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
Guides
Recognition in the universe of hip-hop rarely comes easily, if at all — but following their 25360 Award for Best Video (“’90s Shit” directed by Erik Soderquist), the duo known as EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes have been christened once more by the South Sound hip-hop community as Tacoma’s Best Hip-Hop
Music
I can remember my very first mixtape. It was the summer of 1986 and my cousin went back to Harlem to visit his family. He returned with a cassette tape that would forever change my sister's and my life. It was a live radio mix from WBLS 107.5 FM's legendary
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Legendary producer and MC Warren G will grace Tacoma this weekend, headlining a dope show for any hip-hop head to consume. Joining the legend on stage will be Tacoma's own Fice, Island Trybe, and EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes with DJ Slimrock - known collectively as City Hall. One Warren Griffin III,
Music
Legendary producer and MC Warren G will grace Tacoma this weekend, headlining a dope show for any hip-hop head to consume. Joining the legend on stage will be Tacoma's own Fice, Island Trybe, and EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes with DJ Slimrock - known collectively as City Hall. One Warren Griffin III,
Music
Sitting in his hotel room overlooking the land of the mighty Lummi Nation, Anthony Fernandes, aka Block Savage of Savage Family, is thinking about his future and his people. Teaching at a music mentor academy at the Lummi Nation Reservation just north of Bellingham has refreshed Fernandes, and recharged the
Music
More than just a party rocker, the voice of the party or "that guy playing the music," the DJ is the foundation of all of hip-hop. These days, however, somehow DJs get lost in the enormous culture of hip-hop and clubs. From being underpaid to under-recognized, these men and women
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Canadian wonder-MC, Moka Only (aka Ron Contour), has been doing his thing as a rhyme-sayer and microphone master for more than a decade strong. And I mean strong - like army strong. The veteran of the rap circuit has found his way into the hearts and ears of the toughest
Music
Canadian wonder-MC, Moka Only (aka Ron Contour), has been doing his thing as a rhyme-sayer and microphone master for more than a decade strong. And I mean strong - like army strong. The veteran of the rap circuit has found his way into the hearts and ears of the toughest
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The title of DoughKain's album is blunt: Bitch You Got Options. But he says it and he means it! "‘Bitch, you got options' is my saying," DoughKain laughs. His debut album features hip-hop, some G-ism, some street tales and it's "definitely lyrical," he proclaims. Tacoma's Viaduct will host DoughKain's CD
Music
The worlds of hip-hop and entertainment are full of illusions: mirages and images of luxury, riches and material wealth. Girls wearing next to nothing, men with money to burn and the most lavish of lavish lifestyles. It's not like that. I am picturing the real lifestyle of hip-hoppers in the Pacific
Music
The public school system is failing. Failing the community and students - failing its dedicated instructors, too. With cuts in arts, music programs and extracurricular activities designed to enhance the ability of students to think creatively, artistically and independently, it's no surprise student performance is less than impressive. Teachers, family environment and
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He keeps rizing to new levels in the game. Rizeberg, one of Tacoma's veteran MC/poets, had to be a part of Grit City Fest. No doubt. He stays busy with dope material to deliver on stage and has the album credits from the studio to match his hustle on stage.
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EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes have been earning respect in the 253 with their witty, original and Tac-Town-centric lyricism. Case in point: their peer-voted 2009 Weekly Volcano 25360 Award in the "Best Video" category for "'90s Shit." The blue-collar MCs will take the stage during a dope Grit City Fest
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One of Tacoma's most notorious duos and most slept on acts, Strik and Krusal (pronounced Strick and Crucial) will represent the after-party portion of Thursday's jump-off night for The Grit City Fest. They'll take the stage at The Den after a series of artist workshops. The veteran duo is
Music
It is an awesome thing to have a music, arts and community festival so aptly named to represent a city. Example: Tacoma's Grit City Fest. The Grit City Fest celebrates and showcases all things Tacoma, and why not? Tacoma is probably the most blue-collar, most diverse, most "hood" and most notorious
Music
Pioneer is a not a title to be used lightly and tossed about like a Nerf ball, but those who earn the distinction should be recognized and respected for their accolades. Steve "O" Brown is one such pioneer. Specifically, Brown has been a major player in the Northwest music industry,
Music
Gangstas. Hipsters. B-Boys/Girls. Juggalos. The Skinny Pantsers? Who knows? There are so many different sub-genres and clicks stemming from hip-hop culture right now. It's hard to keep up with who's who, and it's even more difficult to nail down the specific characteristics that accompany these newly emerging contingents in hip-hop.
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The Lacey-based duo of LA Swagga is comprised of the thin and dark chocolate-toned lyricist and MC battle champion, LA White, and the thicker businessman-turned-MC, caramel-colored personality, Swagg. Both in their early twenties, they attended high school in Lacey and grew up together. The fact both LA White and Swagg
Music
May 16-23 is Hip-Hop Appreciation Week as deemed by the great MC/DJ/B-Boy/philosopher, KRS-ONE. It is a week out of the year to focus on the culture of hip-hop, its history and ways to educate people about it. Hip-hop is a culture created from the forgotten crevices and cracks in the
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In the biggest field of comedians ever to compete in the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition, you can imagine how shocked I was to see "Seattle's Nate Jackson" bring the prize back to the Puget Sound. Although the brother gets around - doing his thing from Olympia to Tacoma to
