We've Hit The Jackpot With Lucky Number 6ix!

Portland never ceases to amaze me. The immense amount of underground talent that is hiding in the wings can only be described as extrordinary. I love to watch the NW review on public access and see who is doing what in Portland hip hop and the NW scene.
So by chance and through some dedicated fans, I was introduced to an exceptional talent that goes by the name "6ix". 6ix was born and bred in Portland, OR. Like many of us in the music scene, 6ix had a musical family to pave his way. He was first introduced to the music scene by his father, who is also a musician and producer. 6ix's father paved the way for his love of music by giving him a drum set at three years old. For those of us who grew up listening to music in our homes from artists, it's in our blood and we live and breath it.

6ix got his first real start in music, recording on his father's local albums in the early 90's. Growing up with a studio in his home made it easy for 6ix to experience everything that the music business had to offer, from recording, to producing and mastering an album. 6ix started his first rap group at 10-11 years old and began doing local talent shows.

6ix started his second, more serious, group at 15. They were called "The Phranchise" and managed by one of Portland's favorites, Cool Nutz. During this time 6ix got the chance to open for some amazing artists like E-40, Mac Dre, Digital Underground, Cool Keith, and Tek Nine. The experience was one that sealed his love for music and pushed him forward in his pursuit of his dream. Unfortunately the group broke up and a record was never released. 6ix was able to produce his own track on Mac Dre's Cutthroat Committee album, scoring track # 3 "Its Nothin" during this time.
The next two years consumed this artist with music and perfecting his talent, until he had an unfortunate run in with the law and did a stint of time. Three years in a place like that will give a person nothing to do but write music and make plans. Some of the best music has come out of the cell from artists like 2 Pac, Snoop Dog, and many more.
When 6ix got out, he decided to make his dreams a reality and take a serious step in music. He decided to go solo and find what direction worked best for him. 6ix started releasing his own mixtapes locally and was later discovered on myspace by legend Warren G. As a child I idolized this artist and can remember spending so many hours singing and watching Regulate on MTV (when they still had music playing and videos). They began talking about business and possibilities and Warren G helped to give advice that would be valuable for an up and comer. 6ix recorded 3 songs with Warren G, one that included West Coast legend Nate Dogg. 6ix is still in contact with Warren G today, but more for incredible business advice and mentoring these days.

6ix continued to work on his mixtapes and create a musical sound that was his own. He continued as a solo artist spending most of his daily life in the studio. 6ix said "Throughout these years of continueing to rap, I began to find myself changing my message. From promoting the negative aspects of street life to speaking about it's negative effects on humanity. I wrote more about touching on the struggles and realities of life."  

As of the release of this review today 6ix is working on his debut album and a new mixtape release date TBA. 6ix chooses to remain unsigned for now and grow as an artist. He is looking to pursue a career as not just a rapper he said, but as an MC as well. 6ix said he wants to leave an ever-lasting impression on everyone he meets and works with. I asked 6ix what he had coming up in the future, so that people reading this could check him out live. 6ix replied "I'm opening for Bay area artist Keak Da Sneak on Feb 8th at the Avenue.  Tickets are just $10 in advance and this event would give everyone a chance to see the talent I have seen in this amazing up and coming artist. 

One judge of a great artist is the devotion and enthusiasm of their fans. I believe I found his biggest fan here in Portland. His father, who spends so much time getting his word out, bumping his music on the corner of MLK and Mason were I take my breaks, and showing his youtube video "1 and Only", which was shot very well and has a great hook. His fathers devotion and heart for the music really made me go home and check his page out. I feel this guy is going to go big places and you better catch it before he takes off. I look forward to seeing what he has to offer and working with him when I can. I wish the best of success and will help any local rapper with a real dream and a talent get to their goals.  As they say at the craps table in Vegas, you need a lucky 6ix to win!!

Artist of the Week: Moonshine Bandits

Out Of The Darkness, Shines the Moonshine Bandits, To Light The Way.

The Moonshine Bandits get their name from their deep  family roots running illegal booze during prohibition.  This all took place in Northern California during the years of the Great Depression. Now the Moonshine Bandits have their own actual 99 Proof "Outlaw Moonshine" Spirit which was set to hit liquor and grocery stores legally in 2011 and it is produced by Valley Spirits Distillery in California.  Now the Moonshine Bandits are not only known for their liquor  but also for an amazing lyrical talent that has put them in the midst of such great musicians as Tech N9ne, Rehab, Vanilla Ice, Kottonmouth Kings, Tragedy 503,  E-40, Twiztid, Haystak, , The Expendables, and many more. One of the most amazing honors and opportunities requested of these talented guys was when they received a phone call from the United States Military to perform at Fort Irwin, CA. The Moonshine Bandits performed on July 4, 2010 at the Fort Irwin Military Base located in the Mojave Desert for thousands of our U.S. Troops. They were able to give our troops a much needed release and a performance worthy our men and women of honor.

The first time I had ever heard about the Moonshine bandits was back in the early 2000's when they contacted Tragedy 503 and requested him to be a part of their Whiteboyz In The Game compilation (featuring mainly white rappers and artists) in the industry, also known as the underdogs (in an industry like this, we'll just accept that as most truth). This record was in no way meant to be any sort of a race recognition or to say that any race was better then another, but to give some people who are usually known to be underrated in the industry the chance to show some talent. I am not sure how the CD did in the end, but I do own a copy and I think that the concept may have been flawed looking back now, but the idea was of good heart at the time.

The Moonshine Bandits have come out with their fair share of CD's these past years, moving up with hard work and determination to be a part of SubNoize's amazing lineup. Some of those great features are Divebars and Truckstops (Which features one of my favorite songs "Fists and Jager") , Prohibition,  Soggy Crackers, and theirs newest album to drop Whiskey and Women. The Moonshine Bandits recently hit up the Seattle are doing a tour with Rehab called United Shiners of America USA Tour. The show featured stops all across the US. The boyz just recently hit back home in Cali and from their Facebook status updates are grateful for the experience, but even more grateful for a moment home and with family. 

The Moonshine Bandits look like really fun and interesting guys, but they are quite the enigma of a group. Don't get me wrong, they are fun, great to watch live, and have an amazing gimmick going on, but how did this come about? Cowboy rappers from Cali? Was this part of a great game of truth or dare that went very wrong? "Hey truth or dare".."Dare dude...okay I dare you to start a rap group (drunkin snickers) and do it looking like cowboys. " (Drunkin laughter erupts . "No way dude its not gonna happen...Ya I'm ma do it, I'm totally gonna do it. " Years later their friend stare sitting at home watching them on TV thinking to themselves, man I had no idea that they would do it, let alone be famous. Maybe you shouldn't have dared him to f*%$k my mom either that night asshole!! (insert funny sitcom sounds duh duh duhhhh).  So no matter how the idea got passed around, it worked. You can even find the Moonshine bandits songs featured on CMT of all places. 

Well the sun will only shine on the days that Moonshine bandits have left to offer us great music and great shows, and the moon will light there way to the stadiums filled with fans and cheering crowds. Like a photographer at night aiming for the best picture of the orange moon rings, I'm gonna shoot...on out of here and leave you to do the rest of the research yourself.