Music | Shredded Beast Music Festival: Artist Spotlight Sam Lachow

June 24, 2015

Sam Lachow is a producer, songwriter, rapper, videoapher, director, and editor of video and music. Raised in both Seattle and New York City he's been making videos since elementary school, and as a seven-grar began a group called Shankbone. Sam began directing and producing music videos with Shankbone, and went on to create videos for various other artists.

In 2011 Sam released his debut album as a solo artist, titled "Brand New Bike". The album was produced entirely by Sam utilizing many live instruments from musicians based in Seattle and New York. The next year Sam released 2 EP's, and produd/dicted dozens of music videos from the projects on his YouTube channel, which now has over 4 million views.

After spending the majority of 2013 touring, Sam put out 2 projects in 2014. In August he released his second full length album Hucklerry, then followed up with the 80 Bars EP in November. Both projects are available at samlaow.c.

Music | Shredded Beats Music Playlist 3

June 22, 2015

It's Shredded Beats Week here at Ultra5280 and we are giving you a taste of some of the awesome music you will be hearing this coming weekend. Our friends over at So- Gnar have been curating some awesome playlist to get you familiar with the artist at this years festival. Have a listen and then run out and grab your tickets.

Here at So-Gnar, as the underdogs, we consistently make an effort to feature the most progressive artists in the industry. SO, this June 26th and 27th for the Shredded Beats Festival, we are bringing TWO nights of incredible talent to 5 different venues in Denver. By featuring some of the best national and local acts in hip-hop & electronica we hope to introduce some young talent to more ears, and party our asses off. Tickets are now on sale! $20 starting price and two-day passes will be available. Grab your all access passes while you still can.

Music | Shredded Beats Music Playlist 2

June 16, 2015

With the Shredded Beats Street Festival fast approaching today we debut part two of the music playlist curated by So Gnar. Tickets are still available and going fast so be sure to cop yourself a pair.

TWO nights of the best hip-hop & electronic dance music Denver has to offer at 5 venues?! Mark your calendars now. Tickets are now on sale! $20 starting price and two-day passes will be available. Grab your all access passes while you still can.

Two Day Passes $40!: http://bit.ly/1E2y8ve

Music | Shredded Beats Music Playlist 1

June 9, 2015

The Shredded Beats Festival is only a few weeks away and our good friends at So Gnar have been curating some awesome playlist of this years festival artist. We will be sharing these in the next couple weeks for you to check out. Tickets are still available and are selling fast so make sure you get yours. BUY TICKETS HERE! Listen to music from The Reminders, Goldlink, Sam Lachow, Late Night Radio and more.

Music | Shredded Beats Street Festival: Artist Spotlight Goldlink

June 4, 2015

With the Shredded Beats Street Festival only a few weeks away we wanted to introduce some of the artist playing this years fest. For of those of you unfamiliar with Goldlink, he recently played a Red Bull Sound Select performance here in Denver a few months ago. Today he is gracing the cover of XXL as part of their "2015 XXL Freshman Class". GoldLink made it off the strength of his amazing debut mixtape God Complex, which drew the attention of Rick Rubin and garnered critical acclaim. You can check him out live starting next week on his first headlining tour (dates and mixtape below). The mixtape is a musical journey that has hints of soul mixed with house. He brings the music alive with carefully orchestrated lyrics that attract the listener and delivers a unique growing element of sound. Be sure to check out Goldlink at this years Shredded Beats Street Festival taking place June 26-27. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

Shredded Beats feat. NaS | Cervantes Ballroom | November 15

November 18, 2013

Hip Hop is Dead? Some thoughts on Friday’s Nas show at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom

Back in 2006 Nas (@Nas), one of hip hop’s greats was the subject of much controversy when he released the album Hip Hop is Dead. Many rappers, especially from the South, were offended by the title. They interpreted the meaning as a shot towards their rising popularity and dominance of the genre of music. Nas went on to explain that the title had various meanings including, 1) to stir up excitement and discussions about the current and future of the genre/culture, and 2) to describe the lack of power that artists had at the time.

When I arrived at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on Friday evening, I was listening to an extensive Nas playlist that I made that morning. As I was about to give my ticket to the ticket handler, the song “Carry On Tradition” from the earlier mentioned album started playing. I looked around at the other people at the venue and reflected on where rap music was at; 6 years after he challenged the rap world to reflect. I saw an assortment of people, from young people who were probably at their first concert to couples who appeared to be in their mid to late 40’s. The merchandise counter was covered with local and new artists trying to market their brand. Artist Justin Bua (@JustinBUA) of New York City painted as he was inspired by the different performing acts. There was even an Austin based band, Black Pistol Fire (@BlackPistolFire), delivering a punch-in-the-face brand of music that reminded me of the southern equivalent of Black Keys or White Stripes. To say that an “event” was happening does not give the night justice. I was watching a “resurrection” of artist independence. The state of rap and the independent artist has reached new peaks. When Nas said hip hop is dead, he challenged performers to not just ‘try to get signed’ or put out records that your label wants you to make. He wanted people to take charge of their creative direction. He knew the preservation of hip hop is dependent upon the individual being able to make their brand and share it as they decide to.

Nas often refers to himself as a hip-hop prophet. Even if you aren’t a fan of his, take a look at who’s on top of the genre: Jay-Z and RocNation, Kanye West and GOOD Music, Eminem, Rick Ross and MMG, Kendrick Lamar and TDE, ASAP Rocky and the ASAP Mob, Tyler the Creator and Odd Future. “The Culture”, as Kanye eloquently put it during a recent BBC interview, is being primarily influenced by artists taking control of their path. Friday’s show displayed the same behaviors. Justin Bua, Sol, Black Pistol Fire, Dillon Cooper, Sol, and the other acts each used Friday night as another step toward their future, whatever that phrase means for them.

Nas performed the majority of his major hits, including “Made You Look”, “If I Ruled the World”, “One Mic”, and “Got Yourself a Gun”. His stage presence and bravado is undeniable. Even if you don’t aspire to be a rap icon take notes from Nas: Be yourself, only compromising for beneficial evolution, unafraid to challenge today to ensure a better tomorrow.

-Fred Jones