Jenni Moore
Jenni is an Alaska-born, Oregon-raised writer living in Portland. Read More
The Portland Hip-Hop Scene
Brush up on the city’s best hip-hop artists, showcases, shops and news outlets.
Jenni Moore
Jenni is an Alaska-born, Oregon-raised writer living in Portland. Read More
You may have seen Aminé on Jimmy Fallon or listened to the new album from Dodgr. But how much do you really know about Rose City hip-hop? Dive into the past, present and future of the Portland hip-hop scene with our expert guide to its best performers, stores and more.
History of Hip-Hop in Portland
It would be irresponsible to discuss the recent history of hip-hop in Portland without touching on the discrimination and gentrification the scene has endured. Artists, fans, journalists and promoters — especially those from the old school — have experienced a slew of club and venue closures. This has made it even harder for hip-hop to exist in this historically less-than-diverse city. Crown Room, Harlem, Someday Lounge and Beauty Bar all shuttered in the last few years.
The most infamous closure, perhaps, was that of beloved jazz venue Blue Monk in 2014. The closure followed a highly publicized example of local law enforcement targeting hip-hop and rap shows in Portland. A 2014 show featuring Luck One (now Hanif), Mikey Vegaz and battle rap champion Illmaculate was cut short by the arrival of more than a dozen police and gang enforcement officers. Police blocked off the street and limited access to the event, claiming there was overcrowding in the basement. Illmaculate, the show’s headliner, left the venue in protest before beginning his set. “I will not perform in this city as long as the blatant targeting of Black culture and minorities congregating is acceptable common practice,” he tweeted. The Blue Monk closed a few weeks later.
Today, Portland’s hip-hop scene is thriving and seems to have shaken off much of its negative reputation with public officials. In 2015, then-mayor Charlie Hales even designated Oct. 15 as “Portland Hip-hop Day” — a gesture meant to signify inclusion for the community.
Portland Hip-Hop Showcases
In recent years, several regular hip-hop showcases have blossomed around town. Here are a few to check out:
- Organized by former rapper and We Out Here Magazine (WOHM) editor Mac Smiff, amateur hip-hop showcase The Thesis has taken place every first Thursday of the month at Kelly’s Olympian since 2014.
- In 2016, the late emcee StarChile started hosting the Mic Check emcee showcase. Now hosted by DJ Klyph, the event takes place at White Eagle every last Thursday and has garnered support and coverage from the acclaimed hip-hop platform Team Backpack.
- The semi-regular YGB (Young Gifted & Brown) dance party DJ’d by Lamar LeRoy is known for its positive vibes.
Portland Hip-Hop Artists
Portland hip-hop veterans like Vursatyl (of Lifesavas), Libretto, Hanif and Cool Nutz can occasionally still be seen on the mic around town. Meanwhile, a crop of promising new talent is building on what the old school started. These new performers are using social media tools to catapult their scene to the next level. Hip-hop leaders Mic Capes, Glenn Waco and Rasheed Jamal comprise the Resistance crew. The group is celebrated for its socially conscious lyricism, impressive rap skills, community building and stellar crowd control.
Aminé and his viral single “Caroline” took Portland to the national stage in November 2016. Landing a post-election spot on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he brought along established Portland neo-soul singer Blossom and acclaimed rapper Dodgr as backup. Other local stars include “femcees” like Karma Rivera, Vytell and Fritzwa. Newcomer Wynne stunned the crowd during a cypher (a hip-hop jam or freestyle battle) at Mic Check in March 2017. Portland is also home to eclectic artists like “St. Johns Scholar” Vinnie Dewayne, anime-obsessed Fountaine and the dynamic Myke Bogan.
Portland Hip-Hop Shops
In addition to checking out these artists and shows, visitors can shop at local stores vital to Portland’s hip-hop culture. These shops support local artists, host events and are First Thursday destinations for hip-hop-inspired art, music and designs. At Compound Gallery in Northwest Portland’s Old Town neighborhood, shoppers can find products from Bro Pluto, Jordan Carter’s monkey-logo’d brand. (The brand also frequently pops up at local gigs and merch tables.) In addition to selling local designs, Compound Gallery — along with neighbors Upper Playground and the Black-owned Deadstock Coffee — offers an alternative to typical First Thursday exhibitions.
