Our daily music video series here at the Fridge, Video Du Jour, has featured a wide array of artists covering the diversity contained in the musical spectrum. Hip hop occasionally receives its due attention via a Video Du Jour. However, one hip hop group near and dear to many hearts has somehow managed to slip through the cracks. So, before this editorial oversight evolves into a travesty the Fridge is opening its door to bring you a classic music video for a track that has yet to get old since its release years ago. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Opio, and the rest of Hieroglyphics were a breath of fresh air when they broke onto the scene, and remain to be so despite the passage of time.

“At The Helm” is classic Hieroglyphics, and in our opinion it is a track that belongs in hip ho history books. After all, “Life is a blast when you know what you’re doin”.

So dig right in to this classic music video for this great Hieroglyphics track “At the Helm”. And, if you are in the Denver area this weekend, be sure to head down to Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom for a special end of the world party Friday featuring Del tha Funkee Homosapien, as well as a DJ set from the man behind Stones Throw Records, Madlib.

~T.Kittle

What a blessing that decision turned out to be. Festival fatigue was already weaseling its way into the morale. Responsibility and moral hangovers made the notion of afternoon beers quite unnactractive. Then, Cherub took the stage. It did not take long for the infectious their infectious grooves and attitude to take hold. Before we knew what happened, cans of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale were being cracked open.

Capping it all off and paving the way for the rest of weekend was “Doses and Mimosas”. The track is simply irresistible. Since then, we have had the chance to catch Cherub in Denver, Boulder, Bloomington, and at the Forecastle Music Festival. Each of which we have urged people unfamiliar with Cherub to go out on a limb, and give these dudes from Nashville a shot. Each show, Cherub left handfuls of new fans.

The Sunday of SnowBall was our first opportunity to see Two Fresh live. The duo of Kendo and Shweez brought a prescription of smooth hip hop beats with doses of banging bass. Just what the doctor ordered. What really sets Two Fresh apart live is the addition of live drummer, Colby Buckler. To use a cliche, the guy does not miss a beat. The crisp sounds of live drums on top of adeptly produced beats, and Kendo Shweez adding their own sounds as well as effects on the via dual Native Instruments Maschines, well, is not something you want to miss.

Since catching Two Fresh at the SnowBall Music Festival, the duo has been hard at work crafting new sounds, constantly touring, and curating their own monthly music showcases entitled, Watch This!, in Denver. Even if you have caught Cherub, Two Fresh, or both before, this Saturday’s show is not one to miss. Cherub and Two Fresh are fresh off the release of their collaborative EP/project dubbed, Unplanned Parenthood. So one can only assume fans will be treated to the lush new sounds from Unplanned Parenthood as well some other potential collaborative surprises from the four guys that comprise Cherub and Two Fresh.

You can find a link to show details and ticket information below.

Two Fresh and Cherub | Bluebird Theater Denver, CO

Dig in, and if you have yet to pick up the Gaslamp Killer’s debut album, Breakthrough, be sure to do so immediately.

Our first course in this Free Music Friday is a week late, but the free mixtape is something that must be pulled out of the Fridge today. The mysterious bearded cartoon rapper known as Captain Murphy finally unveiled himself last Wednesday at Low End Theory. As many speculated, Captain Murphy turned out to none other Steve Ellison, better known as Flying Lotus. Scoop up the Captain Murphy Duality mixtape below.

Todays second course of free music downloads was featured right here on the Fridge two days. Friends of the Fridge Cherub and Two Fresh recently assembled a three track collaborative EP. The two duos, or four dudes, dubbed the project, fittingly enough, Unplanned Parenthood, and have been gracious enough to offer the end product of their efforts to loyal listeners for free.

While we typically like to keep as much diversity in our Free Music Friday offering, we cannot help but to include another course from the twins Kendo and Shweez that comprise Two Fresh. The duo just released a brand new mixtape. Dubbed Higher Than A Mile, this mixtape is packed full of tunes ripe for the club and trap tracks. Perfect to warm up any December weekend.

Last but not least we have a desert of one of the most energetic and captivating installments of the NPR Tiny Desk Concert series courtesy of Seattle’s Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Dig in. See you fine folks next week.

Captain Murphy | Duality

Cherub and Two Fresh | Unplanned Parenthood

Two Fresh | Higher Than a Mile

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis | NPR Tiny Desk Concert

Seattle is home to several self-aware, socially conscious hip hop artists, yet none have broached the subject of homosexuality as eloquently and honestly as Macklemore. The song is an uplifting message of empowerment, and embracing homosexuality as another extension of the battle for civil rights. The subject is taboo in the world of hip hop, yet Macklemore handles it with grace by relating his own perpective in clear cut rhymes that are more aptly described as poetry as opposed to lyrics.

Dig on into the music video for the truly special track, “Same Love”, from the 2012 album from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Heist.