Owner's Statement
PDX's hottest monthly live hip-hop showcase, presented by We Out Here Magazine and Vortex every first Thursday at Kelly's Olympian. RSVP here.
Articles
New Year, New Editor, Who Dis?
Blake Hickman - Jan 8, 2021
And why local music coverage matters more than ever right now.
Welcome To Our World
Mac Smiff - Dec 7, 2020
"I want to amplify Black voices without sacrificing the clarity of our voices," says Mac Smiff, who guest edits the new print issue of Vortex. Featuring work from Black writers, photographers and...
Changes: The Future of Vortex
Chris Young - Aug 25, 2020
During these tumultuous times for the music industry and our country, we took the summer off from printing a new issue. Passing the mic, Vortex will return this fall with guest editor Mac Smiff...
Save Our Stages
Chris Young - May 6, 2020
We need numerous independently owned venues and festivals to sustain our robust music ecosystem in Oregon. As the first to close but the last to reopen, these incubators of artistry are vital to...
Harvee Bird: 5 Questions Before The Thesis
Blake Hickman - Oct 31, 2019
From punk rock to live band hip-hop, don't miss Harvee Bird rocking The Thesis stage at Kelly's Olympian on First Thursday, November 7 with [E]mpress, Ki$, BAQI and Verbz.
Artist to Watch: Wynne's On The Rise In Rip City
Mac Smiff - Oct 17, 2019
With the city's hip-hop scene behind her, Wynne is set to drop her debut mixtape on October 25 and continue her effort to bring about town unity with her blistering rhymes.
Reading Between The Lines
Chris Young - Aug 1, 2019
Music is capable of inspiring and bridging divides; it is infinitely more impactful than the words on this page.
Artist to Watch: Rasheed Jamal Is Ready to Reign Supreme
Mac Smiff - Jul 5, 2019
With the dramatically named 'Messiah Complex' on the horizon, one of Portland's most skilled rappers is ready to make his mark. And while you'll have to wait for its release later this summer,...
Artist to Watch: KayelaJ's Just Getting Started
Mac Smiff - Jul 2, 2019
KayelaJ's highly anticipated debut record tells the life story—thus far—of one of Portland's hottest rising emcees. Celebrate the release of 'D.Y.K.E. (Don't Yield, Keep Enduring)' at Kelly's...
Cannabis Connections in #PDXmusic
Chris Young - Apr 14, 2019
Whether it’s 4/20 or just Friday, we’ve crowdsourced Portland’s most tokeable tunes from those with the finest taste in cannabis and music. Whether explicitly about bringing a blunt through or...
I Got 5 On It
Chris Young - Apr 12, 2019
We turn five with our 20th issue, which drops on 4/20—and we all know that music and cannabis make a merry pairing so let's celebrate! Join us a day early on April 19 at Artists Rep when ePP,...
Watch Burn Money Music's Latest Bridge City Cypher feat. KayelaJ, Swiggle Mandela, Nick B and Rc $pitta [Video Premiere]
Chris Young - Aug 27, 2018
Bringing together four hot, young hip-hop artists, Burn Money's cypher series delivers a sampling of what's good in Portland's rap scene. Catch KayelaJ rocking The Thesis at Kelly's on September 6.
Rasheed Jamal featuring Glenn Waco: 'Muddy Waters' [Song Premiere]
Joel Sommer - Aug 17, 2017
Sitting on a bounty of unreleased music, the Portland rapper has decided to tap into the science of the cosmos and use it for the greater good on the momentous occasion of a total solar eclipse....
Raquel Divar and Cory O Premiere New Vid at The Thesis
Blake Hickman - Jul 14, 2017
The bass-heavy, electronic hip-hop duo brought their fierce sound to The Thesis last week, premiering the video for "Vandals" at Kelly's Olympian.
Meet Hip-Hop’s Freshest Collaborative Masterminds: Korgy & Bass [Song Premiere]
Chris Young - May 11, 2017
From folk singer-songwriter Catherine Feeny to hip-hop emcees Dusty Fox and Rasheed Jamal, the jazz-tinged, instrumental duo are set to rock creative, collaborative sets on May 15 at the Skype...
