Live hip-hop and an audience of smiling faces are rarely seen together nowadays, especially here in Rhode Island. That said; I can’t recall the last time a featured artist kicked off an evening wearing sun-tanning goggles. Romen Rok did exactly that while onstage at Friday night’s Elevation and set the tone for what went on to be an enjoyable, successful open mic night at Firehouse XIII.

Thanks to Rock Solid, who did a fine job of hosting as well as blessing the mic, and Sterby Rock performing scratchutory rape on the tables, the night continued on – and finished – without a moment of silence. Courtesy of some newer names (at least to myself), including Boudy, Wor Paint and Vendetta, and a few of the more recognizable rhyme-slingers, HW, Big City and Mic Feen, the open mic was nicely kept in balance and did a fine job of showcasing the aptitude of our locals.

After a solid head-nodding set from Dirty Hank & Reason (PDP) that even had the three or four skirts in the building shaking their shit, Marshall Law went on to defend his 401 Hip-Hop championship battle title against open mic participant Tec. In short, Marshall seems to be building a rigid reputation for slaughtering all who oppose. However, due to RI’s practically non-existent battle circuit, I’m not sure exactly how much weight that statement holds. (Hopefully those last couple sentences are enough to instigate some future competition…and fire up Marshall for the rounds to come.) Regardless, I know when respect is due, and the kid is definitely an animal when it comes to battling.

The night wound down to a Big City, Cas Uno, Wor Paint, Boudy, Dirty Hank, and Reason (along with a couple others) rhyme-cipher spit over a number of instrumentals spun by Sterby and some live MPC programming from William Javier. Aside from a mere dose of freestyle biting (1:44-1:50) that made me cringe, the cipher, along with the other three hours of Elevation, was dope.

When I initially spoke with Mortal about Elevation, he described his ambitions of having this event act as an ongoing quasi-workshop for emcees, producers, and other local talent. Truly, it’s a great idea. Elevation offers artist’s the chance to meet new people, build, and, essentially, better their chance of being noticed in such an over-saturated genre of music. In a broader scope, Elevation is also an opportunity to end the obviously segregated Rhode Island hip-hop landscape. This is the rebirth of Unity, Rhode Island, and there’s the potential for our scene to receive some well-deserved recognition. So pay attention, spread the good word, and bring your Jason mask out to the next Elevation at Firehouse XIII on November, Friday the 13th.

You can check out the pictures from October’s Elevation below …

Live @ Jerkys, 71 Richmond St, Providence, RI | Broken Ground (First Providence Show), Big City Bumpus, Brzowski, Shane Hall, H.W., Jotsone | Music By DJ Emoh Betta (of the Deck Demons) | Doors @8PM | $7

For More Information please visit: www.DelusionalRecords.com

The album is officially available, you can get it at Undergroundhiphop.com by clicking the album art!

March 24th @ The Beach House, 506 Park ave, Portsmouth, RI | 9PM -1AM | Performances By: SBO & Neysean, Big City Bumpus, JProfane, Freddy Black, Lil Bear, Marshall Law, Phillip Morrez

This is for Big City Bumpus’s Cd “Everything I Do Is Badass. performances by: Big City Bumpus, Need Not Worry, Meta P, Jotsone | $5 | Doors @ 10pm | AS220, 115 empire st, providence, ri | March 18th!!!

Yes thats right just for you guys here are 401hiphop.com, you get to hear the entire Big City Bumpus album! click the read more lnk for that.

Feb 22nd @ The East Bay Tavern (305 lyons st, east providence, ri) | Doors @ 8 | 18+ | Performances by: Playboy Ny$e, Shaymin, SBO & Neysean, 401 Klik, Big City Bumpus

Live @ AS220 on December 16th | 90Sevan, Hazardous Wastes (H.W.), Shane Blakemore, Big City Bumpus, Jotsone | Doors @ 9 | $6!

10-22-2008 21:00 at AS220 (Free Show!!!)
115 empire st, providence, Rhode Island 02903
Cost: FREE

Performances By: Labeless Illtelligence | Big City Bumpus | Shane Blakemore | 2nd Hand Smoke | Organized Rhyme, Free show so be there!!!

10-09-2008 19:00 at The Garage (FREE SHOW!)
79 north water st, New bedford, Massachusetts 02740
Cost: FREE

Performances By: H.W. (First full set) | Big City Bumpus | Shane Blakemore | 90sevan | Jotsone

this is a free show and will start at 7 so effing be there!!!