As April kicks off, and along with it a great season of shows, we’ve compiled a spring guide of the Denver hip-hop concerts you should know about.
April 6 — Ab-Soul, Vinyl Nightclub
is the underground MC to watch. The Black Hippy member has had breakout success on his own with the release of Control System and his obscure performance style. Ab-Soul is a lyrical genius whose collaborations with Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar have kept him on everyone’s rap radar. Check him out at Vinyl Nightclub on April 6. (Tickets $15, coclubs.com)
April 18 — Sage Francis, Fox Theater
is going to take over the Fox Theater in Boulder on April 18 for a pretty stacked concert. Prolyphic, Denver’s Wheelchair Sports Camp and Bull Head*ed are all on the bill. Sage Francis has been on tour through the east coast since earlier this year. The Strange Famous Records CEO is known for his spoken word style of rapping and his harsh critiques of government and American media. (Tickets $22, foxtheatre.com)
April 19 — Hieroglyphics, Casselman’s
On April 19 Casselman’s Bar & Venue will host ‘ pre-4/20 celebration. Hiero is a crew that can tour forever. For those into that classic rap sound and golden “true school” era of rap, this one’s for you. (Tickets $20/$25, casselmans.com)
April 19 — Dilated Peoples, Cervantes’ Other Side
is another Denver crowd favorite, and the California underground conglomerate always brings out the best in the boom bap-loving crowd. (Tickets $20/$25 cervantesmasterpiece.com)
April 20 — Method Man and Redman, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
and will team up for the umpteenth time at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom for a 4/20 performance. Both Red and Meth are known for their smoker friendly lyrics and wild and energetic shows. Individually, the MCs have extensive catalogues and even more collaborative material. Colorado crowds love Red and Meth as a duo and what better day to party with the two than on their favorite holiday. (Tickets $42/$45 cervantesmasterpiece.com)
April 20 — Machine Gun Kelly, Ogden Theatre
will make his second appearance in Denver this year with a show at the Ogden Theatre on 4/20. The MC most recently hosted mtvU’s Woodie Awards at SXSW and went home a winner. MGK frequently makes news for his controversial statements to news outlets (his beef with The Fader over not receiving the cover is well ). (Tickets $27.50, axs.com)
April 21 — Talib Kweli, Summit Music Hall
‘s February show in Denver at Summit Music Hall might have been derailed by a blizzard, but the Brooklyn MC will make his way to the Mile High on April 21. Talib Kweli’s content has evolved from the days of his breakout single “Get By,” and his many collaborations with Mos Def. His most recent project “Prisoner of Consciousness” is set for release in early May. (Tickets $23/$25 thesummitmusichall.com)
May 5 — Big Boi, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
will take the stage at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on May 7 for the “Shoes For Running” tour. The At-lien will be joined by the underated MC Killer Mike. Big Boi’s latest project Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors featured appearances by Kid Cudi, Little Dragon and Killer Mike. (Tickets $32/$35 cervantesmasterpiece.com)
May 14 — Fabolous and Pusha-T, Ogden Theatre
The name “Life is So Exciting” is the blandest name for a rap tour ever however, but we still expect great things from and Pusha-T on 5/14. This collaborative concert is a celebration of solo projects from both. Fab’s upcoming “Loso’s Way 2: Rise to Power” and Pusha-T’s “My Name is My Name” are garnering respectable buzz in the rap scene. Fab’s ostentatious lyrics and Pusha’s aggressive flow complement each other well. (Tickets $32.50 axs.com)
May 28 — Juicy J, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
wants to help you “Stay Trippy” with his appropriately themed tour. The “Bands a Make Her Dance” star will swoop through Cervantes on May 28. A$AP Mobb affiliate A$AP Ferg is on deck to open the show. Both Juicy J and A$AP Ferg are on the rise as breakout stars, tackling this re-emerging style of rapping over down-tempo beats with sprite and codeine-drenched lyrics. (Tickets $20/$25 cervantesmasterpiece.com)
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Ru Johnson is an arts and culture music writer living in Denver. You can follow her on
