TOPE recently produced an entire EP for Miami artist Swa Playmaker, available this summer. After releasing the first single Flights, Swa and TOPE team up again for "First Love." Be on the lookout for more music and the official video for Flights dropping soon for Swa Playmaker.
TOPE recently stopped in Moab, Utah on the 3AM Tour and sat down with Jenna Talbott for an in depth interview that made the front page of the Moab Sun News.
"Portland-raised rapper “TOPE” has set out on his largest tour to date, and he's sweeping through Moab to play a free 21-and-over show at Club Rio on Saturday, June 11.
Anthony Rian has released three albums, and is slowly releasing singles from his newest album, “3AM in Oakland.” Rian earned the name TOPE through his teens when he became a fixture at Portland’s local hip-hop showcases and freestyle cyphers.
TOPE moved to Oakland within the past year.
“It’s been the first time in a while I’ve been able to take a break, slow down, and take the time to think about what I really want to say as an artist,” Rian said. “It’s been me up with my thoughts real late at night. One night it dawned on me that ‘3AM in Oakland’ summed up the vibe of that moment of clarity – being able to reflect and move forward.”
Read the full feature HERE:
TOPE recently sat down with Jared Rasic from Bend's The Source Weekly to speak on the Portland Rap scene, musical influences, the independent artist grind, and more. The 3AM Tour comes to Bend, OR next Wednesday, June 15th for a free show at the Astro Lounge with special guest Caitlin Cardier. RSVP
The Source Weekly: How has the Portland rap scene influenced you?
TOPE: There's so many people in the Portland scene who have helped me along the way. I wouldn't be the artist I am without Portland and everything I experienced there. I think that's one of the great things about the scene there is that it's not hard to tap in, meet everyone, start doing shows and network. I used to hate on how small Portland was when I lived there, but after I moved I started to understand that's one of the things that makes it great. People are actually pretty open to hearing new artists and it seems to be doing better than ever right now. Portland's rap scene challenged me because I didn't always feel accepted and I still don't. I feel like I had to make a lot of things happen myself while a lot of people doubted me, but it was good for me.
Read the full interview HERE.
Catch TOPE on KSJS 90.5 FM TONIGHT at 10PM talking the 3AM Tour and more with Vibe Called West and Da Maddhouze in the building! If you're in the Bay listen in live, if not you can stream live here: http://ksjs.org/listen/
What’s your biggest advice for other indie artists out there who are looking to set up their own tours?
I think you have to have buzz in your hometown first. A lot of people overlook the importance of having a fan base at home first. If you can’t pack a show at home it’s going to be hard for you to pack a show anywhere else.
Also, make sure your live show is ready for the road, DO NOT rap over your own vocals besides choruses and some back up vocals. Thats the worst thing I see, people just rap over their CD. Then once you can book shows in other towns, its very important to network with other MCs in these cities.
Without these local opening acts or a major radio hit its going to be almost impossible to pack a show out of town. Overall make sure you’re ready, buzz and performance wise. Don’t be afraid to open for someone else in their town if they have a bigger draw, it might benefit you show and reach in the long run.
Read the full interview HERE via STOPTHEBREAKS.com
Limited Edition itsTOPE Sticker Packs are now available for order - $4 for 4 stickers. Visit the TOPE STORE to order yours today before the 3AM tour kicks off!
On the heals of releasing BETTER PLACE and announcing his 3AM Tour, The Deli Magazine has nominated TOPE for San Francisco Artist of the Month! One year after relocating from Portland, TOPE is starting to pick up some momentum again after the release of new music and the announcement of his new album, 3AM IN OAKLAND coming this summer. Be sure to hit the link below to vote for TOPE in The Deli Magazine's Artist Of The Month Poll. Also, check out the full 3AM Tour dates below:
6/1 San Jose, CA - Back Bar
6/2 Fresno, CA - Studio 951
6/3 Lompoc, CA - Johnny's B&G
6/4 Los Angeles, CA - The BLVD
6/5 San Diego, CA - Kava Lounge
6/7 Albuquerque, NM - Burt's Tiki Lounge
6/8 Las Vegas, NV - Boomer's
6/10 Yuma, AZ - The Alement
6/11 Moab, UT - Club Rio
6/13 Salt Lake City, OR - Dawg Pound
6/15 Bend, OR - Astro
6/14 Boise, ID - The Shreddar
6/16 Olympia, WA - Le Voyeur
6/17 Bellingham, WA - Swillery
6/18 Seattle, WA - Columbia City Theater
6/19 Portland, OR - Kelly's Olympian
6/21 Salem, OR - Kraftworks
6/22 Sacramento, CA - The Blue Lamp
6/23 Reno, NV - Jub Jub's
6/25 Stockton, CA - Hookah Lounge
6/27 San Francisco, CA - The Showdown
6/28 Oakland, CA - Stork Club
It's been almost a year since rising Portland artist TOPE packed up his bags, dropped the single Miss Me When I'm Gone, and moved to Oakland to pursue music full time.