Urban Shopping
Portland Streetwear Shops
Portland's laidback, chic aesthetic makes it the ideal home for streetwear. Shop ‘til you drop (tax-free, of course!) at these Portland streetwear shops.
Green Hop: The World’s First Historical Hip-Hop Dispensary
Northeast Portland dispensary Green Hop pairs recreational cannabis with local music and community-building.
The Portland Sneakerhead Scene
Casual collectors and seasoned sneakerheads can dive into the Portland sneakerhead scene at these Old Town Chinatown shops and businesses.
Portland Hip-Hop Media
Keep up with local events and rising stars by following WOHM, which has become the city’s premiere online hip-hop lifestyle publication. Vortex is also a great (and free) print magazine offering insight and interviews with the scene’s most impactful players. Local label and collective EYRST hosts high-quality events and supports some of Portland’s most talented artists and producers. There are also plenty of audio shows worth tuning into. Check out XRAY FM’s Soul Food, Welcome to the Neighborhood with DJ Klyph and the Crate Diggers podcast, hosted by DJ Verbz. Additionally, content and events produced by Chapter Mag highlight (and distribute) Portland’s eclectic hip-hop culture. Portland publications like Willamette Week and Portland Monthly have increased coverage of local hip-hop artists and events in their regular reporting. (I even have my own column in the Portland Mercury, “Sneaker Wave,” which provides the latest updates on the city’s hip-hop scene!)
Portland Hip-Hop Today
With the closure of local venues, hip-hop music and events have moved to unexpected locations, like dive bars. Amid this atmosphere of change, some Portland artists are on the brink of making a nationwide splash, and the community can feel it. It’s a new era, where creatives in Portland hip-hop are making headlines and gaining new fans across the country. One thing’s for certain: With this many options, it’s an exciting and busy time to be a live hip-hop fan in Portland.
Related Sounds
Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival
Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.
Soul’d Out Music Festival
Whether you’re a lifelong soul fan or hunting for your new favorite band, Portland’s annual Soul’d Out Music Festival delivers.
The New Class of the Portland R&B Scene
A new generation of artists is attracting more light to the Portland R&B scene than ever before.
Upcoming Concerts and Shows
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
EVENT CANCELED AND/OR POSTPONED. Please visit the event website for current information. Since 2008, McMenamins Edgefield, a bucolic venue located 15 miles east of Portland in Troutdale, has welcomed musical acts to its Concerts on the Lawn series, which is a local rite of summer.
Sabertooth Music Fest
Mark your calendar for the 6th annual Sabertooth festival. The psychedelic stoner rock festival is back in Portland on Friday, June 5. The full lineup is coming very soon, so be sure to join the Facebook event to stay up-to-date on all of the details. Last year’s highlight was the Melvins, and this year we’ve…
Turn the Radio Up!
Join Portland’s Gay Men’s Chorus at their annual Pride Month concert! In 2020, the theme is “Turn the Radio Up,” featuring some of the best pop hits from the 1980s through today (think Madonna, Cher, George Michael, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, Pink, Taylor Swift and Whitney Houston). Joined by a cappella super group Cascade and dance…
Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival
Chamber Music Northwest’s annual summer festival combines high-caliber classical music with a laid-back atmosphere.
Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series
The Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series will return for its 30th year on Tuesdays in July and August! From noon-1:00pm enjoy music from some of Portland’s best regional and local musical talent. With eight FREE concerts, dancing, some of Portland’s favorite food vendors at Carts on the Square and interactive activities, the Square is sure…
Harefest
The annual Harefest music festival in Canby presents the Northwest’s best tribute bands performing on three stages over two days. The Harefest experience has been described by many attendees and performers as “adult summer camp” not only for the fun-loving, good-natured attendees, but also because of its rustic location and tent camping around the festival…
Northwest String Summit
The annual Northwest String Summit celebrates Bluegrass, roots, and Americana sounds during its multi-day festival in North Plains, Oregon. Visit their website early to purchase tickets, as they usually sell out fast.
Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts
Musicians and fans alike flock to concerts at the Oregon Zoo each summer to enjoy live music, sunshine and friends.
