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Articles by Blake Hickman
The Thesis: KayelaJ and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $10 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers.
The Thesis: Marco Pavé, Jon Belz, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman Thursday, October 5, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis.
The Thesis: Stevo The Weirdo, Rasheed Jamal, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Thursday, September 7, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers. This month's lineup also includes CHOViE.Get Tickets
The Thesis: Al-One, Woody Beast, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers. This month's lineup also includes Daelonz.Get Tickets
Raquel Divar and Cory O Premiere New Vid at The Thesis
Raquel Divar bringing the heat to The Thesis with Cory O on July 6—photo by Renée LopezLast week, The Thesis celebrated its first-ever live video premiere, a cut from rising star Raquel Divar. Part of what makes the Portland scene so unique is that opposed to other cities, Portland has no signature rap sound of its own so folks like Divar have the opportunity to bring something entirely different to the party and still fit in.
The Thesis: Mighty and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Thursday, July 6, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers. This month's lineup includes Danielseventwo, Raquel Divar and Cory O.Get Tickets
The Thesis: Fountaine and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers. Come celebrate Miss Lopez Media's birthday and also catch Lisa Vazquez, Dre C and Vytell on the bill. Just $5, show up early—come nod your head to this!Get Tickets
Vortex Music Magazine and The Thesis present A Collaborative Happy Hour: Korgy & Bass and Rasheed Jamal at Bloodworks Live Studio
Bloodworks Live Studio1210 SW Sixth Ave. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman, Chris Young Monday, May 15, 2017 - 5:30pm doors, 6pm show all ages free Rapper Rasheed Jamal will bring his incredible, raw flow to the Skype Live Studio stage while the jazzy, instrumental hip-hop duo of Korgy & Bass will provide the live grooves.
The Thesis: Beat Showcase: Sxlxmxn, Bravo Domo, Donte Thomas, Bocha, ePP, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman Thursday, May 4, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers. This month is a beat showcase.
WIN TICKETS: MOGO Music Festival: Mic Capes, Donte Thomas, Nick B, Bocha, Gifted Gab, and Verbz at Star Theater
Star Theater13 NW Sixth Ave. PortlandOR97209 Show Pick by Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman Saturday, March 4, 2017 - 8pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $10 advance, $10 day of show MOGO is a weekend of #PDXmusic made by local musicians in Portland-area venues, all curated by some of the city's most influential fans and musicians. Tonight's gig also features Gifted Gab and is curated by The Thesis. Leave a comment below for your chance to win a pair of tickets! Get Tickets
The Thesis: Bocha, Dead Phone Dummiez, Foday, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Chris Young, Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman Thursday, February 2, 2017 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers.
The Thesis: 2nd Anniversary | Headliners: ROBy, The Last Artful, Dodgr, Blossom, Drae Steves, Cory Kendrix, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Blake Hickman, Mac Smiff Thursday, December 1, 2016 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $10 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday to celebrate day one of its two-year anniversary with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers.
The Thesis Turns Two in December
This December, we’ll be celebrating two years of The Thesis with a pair of shows: our typical First Thursday evening at Kelly’s Olympian on December 1 as well as a very special all-ages edition at Hoop Dreams on December 2. I’ve waxed nostalgic about the early history of this event in this space before, but it’s worth noting just how much has changed since the last pair of anniversary shows we threw back in 2015.
The Thesis: Karma Rivera, I$$A, DMarx, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Blake Hickman, Mac Smiff Thursday, November 3, 2016 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers.
Global Vision, Local Approach: An Interview with I$$A Before First Thursday's The Thesis
I$$A at Peter's Room in December 2015—click to see more photos by Tojo AndrianarivoAll of us involved with The Thesis are looking forward to bringing you a great show this First Thursday, November 3 as always. DMarx will be promoting his latest release, Easel, and Karma Rivera returns to the Kelly's stage after absolutely slaying a headlining performance at a Rontoms Sunday Sessions last month.
Understanding the Realities of Our Black Community in Portland
"When they signed the Bill of Rights, I was considered to be three-fifths of a human being. So, the other two-fifths, I guess I’m from outer space or something." —Portland hip-hop artist Rasheed Jamal Fact: Portland is the whitest major city in the United States. Fact: Oregon has a racist history. Fact: The two are connected and there are lasting effects. Here’s something that white Portland needs to understand about the black mentality. Put yourself in their shoes.
The Thesis: Donte Thomas, Mic Mar, Nick B, and Verbz at Kelly's Olympian
Kelly's Olympian426 SW Washington St. PortlandOR97204 Show Pick by Mac Smiff, Blake Hickman Thursday, October 6, 2016 - 8:30pm doors, 9pm show 21+ $5 day of show In conjunction with We Out Here Magazine, Vortex is now proud to present The Thesis. The monthly hip-hop showcase known for packing out the place returns on First Thursday with another blazing bill of local beat slingers and rhyme slayers.
Vortex Partners with The Thesis; Donte Thomas Set to Headline First Thursday
I started getting involved with the Portland hip-hop scene not long after Portland rapper Illmaculate declared that he would never perform in the city again after a well-chronicled incident at the Blue Monk in 2014. It’s hard to not look back on that incident as something of a bellwether.
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