The Thesis Brings a Beat Showcase to First Thursday
Blake Hickman - May 2, 2017
The hardest working man in PDX hip-hop—alongside a whole host of local emcees and producers—is set make May 4 one banging beat showcase at Kelly's Olympian.
Watch Live Sessions with 11 MOGO Music Festival Artists Thanks to Dan Cable Presents [Video Playlist]
Dan Cable - Feb 17, 2017
Get a preview of Portland’s MOGO Music Fest with performances from Mic Capes, Cambrian Explosion, Santiam, Korgy & Bass and many more. Plus, find out how to win fest tickets here!
Does Portland Have a Thriving Music Scene?
Jason Fellmann - Feb 14, 2017
Local musician and promoter Jason Fellman explores the attributes of a successful music scene.
Why There's Hope in 2017
Chris Young - Feb 10, 2017
Raise a flag in the name of protest, progress and #PDXmusic because Portland music will prevail.
Bocha Returns to First Thursday's The Thesis
Blake Hickman - Jan 25, 2017
After several guest appearances on The Thesis stage, the Portland rapper pulls his first headlining set alongside Dead Phone Dummiez, Foday and resident DJ, Verbz. Don’t miss the show on February 2!
The Thesis Turns Two in December
Blake Hickman - Nov 25, 2016
And celebrates with two nights: December 1 at Kelly's Olympian with the Headliners set featuring Illmaculate, ROBy, Blossom and Cory Kendrix followed by an all-ages affair at Hoop Dreams on...
Blossom: 'Black Magic Woman' [Video Premiere]
Chris Young - Nov 21, 2016
"We women are stronger together than against each other." See how far Blossom has come and how much further she has to go at night one of The Thesis' two-day, two-year anniversary party at Kelly's...
Global Vision, Local Approach: An Interview with I$$A Before First Thursday's The Thesis
Blake Hickman - Nov 1, 2016
Set to rock Kelly's Olympian on First Thursday as part of this month's stacked bill of local hip-hop talent, do not miss his set of world music-influenced but Portland-made hip-hop alongside Karma...
Understanding the Realities of Our Black Community in Portland
Chris Young - Oct 27, 2016
We must grow together to preserve the communities and culture we want to succeed in Portland. Photos by Sam Gehrke
Vortex Partners with The Thesis; Donte Thomas Set to Headline First Thursday
Blake Hickman - Sep 29, 2016
Vortex is proud to join We Out Here Magazine in presenting the First Thursday bastion for local hip-hop. Don't miss the October edition of The Thesis on October 6 at Kelly’s Olympian featuring Mic...
ROBy: 'Around It' [Video Premiere]
Chris Young - Feb 23, 2016
The PDX rapper is full of swagger on the confident “Around It”—check out our exclusive premiere of the new video.
Related Photo Galleries
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The Thesis: Treehouse Gang, Michele Wylen and Marcus McCauley at Kelly's Olympian on March 5, 2020
Photos by Ashley Strom
March 10, 2020 10:00am
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Scenes from The Thesis' 5th Anniversary Show featuring Donte Thomas, Mickey Taelor, Kid Indigo, Blossom and Maarquii at Kelly's Olympian on Dec. 5, 2019
Photos by Ashley Strom
January 19, 2020 12:00pm
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Musical Interlude: Hip-Hop: Sam Cyph, Maarquii and ePP at Artists Repertory Theatre on April 19, 2019
Photos by Joshua Hathaway
April 23, 2019 9:30am
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Soundcheck: Casso Dinero Is What Portland Hip-Hop Looks Like
August 22, 2018 10:00am
Alexander Wright may not be the face of Portland hip-hop but, under the moniker Casso Dinero, his visuals have come to define the style and culture of the local scene. -
The Thesis: Cassow, Mic Capes, ePP and more at Kelly's Olympian on May 3, 2018
Photos by Ashley Strom
May 7, 2018 12:00pm
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Korgy & Bass and Rasheed Jamal's Collaborative Set at the Skype Live Studio on May 15, 2017
Photos by Bennett Dewan
May 23, 2017 9:30am
After just two rehearsals, the three artists came together for an incredibly inventive live collaboration. -
The Thesis at MOGO Music Festival: Mic Capes and Gifted Gab at the Star Theater on March 4, 2017
Photos by Renée Lopez
March 11, 2017 7:45pm
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The Thesis at MOGO Music Festival: Blossom and I$$A at Dante's on March 3, 2017
Photos by Renée Lopez
March 4, 2017 4:30pm
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Scenes from Night 1 of the MOGO Music Festival feat. Scott Pemberton, Blossom, I$$A, Redwood Son, Tony Smiley and more at Dante's and Star Theater on March 3, 2017