Pickathon
Every August since 1999, Pickathon draws diverse musical performers to celebrate music and the outdoors at the lush Pendarvis Farm just outside of Portland.
Vanport Jazz Festival
THE 2020 EVENT IS CANCELED. The Vanport Jazz Festival is scheduled to return Aug. 7, 2021. See website for details. The Vanport Jazz Festival honors the city of Vanport and the voices who formed Portland’s jazz community. Near the site of the historic 1948 flood, the event transforms Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival,…
Inner City Blues Festival
Soul Queens & Blues Kings A benefit for HEALTH CARE FOR ALL- OREGON “Healing the Healthcare Blues” This very special showcase will celebrate icons of Soul and the Blues pioneers that helped shape the history of music. Norman “Boogie Cat” Sylvester brings together some of our local R&B favorites: Lenanne Miller, Renato Caranto, LaRhonda Steele,…
Last Stop on Market Street
“The song ended and CJ opened his eyes. Everyone on the bus clapped, even the boys in back. Nana glanced at the coin in CJ’s palm. CJ dropped it in the man’s hat. ‘Last stop on Market Street,’ Mr. Dennis called.” CJ and his Nana journey through familiar territory: their own neighborhood. CJ would rather…
Oregon Symphony Presents Ravel’s Bolero
The longest crescendo in the repertoire, Ravel’s magnificent Boléro begins at pianissimo and builds up to such astonishing intensity that it brings audiences to their feet every time.
Soovin Kim: Unaccompanied Bach
Join violin virtuoso Soovin Kim – Chamber Music Northwest Artistic Director Designee – for an evening of some of Bach’s most beloved solo works, including the beloved “Chaconne” from Violin Partita No. 2. Presented by Chamber Music Northwest.
Zoë Keating
Cellist and composer Zoë Keating is a one-woman orchestra. She uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting and compelling music. Zoë is known for both her use of technology – which she uses to sample her cello onstage – and for her DIY approach, releasing…
Shoshana Bean and Friends: A Night of Broadway
Powerhouse vocalist and Broadway star Shoshana Bean is back for her third fundraiser for Beaverton High School’s performing arts department — this time, streamed at YouTube.com/ShoshanaBean. The Shoshana Bean and Friends: An Evening of Broadway show will be streaming live on YouTube and will welcome Beaverton School District students hand-picked by Shoshana Bean from a…
Jasper String Quartet & Friends: Collaboration in Concert
The Jasper String Quartet, hailed as “sonically delightful and expressively compelling” by The Strad, team up with pianist Gloria Chien and violinist Soovin Kim to perform three collaborative compositions including the world premiere of a new Four Seasons composed by Joan Tower, Christopher Theofanidis, Lera Auerbach and Akira Nishimura. Presented by Chamber Music Northwest.
Gloria Chien, Soovin Kim & David Shifrin: Solos, Duos & Trios
Chamber Music Northwest Artistic Director David Shifrin is joined by his soon-to-be successors Gloria Chien and Soovin Kim for a powerful program of solo, duo and trio masterpieces by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Paul Schoenfeld and more. Presented by Chamber Music Northwest.
Long Beach Dub Allstars
Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh met in childhood (in 1979) and later started their first garage punk band, consisting of drums, bass and vocals. They later formed Sublime with Bradley Nowell. The Long Beach Dub Allstars (LBDAS for short) were founded after Nowell died in 1996 of a heroin overdose (frequent contributors to Sublime including…
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Transformative and confessional melodic indie-rock stalwarts from Scotland. Sometimes you have to go back to basics in order to find yourself again. This is something Scottish rock band We Were Promised Jetpacks realized over the course of creating their fourth full-length album, The More I Sleep The Less I Dream. Lyrically, The More I Sleep…
Tony Starlight’s 50th Birthday Party
Tony has made a career of big time productions, gloriously embracing the notion that “everything worth doing, is worth over-doing!”. But for this one night, it’s back to basics. A microphone, a guitar, a slideshow and a lifetime of stories. This night is will be an intimate and special evening for the longtime Tony Starlight…
Jason Lytle: An Evening of Acoustic Piano and Guitar
The Grandaddy frontman playing in an intimate, stripped-down setting. Jason Lytle first wandered into the public consciousness as the principal singer and songwriter for the band Grandaddy. Formed in Modesto, CA in 1992, and eventually consisting of Lytle along with Aaron Burtch, Tim Dryden, Jim Fairchild and Kevin Garcia, the band initially broke through with…
The Moldau and Water Music
Handel’s joyful Water Music, Smetana’s beloved Vltava (The Moldau), and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ masterful “Sea Symphony” close the Classical Season in a program that celebrates the beauty, power, and mystery of bodies of water the world over.
