Photo: Riley Brown — Members of Portland’s hip-hop community coming together for ‘Hip Hop Day’ 2017 in Portland, Oregon.
Perhaps you’ve already heard of Future of What, an educational podcast that covers every topic imaginable surrounding the music industry. The talk show gives outliers and insiders alike the stage to dive into subjects that may not always get a mainstream kind of exposure, nonetheless, are equally important.
Take this April episode as an example, where Fabi Reyna, founder of She Shreds magazine discusses the decline of the electric guitar along with problematic marketing trends (geared predominately toward a specific gender — spoiler: it’s not female guitarists).
The series being hosted by Kill Rock Stars president Portia Sabin, listeners can occasionally catch LIVE tapings of episodes throughout major cities. If in the Portland area, you’ll want to catch the upcoming segment sponsored by Marmoset. Moderated by both DJ Klyph (XRAY.fm’s Welcome to the Neighborhood) and Portia Sabin, this upcoming episode will focus on new happenings and the transpiring evolution within Portland’s hip-hop scene.
This special edition is not only an opportunity for aspiring artists and hip-hop supporters to network, but to also learn from the diversely experienced panelists. From O.G.ONE to Karma Rivera to Rasheed Jamal, the discussion will explore the city’s music scene and what this means for hip-hop specifically. It’s an exploration and much-needed conversation that Jamal is helping spearhead through his own music and of course, events like this.
“I attended the Portland Grammy Summit back in February where there was a hip-hop panel,” says Jamal. “It was informative, but it felt as though they were preaching to the choir. More than that, nobody from the city who creates hip-hop was there. At that moment I sparked the conversation that became this panel, which is also be open to the public.”
Rasheed Jamal, hip-hop artist and organizer of Future of What’s hip-hop 101 event
With Jamal organizing the hip-hop 101 event, he aimed at assembling real influencers, organizers, and artists who could directly involve themselves within the discussion. It’s something that doesn’t always happen when community events such as this are organized — either important topics being lost in the shuffle or the same one perspective opinions and vices voiced over and over.
There’s no question how Portland’s music landscape is ever-changing and those shifts being very closely linked to whats unfolding in our communities. So why not get those on the front lines of change more involved? That’s what Jamal is helping to fix.
“I want people to feel energized after this. If people can leave this panel inspired to take action, this will be a success,” says Jamal. “My aim is to produce a ripple effect and to influence folks to believe in themselves and to put their energy into solutions.”
How can others support the music community and initiatives like this this? Jamal says show up and participate — whether that be asking questions or just listening to learn.
“We want the youth, the experienced, the novice, and the experts to come together and share ideas,” he says. “To learn from one another and to move forward to throw similar events and give one another a sense of professional development.”
Get your tickets ahead of time and bring your questions to the Q&A. Proceeds will go toward the Friends of Noise organization.