$8 in advance/$10 at the door

10:30pm doors/11pm showtime

21+

Mega Ran:

Random, aka Mega Ran, aka RandomBeats... Teacher, Rapper, Hero.

When LA Weekly said that Ran’s “fanbase and niche audiences are growing at a rate not seen since Tech N9ne,” they meant it. A former middle school teacher, Mega Ran (formerly Random) blends education, hip-hop and gaming in amazing new ways, penetrating the farthest reaches of the galaxy with his unique rhyme style and electric performances.

Ran cut his teeth in the city of Philadelphia as a moonlighting emcee and producer, performing, freestyle rapping, producing and later engineering at a studio. After relocating to Phoenix, competing in the Scribble Jam emcee battle championships and taking an early exit, Ran almost quit before he was even started, when a creative lightning bolt struck, and a fire was lit. 

Various video game developer co-signs and admiration from the genre’s toughest critics have led to placements in TV, movies, university coursework, and of course, games. Random’s music and story have been shared on stages across the world, on television (ABC/NBC News, ESPN, Portlandia, Tosh.O, WWE Wrestling) and in leading music, gaming and tech publications, print and online.

Today, Random is no longer a teacher by title, but maintains a rigorous touring and recording schedule, traveling the world to entertain and educate through the gift of rhyme. With over 3 million YouTube views and a legion of smart art fans he calls “Team Mega” beside him, the future looks brighter than ever.

The Microphone Misfitz:

"The Microphone Misfitz are the epitome of the acronym HIPHOP – Healthy Independent People Helping Other People – the Chicago based group's music focuses on the themes of living for a healthier state of mind, uplifting those who are trying to find their path in this world, and rejuvenating the fundamentals of what Hip-Hop truly is. The Misfitz crew can collectively provide an eclectic performance of all 5 Elements of Hip-Hop: Emceein' Master-of-Ceremonies (MC), B-Boying (Break Dancing), Graffiti (Urban Street Art), DJ (Live Turntable Scratching), and finally the collective of Knowledge, Culture and over standing. Each member adds their own flavor to the overall Misfitz experience. Kin Solo & Jet Nam AKA Jet9 are the choreographer & movement artists. Ray of Light is the high octane hype-man & MC. Mel L. is the Graff artist, vocalist, & road DJ. DJ Mar & Mike Knobel (aemka) are the production team and D-Nick is the lead MC, lyricist & artistic director of the group. The Microphone Misfitz have toured overseas in Algeria, multiple Comic Cons, SXSW, & Navy Pier, The Fitz have also opened for great artist like KRS One, Jeru Tha Damaja, Saul Williams Professor Griff, Brother Ali & more.

The Microphone Misfitz are also educators on Hip-Hop & Social justice in Chicago, IL working with Columbia Collage Chicago, Changing worlds, & Civic Leadership Foundation.

Joe Horton & Ghostband:

(members of Mixed Blood Majority, No Birds Sing, Def Kith)

Joe Horton:

Before choosing the stage name Eric Blair, it’s no surprise that Twin Cities-based emcee and fiction writer Joe Horton turned to one of his favorite writers for inspiration. Eric Blair is the given name of the author better known to the world as George Orwell. Horton’s lyrics reflect the explorative tone of Orwell’s work, following an often shaded and winding path through the trappings of social, emotional and intellectual conformity.

Early in his career, Horton wrote and performed spoken-word pieces at coffee shops in his native Milwaukee. While studying Psychology at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Horton began transitioning to songs, longer poems and short stories. After moving to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Horton began seriously writing prose and enrolled in the MFA program at Hamline University. He is currently working on an experimental novella entitled Gods of Mischief.

Horton is also currently working with the Loft Literary Center as a Youth Mentor. Horton is best known as the emcee for alternative hip-hop trio No Bird Sing, whose debut LP (self-titled) received local and national attention for its unique approach to the genre. Horton has performed with acts such as Saul Williams, P.O.S., Peter Wolf Crier, Heiruspecs, Derrick Brown, Kill the Vultures and Lookbook.

Ghostband:

Following a string of well-received cassette releases on his own Valhallic imprint (in addition to recent collaborations with the likes of Dosh and Kill The Vultures), Anticon-affiliated multi-instrumentalist / producer Jon Davis (aka Ghostband) offers his next album, Colder. Elaborating on the braindance by way of eski aesthetic of Grime Synthesis (while simultaneously integrating the throwback jungle vibe of Glory), Ghostband’s latest is an action-packed sequence of knocking breaks and synth shadows quaking atop ominous subterranean basslines. Forays into banging techno, glitchy breakcore and ambient minimalism add many a twist to an hour-long stepper’s dream. Strictly hardware to the core, Davis backs it up live, demonstrating the difference between what’s merely cool and what’s stone cold.