattering of quality local artists represents the great independent music K has provided us with over the years. Come down and support your favorite radio station and enjoy a great show at the same time.
Radio K 15th Anniversary Party, featuring Low, Dosh, Sims and Vampire Hands
First Ave Mainroom, 701 1st Ave N
Wednesday, October 8th, 8 PM
$12, 18+
Kristoff Krane is pretty busy lately. Having recently released his solo debut This Will Work For Now, he’s performing at Eclipse Records on Thursday to celebrate. The album features an impressive array of local artists, and Krane’s production is tense and oddly fitting. The next night he’s performing with his rap group Saturday Morning Soundtrack at the Dinkytowner, then the next night he’s playing with Face Candy, his freestyle rap-improv band with Eyedea and Carnage, at The Nomad. Oh, then he’s gonna open for Murs in Duluth at Pizza Luce come October 18th. Shit, man. The dude keeps busy. The local rapper’s paranoid flow and twisty song arrangements are poised to flood this town; grab a flotation device and enjoy the sickness.
Kristoff Krane
Release Show with Stubborn Belly Fat and Art of Faction: Thursday, October 9
Eclipse Records, 1922 University Ave (St. Paul)
$TBA (likely about 5 bucks or so), all ages
Saturday Morning Soundtrack with Carnage and Mac Spills
Friday, October 10, 9 PM
Dinkytowner Cafe, 412 4th St SE
$TBA (if you pay more than like 5 bucks I’ll be shocked), 18+
Junkyard Wretched CD Release with Face Candy, See More Perspective, El Guante, and DJ Moneyflows
Saturday, October 11, 10 PM
The Nomad World Pub, 519 Cedar Ave
$5, 21+
If for some reason you were foolish enough to sleep on Mike Mictlan’s Hand Over Fist release show, no worries. He’s making a stop in St. Paul with his “brothers from another mother but the same color” Big Quarters and Fam Feud’s Noam the Drummer at an all-ages show at Eclipse Records Friday night. The MC’s energy is unparalleled and the momentum built up from his spectacular live show is sure to make this follow-up performance excellent even for those who attended the first one. Hand Over Fist is one of the best local hip-hop records I’ve ever heard, and the live show is top notch as well. If you haven’t copped the album yet, here is a perfect place to do it. Definitely show up to this; at a scant 5 dollars, your excuse better be better than “St. Paul? Ugh…”
Mike Mictlan + Lazerbeak with Big Quarters and Noam the Drummer
Friday, October 10, 7-10 PM
Eclipse Records, 1922 University Ave
$5, all ages
St. Paul stays poppin’ the next night with another fantastic hip-hop show at the Turf Club. Representing one-half of Cannibal Ox, Def Jux’s Vast Aire released his solo effort Deuces Wild and is now in the midst of a tour to support it. The Wonder Woman-obsessed rapper brings that shit-talking quality flow that kicks bizarre over phat beats. Openers Muja Messiah and Cecil Otter are each dope enough on their own to go see this show, rounding out the powerful bill with a variety of rap stylings. This is a terrific lineup, one that ought to be great to see in the intimate setting of the Turf Club, which is a great place to catch a rap show, especially one of this caliber.
Vast Aire with Muja Messiah, Cecil Otter and The Awkwords
Saturday, October 11, 9 PM
Turf Club, 1601 University Ave
$10, 21+
