Groundwaves 2019 has officially been concluded! Last night was easily the most fun i’ve had in a really long time, what a perfect ending to one of the dopest years of my life.
The cypher style format was a refreshing change of pace for the finale and I thoroughly enjoyed the shit out of it. I had at least six close friends in the audience that have supported me since before I ever even held a microphone and that was one of the coolest feelings I’ve ever had (Much love to John, Sabrena, Nick, Chris, Fedor, & Jamie; you guys are the f***ing best). One of my other all-time favorite artists was also in attendance and quietly watched the entire show from the fourth row. S/O to The Grouch!
I’m not one to hold back on words but it’s difficult for me to articulate exactly how significant this entire platform has been for me this last six months, the whole experience has changed my life in multiple ways and there’s not enough words in the dictionary to express my gratitude.
I should probably start by sharing a brief backstory (after all, I am a writer). After spending several years securing my market and fanbase in both Wyoming and Utah, my next step was to someday find a way to break into the Colorado market. I’ve only ever performed there once in Cortez back in 2014 on my very first tour w/ the homie Burn but it was the most vacant show of the whole tour (no disrespect Cortez, lol). I always dreamed of the day when I would return to perform around the Denver & Foco area but never in a million years would I have guessed that one of my all-time favorite artists would be the one to come along and give me the opportunity to do just that.
It was only less than a week after releasing my mixtape in May when I first heard the news that Murs would be hosting a monthly open-mic circuit only four and a half hours away from where I live. I’ve been listening to this dude’s music since I was twelve (2004) and he has been responsible for a large portion of my life’s soundtrack. I traveled to Utah & Colorado to see him perform several times while I was in high school and I shook his hand and got an autograph at the end of every show I ever saw him play. That being said, having the opportunity to perform my songs in front of one of my idols and a community of like-minded hip-hop connoisseurs was a no-brainer.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at first given that I’ve never performed an open-mic format before, tbh I was a little worried that it wouldn’t be worth the time and money necessary to make the trip each month but after the first event, I was quickly rewarded with praise and acceptance from one of the most supportive music communities I’ve ever encountered and I immediately knew that we were onto something special. Six months later, I’ve developed close relationships with not only Murs himself, but some extremely talented artists and musicians that I am lucky to call my friends for life.
I was even fortunate enough to meet with Murs for private mentorship meetings on three separate occasions and I think we’ve gotten to know each other quite well over the course of this year. Dude has an impeccable hustle and work ethic and spends every waking moment off-stage doing anything he can to help benefit aspiring emcees and help further the culture as a whole. He was kind enough to keep tabs on me from time to time and ask how my album was coming along and how my release party went, last night he told me that he was proud of me and even repeated himself to make sure that I heard him. Definitely one of the most humble figures in hip-hop and I will forever cherish the opportunity he has given me and countless others. Thank you Murs 🙏
After talking with some of my new artist homies, it’s safe to say that I definitely will be returning to Colorado to perform in the very near future. Groundwaves is rumored to return in Spring 2020 but in the meantime, I will do whatever I can to help support both the community and the aforementioned artists. Speaking of, I will be returning to Foco on 12/21 to rock the CO-OP open-mic hosted by the homies Bad Neighbors. Hope to see some familiar faces!
I could probably make this post much longer but i’ll think i’ll just keep it at that. Thank you Fort Collins for showing this outsider a good time, y’all some real ones. See you in 2020!
