Last year, if you followed the social media activity of Dallas rapper-by-way-of-Waco DQ Hampton, you probably noticed his regular use of the phrase “The Build Up 2018” as a mantra and/or hashtag. This referred to a series of activities he planned for himself to further his career: honing his craft,…
The hip-hop scene in North Texas is as vibrant as ever. In terms of skill and diversity, local artists can hold their own against any major market. Rappers are signing with major labels, producers are winning Grammys and are sought after by A-list figures in rap and R&B. It’s no…
Oscar-winning director Spike Lee is officially a fan of Dallas hip-hop. Four years ago he selected Buffalo Black’s song “Enter the Void” for the soundtrack to his movie Da Sweet Blood of Jesus. Yesterday, via Instagram, Dallas’s prodigal emcee So-So Topic, announced that Spike Lee has chosen his song “Expl0de!”…
Hip-hop lends itself to collaboration more than any other genre. You’re not likely to find a rock, pop or country song with four lead singers from different bands, a scenario commonplace in rap music. When information is first released about a new song by rapper A featuring rapper B, it…
Admit it, you love playing online quizzes, the kind where you pick your favorite potato and find out which kind of ocean plankton you should be rinsing your colon with. We have something much better: a fun quiz that will also teach you something of value. Also, it’s the shortest…
For anyone who pursues a career in the music industry, they will most likely be faced with the decision to remain in their hometown or move in hopes of finding greener pastures. This is especially true for DJs, specifically those whose primary clientele are promoters who hire them to perform…
Dallas-based hip-hop producer Sikwitit has hit his stride over the last five years. He’s won numerous beat battle tournaments, produced the lion’s share of Bobby Sessions’ RVLTN (Chapter 1) and crafted tracks for Snow Tha Product, Dave East and 21 Savage, to name a few. It’s arguable his most impressive achievement…
The DFW music scene now more than ever is jam-packed with talent across all genres. DFW musicians are achieving an elusive trifecta of diversity, quality and quantity. We’ve compiled a list of artists who are the textbook definition of up-and-coming. Others are more well-known with established careers. What they have…
The full lineup for the third Annual Fortress Festival was released this week and it is arguably the most formidable and balanced offering from Fort Worth’s premier music event to date. Chart-topping hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd, synth-pop trio CHVRCHES, R&B singer/songwriter Tinashe and London-based electronic indie-pop group Superorganism were added…
The 30th annual Dallas Observer Music Awards marks three decades of celebrating incredible local music. Some hometown heroes have gone on to play arena shows, some pack up their bags and head to Nashville or L.A. or New York, and some find that DFW is the perfect home for creating…
Lights All Night, the seminal North Texas music festival, released its full lineup this week. This year will be the ninth edition of LAN, which has become an institution within the EDM community that attracts artists and fans from all over the world. Headliners will include Diplo, Excision, Gucci Mane,…
For those not familiar with Stone Mecca, here’s a brief introduction: He’s a veteran guitarist, vocalist and producer/engineer based in Dallas by way of Southern California. His music career began in the latter role, working with such hip-hop luminaries as Ice Cube, Snoop Dog and Organized Noize. On Nov. 9,…
In recent years, concert promoter Lorenzo Zenteno, owner of Premier Live, has played a major role in organizing large scale hip-hop and R&B concerts throughout DFW, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Three weeks ago, Zenteno announced he was taking his promotion of music to the next level with the launch…
Renowned Grammy Award-winning jazz musician Roy Hargrove died Friday at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan at the age of 49. According to his manager via a Facebook post, Hargrove’s death was due to cardiac arrest related to complications from his battle with kidney disease. He reportedly had been on dialysis…
Lights All Night, the North Texas destination music festival coming to Dallas on Dec. 28-29, released its full lineup this week. This year will be the ninth edition of LAN, which has grown to become an institution within the EDM community and attracts artists and fans from all over the…
The first round of details for the third annual Fortress Festival were released this week. 2019’s installment will be Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28, at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, which has hosted the festival each year of its existence. Headlining the festival will be Forth Worth native…
The Nines is gearing up for an epic party celebrating Dallas hip-hop this weekend with the first installment of DallaFornication. The event is 2 p.m. Sunday and features 15 hip-hop and R&B acts, along with a handful of DJs and visual artists. Sunday’s lineup will include performances from Rakim Al-Jabbaar,…
The partnership between High Standardz and Def Jam continues to yield new career benchmarks for Bobby Sessions. Sessions landed the title track and lead single for the movie The Hate You Give, which also features vocals by the Dallas band Medicine Man Revival’s Keite Young and production by High Standardz…
Larry Gayao, who performs under the name Larry g(EE) has experienced many of the cautionary tales associated with pursuing a career in the music industry. After taking an extended break from recording, he’s now focused on making a comeback during the final quarter of 2018. Gayao’s latest single “Central Valley”…
2018 is almost over, which means Lights All Night is right around the corner. For nearly a decade, LAN has been the preferred way for thousands of EDM fans to close out the year immersed in blissful sensory overload. For the fourth year in a row, Dallas Market Hall will…
The Southern roots of singer-songwriter Lera Lynn run deep. She was born in Houston, raised in Georgia and forged her career in the competitive Nashville music scene. Her role on True Detective’s season 2 in 2015 had a galvanizing effect on her career. Since then she’s used that momentum to ensure…
Over the last year, Dallas hip-hop soul vocalist M3CCA has built a reputation for providing a unique live music experience that is both sensual and spiritual. She recently made her first foray into creating visuals to accompany her music with the release of her first video for her song “Insecurity…
