Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate from Washington State University, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio every Friday at 3pm on jose@devastatorgroup.com
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Fresh off of tour with Too $hort, Equipto will come from The Bay to Olympia for the Toast To The Grads Celebration at The China Clipper in downtown Olympia Saturday, May 30. Equipto, renown for his underground presence as an elite MC and his acclaimed collaborations with Bay Area legend
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Free health care in the City of O? For those who do not know, The City of O is the state capital … and thanks to a group called Olympia Common Action, there is a free workshop to address the increasingly popular movement of free health care being held on Thursday,
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Canadian-turned Portlander Josh Martinez and Sleep of Old Dominion pay another valuable visit to the 25360 as they rock the release party for their highly anticipated collabo album, Swine Country at The China Clipper Friday, April 24 during Olympia Arts Walk. The eccentric and lauded MCs came together as Chicharones to
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Legendary Hip-Hopper and former member of the now-defunct (about to be put back together again) Fat Boys, Kool Rock Ski aka Kool Rock, has dropped a new 4-track record titled, Party Time. The former heavyweight MC with a dope voice and attack-rhyme-flow has sizzled down to about 187 pounds and
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Cool Out TV celebrates 18 years A milestone was met this past Monday, April 6, when Seattle-based Cool Out TV Network celebrated its 18th birthday in grand fashion at Contour in Seattle. Contour is renowned for having the longest running hip-hop night on the West Coast at least — hosted by
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The subject of females on the microphone is seemingly always one of “consciousness versus sluttiness” and how to bridge the gap of the female MC. Well, ever since Sha Rock and Lisa Lee rapped “Us Girls” on the big screen of Beat Street, there has always been a diversity of
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Hip-hop is such a unique culture. The music, the street, the sound, the feel … The people. The people are remarkable, and I had the tremendous opportunity of meeting one of the giants in hip-hop and really an iconic hero whom I admire. Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries visited
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The umbrella of Olympia hip-hop promotion powerhouse Homeland Security can be a big shadow to operate beneath. As the only booking group/promotion company that I have witnessed consistently throw shows at least twice a month for more than a year now, HS has established a lot of credibility in terms
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Having been a DJ since I was 6 years old has been a blessing and a challenge. I grew up spinning (actually “scratching”) on my mother’s Technic turntable — yeah, just one! So, recently I have been asked by cats interested in the art and culture of the DJ, “What
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If you are looking for the DOPE hip-hop, the promotion team with the juice is bringing it … again. Homeland Security out of Olympia continues to consistently deliver quality hip-hop shows, with an emphasis on showcases for local and upcoming acts. Right up the pike is not different … The
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M-1 of Dead Prez spits his gift at the Evergreen State College Fresh off of his redeye flight from New York, M-1 laid his game and philosophy down to about 300 student, staff and civilians at The Evergreen State College Longhouse in Olympia Feb. 19. Sponsored by The Evergreen State College chapter
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They came, they saw and they rubbed elbows with a legend. The people that is. And power to them! At Tacoma’s Longshoreman’s Hall last week, the people were in full force to witness the wisdom and hear the words of Black Panthers co-founder Bobby Seale. I had the opportunity to
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“Ice Cube … What about the kids? What about the muthafuckin’, kids?” — Little Boy from Amerikkka’s Most Wanted, Ice Cube What about the kids? We blame them for society going down the drain … Elders are afraid of the youth … They are poised to be the most underachieving generation
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Following his birthday celebrations in mid-January, it is always easy and fashionable to announce, declare and idolize Dr. Martin Luther King for Black History Month. However, he is often looked at in a one-dimensional, non-threatening and passive fashion, which is certainly not accurate. It is important to note along with
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Yo! Spring is upon us all (or at least a couple months away, depending upon the ground hog) and naturally the urge for rappers and MCs to joust for lyrical supremacy arises. Fresh Blends MC Battle Feb. 4 at Hell’s Kitchen in Tacoma. The lineup includes Tacoma standout MC, John
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My mother says, “All things are possible through the Lord!” Not to be religious and thangs like that, but following the inauguration of Pres. Barack Obama, I have to agree with Wyclef when he rapped, “Anything Can Happen” from his classic, The Carnival Part 1. Less than four years ago rappers
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OK, happy New Year! But not so much for everybody — namely one Oscar Grant from our sister working class city of Oakland, Calif. Have you had the opportunity to witness misconduct on behalf of law enforcement with your own two eyes? As if the Rodney King beating from nearly
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Ah, the aftermath of The 1st Annual 25360 Awards. The response has been great – a lot of interest was generated. Tacoma, Olympia and the surrounding villes of The 25360 spoke aloud with emotion, disagreement, agreement, controversy, light insults and nominations and prospective choices of their own. Like The 25360
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(Don’t start trippin’ if you ain’t in here!) So, I’m leanin’ back enjoying my fall of 2008 (my presidential candidate won!) contemplating all of my years as a contributor, creator, writer, journalist and editor with many different publications from Seaspot in Seattle to RapSheet in Los Angeles to The Source in
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The new year is right around the block. Read up next week as I dish out the 1st Annual Live From I-5: The 25360 Awards. Everyone (besides me) is eligible for recognition for the 25360’s MCs, DJs, Activists, Hustler, Album, Mixtape, Entrepreneur and ‘other’ awards of the year for 2008.
