The duo behind Dope Folks Records, Milwaukee's boutique label for hip-hop's golden age, have a new record spin aimed to knock the dust off your Kangol hats and to get your Adidas on the dance floor.
With their recently launched label getting national acclaim, Dope Folks co-owners Chris Schulist and John Kuester are pairing the release of their the label's third record with Uptown Saturday Night, an old school hip-hop night that pays homage to the block parties of the 80's.
"Basically what we are going for is the hip-hop version of the Get Down," said Schulist referring to the long running monthly funk and soul record spin.
"We are throwing this event because we wanna have a fun, danceable night that doesn't rock top 40...I'm also a big fan of Mad Planet and think it makes perfect sense to do it at a slightly larger spot," Kuester said.
The label-mates will be joined by Schulist's Supercuts DJ partner Tristam Drager and special guest MCs including members of local rap heavyweights like the Rusty P's and KingHellBastard, Schulist said.
"Local MCs are going to come up and pretty much do the old school thing of freestyling on the mic over a really long disco rap beat," said Schulist, "That will be the most fun I think. The old-school toasting."
Uptown Saturday Night will also mark the release of the label's third record, Ruthless Rod and M.C. Dollar's "Loud as a Banshee +1 -!"
The record is a re-issue of the original 1989 album, along with a previously unreleased track that replaces a rap ballad that originally appeared on the album.
"With our label putting out releases every four-to-six weeks, a release party gives Milwaukeeans a chance to pick up our vinyl in person," Kuester said.
The inaugural Uptown Saturday Night will be somewhat of a test run. If the turnout is healthy Schulist and his partners are hoping to make it a monthly event, likely falling on the first Saturday of every month, Schulist said.
"It's the first full-on golden era hip-hop night. Just all the classic stuff people grew up on," Schulist said.
