The artists from February’s “Welcome to the West ” underground hip-hop show return to celebrate Black Art Appreciation Month with a few more artists on the performance roster.
The Black Student Union, the Project Blowed Family, AfterLife Recordz and DCF Entertainment present two all-ages underground hip-hop shows, “Blow Up” and “Blow Out,” featuring Los Angeles artists Aceyalone, DJ Dr. Ez, Volume-10, Busdriver, Chillin’ Villain Empire, Hip-Hop Kclan, Legion, Cotton Candi, DJ Wicked and locals DJ Shobanon and Shortround at 8 p.m. today at the EMU Ballroom. Tickets are $12 for students and $14 for the general public at the EMU Ticket Office. Tickets are also available at www.fastixx.com with additional service charges.
“This is a rare occasion to have so many artists all in Eugene at the same time,” said Daniel Firtel, founder and promoter of the local company DCF Entertainment.
Aceyalone is the leader of Project Blowed, a company that has produced popular underground artists such as Jurassic-5, Firtel said.
Firtel said he wanted to put together a diversified show that would represent a cross section of various styles of hip-hop across the board. He said Aceyalone will impress audiences with his prophetic messages, Busdriver will move them with fast rap rhythms and Cotton Candi will add a feminine touch to the ensemble.
“Some are more gangster rap, some are more political, some are more spiritual,” said Riddlore?, a hip-hop artist with Chillin’ Villain Empire, a group who recently returned from a 17-show tour in Germany.
With Aceyalone promoted as one of the headliners for the concert, Mohammed Jalloh, program coordinator at the Black Student Union, said he expects the show to draw a larger crowd than the February concert.
Jalloh said with the facilities available in the ballroom, this show should also see improvements in the sound system.
“It’s good hip-hop from people who really care about their music,” Riddlore? said. “It comes across on stage.”