Marvel Comics' Hip Hop Variant Covers
Hip hop has become an undeniably large influence on pop culture; the same can be said for comics, especially in light of Marvel Studios' takeover of Hollywood over the last decade. With the level of artistry behind the hip hop's lyricism and comic books' increasing level of illustrative talent, it was only a matter of time before one of the Big Two (Marvel and DC) paid homage to hip hop in an official capacity. While Ed Piskor's Hip Hop Family Tree has been nominated for the Eisner Award and was named one of New York Times' Graphic Books Best Seller, it doesn't have the same level of visibility as Marvel.
Beginning this October, Marvel will be paying homage to hip hop with its line of Marvel's Hip Hop Variants. Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso had this to say about the line of variant covers:
"For years, Marvel Comics and Hip-Hop culture have been engaged in an ongoing dialog. Beginning this October, we will shine a spotlight on the seamless relationship between those two unique forces in when we unveil the first of more than fifty variant covers, each of which pays tribute to an iconic album cover from the past 30 years that shaped pop-culture over the past three decades."
You can find 12 of the hip hop variant covers in the gallery below. Can you name them all?
The first wave of Marvel's Hip Hop Variants will be released in October:
Amazing Spider-Man # 1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Del Mundo
Angela: Queen of Hel #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Annie Wu
The Astonishing Ant-Man #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mark Brooks
Contest of Champions #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Denys Cowan
Doctor Strange #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Juan Doe
Extraordinary X-Men #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Sanford Greene
Guardians of the Galaxy #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Shawn Crystal
Invincible Iron Man #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Brian Stelfreeze
The Mighty Thor #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Deodato
Sam Wilson, Captain America #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mahmud Asrar
Spider-Gwen #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Humberto Ramos
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Phil Noto
Uncanny Inhumans #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Damian Scott
Uncanny Avengers #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Jason Pearson
Another wave of Marvel's Hip Hop Variants will be released later in the fall:
All-New All-Different Avengers #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Jim Cheung
All-New Wolverine #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Keron Grant
Carnage #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Ariel Olivetti
Howard the Duck #1 - HIP-HOP Variant Juan Doe
Ms. Marvel #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Jenny Frisson
Old Man Logan #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Tim Bradstreet
Spider-Man #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Adi Granov
Spider-Man/Deadpool #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Dave Johnson
Squadron Supreme #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Del Mundo
Star-Lord #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Tradd Moore
The Totally Awesome Hulk #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Mahmud Asrar
Web Warriors #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Damian Scott
North Coast Festival 2015 Lineup Updated
Summer is finally here, and although most Chicagoans don't want to talk about the end of Summer just yet, the 6th Annual North Coast Music Festival has much to be excited for. The fest will once again be held at Chicago’s Union Park over Labor Day Weekend, September 4-6, featuring an eclectic lineup.
Following up last month's initial lineup reveal featuring Widespread Panic, The Chemical Brothers, D'Angelo and the Vanguard, and The Roots is the announcement of a new wave of artists to round out the North Coast Music Festival. French producer Wax Tailor, New York producer Sweater Beats, and instrumental hip hop producer Little People are joining the lineup, with local Chicago favorites Porn and Chicken, SaveMoney's Leather Corduroys, and two-time Grammy-nominated producer Stefan Ponce round out the new list of recently-added artists.
Also returning this year is the festival's popular Silent Disco and "Living Gallery," presented by the Elder Tree graffiti area.
You don't want to miss out, so get your tickets here. Our team will definitely be there covering all that's great.
Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment: "Surf"
After numerous teases and releases, Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's Surf has finally been released. We'll have a more comprehensive review of the album next week. For now, enjoy Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's debut release, Surf! You can also download the album (for free) on iTunes here.
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Riot Fest 2015 Lineups Revealed
It's been a busy month for Riot Fest organizers as they went from facing problems with Humboldt Park to being named USA Today's top summer music festival to eventually relocating to Douglas Park for their flagship Chicago festival. Finally, after incessant badgering on Twitter, the first wave of the Riot Fest 2015 lineup has been revealed. Some of the announced headliners are a bit surprising, considering the festival's typical M.O. However, it just further illustrates how large and popular the festival has grown over the past few years.