Photos by Miss Ellanea
March 6, 2017 10:45am
Video
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Rasheed Jamal: Live at Skype Live Studio
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[E]mpress: Live at The Thesis
Past Shows
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Apr1Thursday8pmKayelaJJordan Fletcher, Marzz, Donovan Scribes, VerbzLive Stream
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Jan9Thursday9pmZyah BelleBlossom, Covi., Motaz, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Dec5Thursday9pmDonte ThomasMaarquii, Kid Indigo, Trox, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Nov7Thursday9pm[E]mpressHarvee Bird, Ki$, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Oct3Thursday9pmCovi.Sir Nai, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Aug5Monday7pmMusicPortland Monthly MeetupRontoms
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Aug1Thursday9pmRasheed JamalDanny Sky, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Jul12Friday10pmRasheed JamalMic Capes, Mal London, ButterJack London Revue
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Jun6Thursday9pmMaarquiiVerbz, KayelaJ, SxlxmxnKelly's Olympian
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May2Thursday9pmFountaineSamuelThe1st, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Apr19Friday8pmePPMaarquii, Sam CyphArtists Repertory Theatre
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Mar7Thursday9pmVursatylStevo The Weirdo, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Feb7Thursday9pmSwiggle Mandela1 Young Micah, Marco Pavé, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Dec6Thursday9pmVinnie DewayneVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Nov1Thursday9pmScootyKelly's Olympian
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Sep6Thursday9pmKayelaJVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Apr5Thursday9pmDead Phone DummiezVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Mar1Thursday9pmBochaSxlxmxn, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Feb1Thursday9pmBlossomThe Pariahs, Covi.Kelly's Olympian
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Dec7Thursday9pmVerbzTrox, Cool NutzKelly's Olympian
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Nov2Thursday9pmSumalienzVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Oct5Thursday9pmMarco PavéJon Belz, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Sep7Thursday9pmStevo The WeirdoRasheed Jamal, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Aug3Thursday9pmAl-OneWoody Beast, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Jul6Thursday9pmMightyRaquel Divar, Cory O, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Jun1Thursday9pmFountaineVerbzKelly's Olympian
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May15Monday6pmKorgy & BassRasheed JamalBloodworks Live Studio
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May4Thursday9pmSxlxmxnBravo Domo, Donte Thomas, Bocha, ePP, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Apr6Thursday9pmDead Phone DummiezVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Mar4Saturday9pmMic CapesDonte Thomas, Nick B, Bocha, Gifted Gab, VerbzStar Theater
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Mar3Friday9pmBlossomI$$A, VerbzDante's
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Mar3Mar 3 - 4MOGO Music FestivalWIN TICKETSPortland
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Mar2Thursday8pmMOGO Music Festival Opening PartyKelly's Olympian
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Feb2Thursday9pmBochaDead Phone Dummiez, Foday, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Jan5Thursday9pmThe PariahsVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Dec2Friday9pmDonte ThomasChief, Heff Boogie, Nick B, Verbz
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Dec1Thursday9pmROByThe Last Artful, Dodgr, Blossom, Drae Steves, Cory Kendrix, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Nov3Thursday9pmKarma RiveraI$$A, DMarx, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Oct6Thursday9pmDonte ThomasMic Mar, Nick B, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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May5Thursday9pmMartell WebsterSerge Severe, VerbzKelly's Olympian
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Mar3Thursday9pmVinnie DewayneVerbzKelly's Olympian
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Feb4Thursday9pmBrookfield DueceVerbzKelly's Olympian
