PREVIEW: Rap Clinics Debut With A Stacked Local Hip Hop Showcase
03/15 @ Empire Underground, Albany
Photo by Emcee Graffiti
“With this being our inaugural event, we made it a priority to create a lineup that is both expansive and engaging.”
Anytime I hear the phrase “hip hop”, I can’t help but think of that scene in Big Daddy where Rob Schneider is attempting to read the word hippopotamus. “Hip? Hip Hop? Hip Hop Anonymous?” It lives rent free in my head. And as happy as that movie made 12-year-old me, I’m equally as happy today that Ab the Audicrat and Xkwisit are forging a path to make sure no one in our local scene could ever be considered… hip hop anonymous.
I know what you’re thinking: that was a really lame connection. And you’re right, hypothetical reader of this article. It’s a massive stretch to link a 1999 Adam Sandler movie to a stacked, local hip hop showcase happening this Saturday. But what’s done is done and I regret nothing. Yet. So before I do, let’s get into why we’re here…
At the end of last year, with much planning and many discussions behind them, Tim Sullivan (Xkwisit) and Brendan Paulsen (Ab the Audicrat) founded Rap Clinics LLC – a promotions venture with a clear goal: to highlight local emerging artists of all levels and provide a space where those acts can come together to showcase their talents. Their debut event is happening Saturday, March 15th at Empire Underground in Albany, and features headlining act 38 Spesh with support from a diverse lineup of local and regional performers.
“After years of planning and envisioning a major event, we felt there was no better time than now to bring our vision to life,” they told me.
38 Spesh is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur from Rochester, NY, known for his gritty street narratives and soulful, hard-hitting production. Since emerging in the mid-2000s, he has built a reputation for his raw lyricism, intricate storytelling, and signature boom-bap sound that’s as captivating as “The Kangaroo Song”. (Final Big Daddy reference, I promise.)
Hoping to appeal to a wide and diverse audience, Rap Clinics aims to bring together a group of artists with a variety of approaches and styles to hip hop artistry. With Saturday’s lineup featuring Bad Seed, Timbo King, JB!! aka Dirty Moses, Shyste, BumRush, Mo Rukuz and DJ White Lotus, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.
“With this being our inaugural event, we made it a priority to create a lineup that is both expansive and engaging. While the event is primarily tailored to a Boom Bap audience, we believe the selected artists offer a broader appeal that transcends the typical rap listener, providing a well-rounded experience for all in attendance.”
In addition to the aforementioned artists, Ab the Audicrat will be DJing several sets throughout, including a dedicated set with Xkwisit featuring music he’s produced entirely on his own. The two have nearly 25 years of collaboration under their belts and feel confident taking the stage for the event.
“We’ve been rehearsing weekly to ensure our performance is seamless and well-prepared,” Paulsen shared. “While stepping into the DJ role for the first time on a stage of this scale has been a challenging experience, I feel confident and ready. And Xkwisit and I have developed a strong chemistry, working together with the precision and synergy of a seasoned duo.”
Not only are they a seasoned duo onstage, but they’ve been active supporters of our music scene for decades. Although hip hop has always had a significant presence in the area, recently it’s felt stronger than ever. With every new song that’s released – a lot of which have Ab the Audicrat’s fingerprints on them – it’s made clear the talent around here is second to none. Establishing Rap Clinics is their way of highlighting all of that talent, pairing it with artists that might have a wider, regional reach, and allowing the opportunity for bigger audiences for all.
“Rap Clinics marks the beginning of what we hope will become an ongoing series of impactful hip hop events,” the duo said. “Our long-term goal is to establish a collection of annual events that not only showcase emerging talent and legendary acts but also provide a platform for local artists to shine.”
Tickets are available at https://www.ticketmaster.com/38-spesh-albany-new-york-03-15-2025/event/300061927747112A.
This special event is proudly sponsored by Kushy Dreams, who will have exclusive merchandise on-site and a raffle giveaway for attendees. You can also keep up with Rap Clinics via their Instagram.