EDEN, Keshi, MACKandgold
Vocalist/producer/multi-instrumentalist EDEN will release his new album no future on Feb. 14 via Astralwerks. no future marks the follow up to his acclaimed 2018 full-length debut, vertigo. The Dublin-bred artist born Jonathon Ng recently unveiled the album’s lead single, “projector,” and accompanying video directed by EDEN’s frequent collaborators Zhang + Knight. As with all of…
Siren Nation presents the 15th Annual Dolly Parton Hoot Night
Doors open at 7:00 The 15th annual Dolly Parton Hoot Night. Portland’s best musicians pay tribute to one of country music’s most iconic songwriters. It’s time again for Siren Nations’s annual Dolly Parton Hoot Night at the Alberta Rose Theatre! This show always proves to be a fun night of local ladies singing their hearts…
Showbox Presents: Shallou With Special Guests Chet Porter and Phil Good
18 and Over Event VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE include: One (1) GA ticket to the show ‘Skip the line’ access/entry Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with Shallou Group Q&A with Shallou Exclusive Tote Bag Exclusive Plant item Please note: VIP packages are fulfilled by the artist. You Will receive an email with details for your…
Alex Lahey with Liv Slingerland
Melbourne pop-rock songwriter with new 2020 LP, ‘Sucker For Punishment’. Alex Lahey FACEBOOK On her sophomore LP, The Best of Luck Club, 26-year-old Alex Lahey navigates the pangs of generational ennui with the pint half-full and a spot cleared on the bar stool next to her. Self-doubt, burn out, break-ups, mental health, moving in with…
PVRIS
VIP- Photo Opportunity Experience tickets available includes: o One General Admission Ticket to the Show o One Photo Opportunity with Pvris Taken by Pvris’ Personal Photographer o One, VIP Only, Pvris Poster Limited and Numbered o One Limited Edition Pvris Accessory o One Commemorative VIP Laminate & Lanyard o Priority Entry into the Venue* o…
Tanya Tucker — CMT Next Women of Country Bring My Flowers Now Tour
Born in Seminole, Texas, Tanya Tucker had her first country hit, the classic “Delta Dawn,” at the age of 13 in 1972. Since that auspicious beginning, Tucker has become one of the most admired and influential artists in country music history, amassing 23 Top 40 albums and a stellar string of 56 Top 40 singles,…
The Lemon Twigs
Artist presale starts 3/4 at 10 am Local presale starts 3/5 at 10 am On sale starts 3/6 at 10 am
Danse Macabre: The Testament of Francois Villon
Danse Macabre: The Testament of François Villon is a one-person show with music and puppetry based on the surprisingly modern and relevant autobiographical poem, The Testament by the 15th century French poet, revolutionary rabble-rouser, balladeer, thief, a prototypical “protest singer,” and a something of a medieval “rock star,” François Villon. Villon’s poetry and his wild…
The Naked and the Famous
with special guests Circa Waves and Luna Shadows For over a decade, The Naked and Famous have delivered a boldly nuanced breed of pop that’s both effervescent and imaginative—a direct reflection of the sheer resilience at the heart of their collaboration. Founded in their hometown Auckland, New Zealand, the critically lauded act immigrated to the…
Braids
Artful, theatrical Montreal electro-pop trio with new LP, ‘Shadow Offering’ FACEBOOK Braids, composed of Raphaelle Standell-Preston, Austin Tufts and Taylor Smith, are a Montreal-based three-piece. Formed in 2007 in Alberta, they have solidified a decade-long reputation for their musical ingenuity and established themselves as one of Canada’s most acclaimed art rock bands, garnering two Polaris…
STRFKR
Artist presale starts 3/3 at 10 am Local presale starts 3/5 at 10 am On sale starts 3/6 at 10 am This event is all ages
The Good Life
Seminal indie-rock group playing the acclaimed ‘Album of the Year’ in full. FACEBOOK The Good Life’s “Sweet 16” Album Of The Year Tour The Good Life is pleased to announce a handful of dates in select cities to celebrate the 16th ‘birthday’ of their noteworthy 2004 record, Album Of The Year. They will perform the…
