206 Degrees and Rising Tour

Featuring Cancer Rising, D. Black, Kublakai and Neema

A series of road trips throughout the Northwest featuring Seattle’s rising hip-hop artists Cancer Rising, D. Black, Kublakai and Neema, the 206 Degrees and Rising Tour kicked off in late May and ran through July, hitting the cities of Seattle, Olympia, Portland,Eugene, Bellingham, Spokane, Bozeman and Tacoma. The tour was curated by Sportn’ Life Records owner DeVon Manier and Ian Waller, a.k.a. Kublakai, with the goal of spreading the word about Seattle hip-hop and gaining momentum in areas where the artists already have established fan bases, but where fans have limited opportunities to connect with them live.

Olympia, Wa – May 31, 2008

The China Clipper with special guests The Booze Brothers

Ah Olympia, home of K Records, Riot Grrl and the Evergreen State College. Not exactly known as a rap haven, of course, but it’s down here. We ended up with a good amount of people at this show. I think a lot of them were familiar with the local openers, The Booze Brothers – but they actually stuck around after their boys played and rocked with us!

This was definitely not the slumming, sleep-in-the-van type tour experience. Oly’s just an hour away, so we could all enjoy the comfort of our own beds back home in Seattle. Next time, we gotta get some kind of airplay in the area before we come down. Maybe the good folks at KAOS on the Evergreen campus would be down. That’s where Bruce Pavitt got his start, right?

-Gatsby of Cancer Rising

Portland, Or – June 5, 2008

Berbati’s Pan with special guests Living Proof and Debaser; hosted by Cool Nutz

Caressing our free PBRs, giggling about the small turnout, Gatsby (Cancer Rising) said, “We played a show for no one once.” “Really?” I asked, “And you still actually went on?” “Shit yeah,” he said, “One of our best shows ever.” Portland was the shit, even if no one saw it.

-Kublakai

Eugene, Or – June 6, 2008

John Henry’s with special guest Garden Entertainment

Oregon was special – we did three shows in two days. After breakfast in Portland, we sped off to CD World in Eugene for an in-store. Crowd consisted of a few kids, two senior citizens, random customers and staff. We had a blast and took full advantage of our 30-percent discount. The show at John Henry’s was off the hook. From the staff to the crowd, it was hands-down our favorite venue so far. The sound was excellent and the people in Eugene do that funny Northwest hippie hip-hop dance the best.

Bellingham, Wa – June 13, 2008

The Rogue Hero with special guests The Productionists

Bellingham was a lot of fun. It was the day after school got out, finals were over and the college kids were ready to play. The Rouge Hero definitely had the largest crowd of the tour so far, and the restaurant next door, The Beaver Inn, had the best fried chicken. Bellingham was very receptive of each act, and with the large turnout it made us feel as if we had reached our goal.

Spokane, Wa – June 28, 2008

The Zombie Room with special guests Guns of the Sun

Eastern Washington is a whole different world than what we’re used to. That evening, the crowd at the Zombie Room was genuinely thankful for some Seattle sounds. Even though it was 90 degrees inside and outside the venue, D. Black and Spaceman still held it down onstage.

It was Hoopfest weekend and the Northwest’s most notorious “grinder,” Neema, took the trip out to Spokane a few days early to promote the tour. Throughout the tour, DJ Nphared seemed to find time to check his MySpace page ... even when he was onstage. The tour wouldn’t have been a success without the three DJs who traveled with us – Tiles, Hannibal and Nphared all held it down on the ones and twos.

Bozeman, Mt– June 29, 2008

The Filling Station

The Filling Station is a charming spot just over the train tracks with a certain roadhouse charm. License plates, vintage beer cans and Pabst banners lined the walls.

The bartender poured drinks through some strange contraption that regulated the pour – a state-mandated reality in Big Sky Country. To “warm up,” I ordered “doubles” that would’ve gotten a Seattle bartender laughed out of the place. But this sign says it all: “Couldn’t be happier, I’m drunk in Montana.” We heart Montana!

-Gatsby of Cancer Rising

Tacoma, Wa – July 3

Hell’s Kitchen with special guest Jay Barz

The start of the 4th of July weekend brought out a late Tacoma crowd that showed up around 11 p.m. About 80-100 people came out to celebrate with us as we wrapped up the tour. Local support was crucial to our tour and we were lucky to meet talented groups at each stop.

Hell’s Kitchen, predominately known as a rock/punk venue with its devilish decorum and props, opened its doors to our tour, which we took full advantage of. Check out Neema and Logics incorporating an oversized skull into their stage performance!

www.myspace.com/206degreesandrisingroad