Riot Fest Chicago highlights include a few bands performing full albums like Rancid playing ...And Out Come the Wolves, Snoop Dogg playing Doggystyle, Ice Cube (and guests) performing NWA's Straight Outta Compton, The Academy Is... performing Almost Here, and The Dwarves performing Blood Guts and Pussy. Other musical highlights include No Doubt, Tenacious D, Modest Mouse, Motorhead, Less Than Jake, Modern Life is War, Lifetime, Cypress Hill, and local acts like Alex Wiley, Into It. Over it., and Psalm One.
Riot Fest Toronto highlights include Alexisonfire, Wu-Tang Clan, Tyler, the Creator, and Coheed and Cambria.
Riot Fest Denver highlights include Modest Mouse, Iggy Pop, Flogging Molly, Alkaline Trio, and Pixies.
Pre-sale tickets are already sold out, but you can still find 3-day passes for Chicago, Denver, and Toronto.
[Contest] Meet Yelawolf at Shuga Records (5/19)
Yelawolf is returning to Chicago next Tuesday, May 19th, for a meet and greet at Shuga Records (1272 N. Milwaukee Ave.). However, you'll have to purchase a copy of his latest album, Love Story, to do so. Luckily, we're giving away a pair of wristbands and copies of Love Story to one lucky Yelawolf fan.
To enter, simply follow us on Twitter and RT this tweet:
Win a copy of Love Story and a chance to meet @Yelawolf in Chicago next Tuesday. Details here: http://t.co/WloWV35TmD pic.twitter.com/c1OIvM2YP8
— Ruby Hornet (@RubyHornet) May 15, 2015
We'll select one winner by 11:59pm CT on Monday, May 18th.
To tide you over the weekend, watch Yelawolf's latest video for "Best Friend" with Eminem.
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[SXSW Interview] Raekwon
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Video by Elijah Alvarado
During SXSW last month, we had the chance to catch up with RH homie Raekwon The Chef. Rae talked to us about his crowdfunding campaign for "The Purple Tape Files" a documentary based on the making of his debut album "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx." This year marks the 20th anniversary of the project that not only solidified Rae as a solo artist but one of the best MC in Hip-Hop. We also talked about the creative process for his new upcoming album Fly International Luxurious Art (F.I.L.A). He discusses collaborations on the project with A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross, and bringing in new producers to the fold. Check out the first part of the interview above and the second part below.
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[RH Video] Vic Mensa at the Metro (11/28/2014)
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This post was originally published by our affiliate, Chicago Music. Photo and video by J. Frank.
Last Friday, SAVEMONEY's Vic Mensa headlined a show at the iconic Metro alongside some of his SAVEMONEY brothers, including Towkio, Leather Curduroys (made up of Kami de Chukwu and Joey Purp, and a special appearance by Chance the Rapper. Mensa has seen tremendous growth in 2014 following last year's release of his solo debut mixtape, INNANETAPE, such as a European tour with Danny Brown, being named to XXL's 2014 Freshman class, and charting in international markets with his first official single, "Down On My Luck." Friday's Metro show was just another highlight in a year full of them for the Chicago native.
Supremely talented videographer J. Frank was on hand to capture some of the intense energy on display at Vic's show, which you can watch in the video below.
[RH Photos] Gary Clark, Jr. at the Historic Scoot Inn (10/29/2014)
Photography by Virgil Solis
Perhaps one of the best blues guitarists of our generation, Austin's very own Gary Clark, Jr., played a free show last week at the Historic Scoot Inn. With fellow South Austin homies Zeale and Phranchyze opening up for GCJ, the night was truly an Austin show. If you have yet to see Gary perform, it should be a bucket list for any true Blues fan. Thanks to the good people over at C3, I was at hand to snap some shots of the show. Check them out below.