Stabbing Westward Dead & Gone Tour
with I Ya Toyah, All Good Things Now free from the shackles of mainstream or commercial expectations, one of the staples of mid ‘90s alternative music makes a triumphant return in 2020 as Stabbing Westward releases their first helping of new material in 18 years – the D ead and Gone EP – an ironic…
Built to Spill
Local presale starts 2/27 at 10 am General on sale starts 2/28 at 10 am This event is 21 and over
Woods
Brooklyn psych/folk-rock veterans with new 2020 LP, ‘Strange to Explain’ FACEBOOK “Woods have always been experts at distilling life epiphanies into compact chunks of psychedelic folk that exists just outside of any sort of tangible time or place. Maybe those epiphanies were buried under cassette manipulation or drum-and-drone freakouts, or maybe they were cloaked in…
A Golden Era at DarSalam
Enjoy an evening of authentic Iraqi food (including vegan and gluten free options), live music and entertainment with a Middle Eastern flair!
The BellRays / Slim Cessna's Auto Club
A doubleheader of bluesy and gothic country-rock from Riverside and Denver. The BellRays FACEBOOK Blues is the teacher. Punk is the Preacher. It’s all about emotion and energy. Experience and raw talent, spirit and intellect. Exciting things happen when these things collide. Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula made The BellRays happen in 1990 in Riverside,…
Sammuel Murry-Hawkins & The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra
Portland’s homage to the luscious dance bands of a bygone era launches into its fourth year of producing dances every month. The 11-piece ensemble painstakingly recreates the sounds of the large society dance bands that were so prominent in the 1920s and ’30s, found performing on ocean liners and in the grand ballrooms of Art…
David Grisman's Dawg Trio with Danny Barnes & Sam Grisman
Originating a signature mix of bluegrass, gypsy jazz, Latin rhythms, klezmer music, and myriad global influences into a holistic approach he calls “dawg music,” David Grisman began his career during the explosive folk and blues revival of the 1960s, working in the Even Dozen Jug Band with future stars Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian before…
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
The Temple Tour Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/2dn0CGCWvtrwZ66bOeLNb2 Website: http://thaoandthegetdownstaydown.com/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/thaogetstaydown Facebook: http://facebook.com/thaoandthegetdownstaydown Twitter: http://twitter.com/thaogetstaydown YouTube: http://youtube.com/channel/UCcekYs41vGIHlnnDoV2ZNYg
R.A.P. Ferreira (FKA Milo) with Dazeases
Hyper-literate Nashville-based MC with trippy production and new 2020 LP. R.A.P. Ferreira (FKA Milo) FACEBOOK R.A.P. Ferreira fka milo aka scallops hotel is an mc, producer and theorist working in the Black arts tradition commonly categorized as rap. Having founded the label ruby yacht in 2015 and since releasing all of his music through this…
Opening Night: Schumann & Brahms Piano Quartets
Our 50th Anniversary kicks-off with Robert Schumann’s only piano quartet and one inspired by it written by Schumann’s friend and protégé, Johannes Brahms. Join Opus One – pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, violinist Ida Kavafian, violist Steven Tenenbom, and cellist Peter Wiley – as they perform these two Romantic masterpieces. Presented by Chamber Music Northwest. Join us…
Peach Pit
Breezy and groovy indie-rock from charming Vancouver, BC four-piece. Peach Pit Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Peach Pit’s songs feel like a close friend telling you a story. The Vancouver quartet—Neil Smith [vocals, guitar], Chris Vanderkooy [guitar], Peter Wilton [bass], and Mikey Pascuzzi [drums]— refine this signature storytelling over a soundtrack of breezy…
