The Latest in Portland Hip-Hop

Dame D.O.L.L.A. NICK DEPAULA

Summer ain’t over yet, folks. There’s still lots of sun to squint at, music to hear, and fun to be had before the days start to get painfully short. Take advantage of the last few weeks of the season by getting out and enjoying what’s left of these warm nights. (Or, if you simply can’t do it anymore, just stay home and watch Maarquii’s latest video.)

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Mic Check: Thank You Portland

Yep, it’s true: Mic Check, the bi-monthly last-Thursday hip-hop show at the White Eagle Saloon, is going on an indefinite hiatus. “There are so many new monthly events going right now, I feel like we’re leaving things better than when we started,” says Cliff Stanford (AKA DJ Klyph), one of the showcase’s founders. The Mic Check brand will still be around to host special one-off shows, album releases, and such, but as for its regular local hip-hop showcase? The platform is hanging up its hat for now. The final Mic Check will feature rapper/producer JxJury as its headliner, as well as Inland Empire’s Cam Archer, Portland artist Rambo Rich, plus a beat set from Shaheed, whose sound focuses on soul and a ’90s hip-hop vibe. (Thurs Aug 29, 9 pm, White Eagle Saloon, 836 N Russell, $8 adv, $10 door)

Labor Day Bash: Fountaine, YoungShirtMayne, Scooty, White Lotus

Whether he’s hosting a show, DJing at Church, or playing a set of original hip-hop tunes, Fountaine is always entertaining. (Check out Rain? or H.F.I.L., available only on Bandcamp.) This intimate show at Mississippi Studios will also showcase the fun and lively YoungShirtMayne, plus two Portland-based R&B singers: Scooty of the Produce Organics collective, and White Lotus, who will no doubt play songs from her highly enjoyable 2018 EP, Revitalization. (Sun Sept 1, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, FREE)

The Thesis: Illmac, Raquel Divar, Laine

Back in 2014, after a hip-hop show at the Blue Monk was cut short due to police presence, Illmaculate (AKA Illmac) declared he wouldn’t play another show in Portland as long as law enforcement continued to target events in the hip-hop community. Since then, the Blue Monk has closed, and the Liquor Store has popped up in its place. And with more regular hip-hop showcases in Portland than ever, Illmac is long overdue for a Thesis set. The September installment also features the talents of rising local star Raquel Divar, who recently put out the very repeatable, Jvnitor-produced single “Cherry.” Portland-based rapper Laine makes his Thesis debut.

(Thurs Sept 5, 9 pm, Kelly’s Olympian, 426 SW Washington, $10; w/Verbz)

Damian Lillard’s #PDXBeThere Veterans Benefit Concert

Following the release of the NBA star/rapper’s new album Big D.O.L.L.A., Damian Lillard, AKA Dame D.O.L.L.A., announced #PDXBeThere, a full day of music to benefit and raise awareness for military vets. If Lillard can simultaneously please his fans and make a difference, I say good on him. The concert’s lengthy lineup pairs Bay Area artists like Brookfield Duece and Danny from Sobrante with Portland standouts such as Mic Capes, Logan Lynn, Cassow, Cool Nutz, Samuel the 1st, Mic Crenshaw, and more. Proceeds will benefit seven organizations that help provide resources to veterans. (Sat Sept 7, 3:30-10 pm, Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel, Ridgefield, WA, $15-25; w/Mojo Holler, Tommy Graven, 45 Away, Mooyagi, DJ Fatboy, Drae Slapz)

Maarquii’s “Full Outfit” Video

On August 14, Portland-based genderqueer rapper/singer/dancer Maarquii dropped their highly anticipated visual for “Full Outfit,” a highlight from their debut full-length C.A.B.O. The song contains overtly sexual lyrics like “Sometimes he don’t treat me good but I still ride his dick though/all up in my asshole, he curl all of these 10 toes.” So yeah, I think we all knew the video would be sexy, and that Maarquii would be serving some serious looks (styled by Sean Chamberlain and Diona Jackson). But the video, co-directed by Maarquii and Evan James Benally Atwood, also shines by way of stellar choreography (TJ Yale), and the gorgeous on-location shooting at Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. Maarquii had quite a team working on this one, and it shows in the quality of the visuals.