Email Author Jack Spencer

2011 Stories by Jack Spencer

• Atmosphere's Slug: We're just doing "our version of Gang Starr"

  published May 25, 2011

  In the youth-driven world of rap music, the word "mature" can seem like a backhanded compliment. Hitting No. 2 on the Billboard rap charts on... More >>

• Soundset Series: Big Boi, De La Soul, Slaughterhouse, and Curren$y

  published May 19, 2011

  Each year, much debate occurs from fans and festival organizers alike about who outside of the Rhymesayers roster is going to play Soundset.  In an attempt to both showcase a wide spectrum of reg... More >>

• Soundset Series: Beyond the Music

  published May 12, 2011

  Please note that Soundset is a hip-hop festival, not a rap festival.  For those who still ask what the difference is, hip-hop refers to the culture in its entirety, which includes turntablism and... More >>

• Juvenile and Mystikal at Epic, 5/6/11

  published May 09, 2011

  Juvenile and MystikalMay 6, 2011Epic NightclubJuvenile and Mystikal were both major stars of mainstream rap in the late 90's and early 2000's, both rising to fame on the strength of songs about asses.... More >>

• Soundset Series: Rhymesayers staples Brother Ali, Blueprint, Grieves & Budo, more

  published May 05, 2011

  Back before Soundset became the annual festival it is today, there was a Rhymesayers-hosted event by the same name that took over, and consistently sold out, the First Ave Mainroom every Wednesday, ho... More >>

• Soundset Series: Up-and-comers MaLLy, Rocky Diamonds, and Duenday

  published Apr 28, 2011

  Soundset, the hip-hop festival thrown by Rhymesayers and populated by some of the biggest names in independent rap, is just around the corner, and Gimme Noise will be running a series of Thursday blog... More >>

• 

  FEATURED STORY

  Talib Kweli talks about his new tour, album, and role models in hip-hop

  published Apr 22, 2011

  On the heels of his latest effort Gutter Rainbows, Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli rolls through Minneapolis this Sunday at Epic, with a live backing band and recent XXL freshman Fred the Godson in tow. ... More >>

• 

  FEATURED STORY

  Diddy Dirty Money with Lloyd and Tyga at Epic, 4/13/11

  published Apr 14, 2011

  Diddy Dirty Money with Lloyd and TygaApril 13, 2011Epic NightclubFor this write-up, I could have skated by making jokes about how Diddy changed his name three times during the show or whatever -- but ... More >>

• Yelawolf with Prof and Muja Messiah at First Avenue, 3/30/11

  published Mar 31, 2011

  Yelawolf with Prof and Muja MessiahMarch 30, 2011First AvenueSeeing Yelawolf at Soundset last year solidified his talent for me, and I was excited to see him headline in a proper sweaty and loud club.... More >>

• Yelawolf

  published March 30, 2011

  The fact that Yelawolf is headlining the Mainroom this Wednesday after opening for Wiz Khalifa's sold-out show in the same spot a mere five months... More >>

• Rapper Prof keeps the party hopping

  published March 2, 2011

  Over the past several years, Prof has built a reputation through a string of memorable local shows, including sets at Get Cryphy, opening for... More >>

• Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards at First Avenue, 1/28/11

  published Jan 31, 2011

  Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards with Maria Isa, I Self Devine, No Bird Sing and moreJanuary 28, 2011First Avenue MainroomThe Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards is kind of an odd event. On Friday night, the First A... More >>

• The Tribe and Big Cats! aim for 'real hip-hop without the elitism'

  published Jan 20, 2011

  "We are not underground artists.  We have no desire to be underground," declares Truth Be Told, MC from the rap trio the Tribe and Big Cats!, during our interview at Waterbury Studios. His state... More >>

• The Tribe & Big Cats (CD-release)

  published January 19, 2011

  The Tribe and Big Cats! debut album, Forward Thinkers, Movers, Shakers, succeeds in appealing to a wide audience of rap fans. Big Cats!... More >>