Since leaving the City of Roses, TOPE has toured with Gift Of Gab, produced for Slum Village, dropped another classic beat tape in his FREE LEMONADE series, created his own PR firm, licensed some music to the Oxygen's Bad Girls Club and that is only some of his accolades from this year. Now halfway through 2016, TOPE is gearing up for a huge summer. With a 23 city tour and new album to follow, TOPE has no plans of slowing down.
Back and even better, TOPE releases the visual for the Stewart Villain produced single, Better Place. Directed by Evan Crocker and filmed in some of San Francisco's most iconic locations: Dolores Park, Clarion Alley, Grace Cathedral, and the Golden Gate Bridge - visually, Better Place might be TOPE's most striking video to date. Lyrically, TOPE picks up where he left off on MMWIG. He gives us the details on his move to the Bay, personal life, budding music career and much more over a classic Lauryn Hill sample freaked by one of the NW's top producers Stewart Villain.
Plus be on the look out for the 3AM Tour this summer and TOPE's new album 3AM IN OAKLAND coming soon as well!
Portland's own Cool Nutz and Bosko tap Detroit legends Slum Village for the remix to Best & Worst produced by TOPE off of Cool Nutz upcoming album Never Play Yaself. Originally debuted by Okayplayer for Dilla Weekend.
Cool Nutz - Best & Worst Remix ft Slum Villge & Bosko [Produced by TOPE] @CoolNutz @SlumVillage @BoskoLive @itsTOPE Portland Rapper and mogul, Cool Nutz releases his latest single Best & Worst featuring the legendary Slum Village and Bosko, produced by the Portland to Oakland transplant, TOPE. After touring together for most of 2015, Cool Nutz reached out to SV about joining him and longtime collaborator Bosko, on the remix to speak on the ones that hold them down through the thick and the thin. Soulful vocals from Bosko on the hook (most recently know for his work on Big Boi's Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors) and TOPE's signature sped up, warm samples find T3, Young RJ, and Cool Nutz right at home. Appearing on Cool Nutz new album, N.P.Y (Never Play Ya Self) dropping February 23rd this song will definitely resonate with Slum Village and Dilla heads worldwide. Turn it up!
TOPE steps behind the boards and produces the latest single for Miami's Swa Playmaker entitled, Flights. Be on the lookout for an entire EP from Swa produced by TOPE who has previously worked with Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Akon, and more.
Stream Flights below:
Kicking off June 1st in San Jose, TOPE embarks on his largest tour to date. Sponsored by Da Maddhouze, Da Movement Ink, Current Culture with performances by 1Lady, Louis Archer, Mongoyo, and Stevo The Weirdo (on select dates) all hosted by Verbz. Peep the full schedule below and catch the squad when they come to your town.
6/1 San Jose, CA - Back Bar
6/2 Fresno, CA - Studio 951
6/3 Lompoc, CA - Johnny's B&G
6/4 Los Angeles, CA - The BLVD
6/5 San Diego, CA - Kava Lounge
6/7 Albuquerque, NM - Burt's Tiki Lounge
6/8 Las Vegas, NV - Boomer's
6/10 Yuma, AZ - The Alement
6/11 Moab, UT - Club Rio
6/13 Salt Lake City, OR - Dawg Pound
6/15 Bend, OR - Astro
6/14 Boise, ID - The Shreddar
6/16 Olympia, WA - Le Voyeur
6/17 Bellingham, WA - Swillery
6/18 Seattle, WA - Columbia City Theater
6/19 Portland, OR - Kelly's Olympian
6/21 Salem, OR - Kraftworks
6/22 Sacramento, CA - The Blue Lamp
6/23 Reno, NV - Jub Jub's
6/25 Stockton, CA - Hookah Lounge
6/27 San Francisco, CA - The Showdown
6/28 Oakland, CA - Stork Club
Catch TOPE live at San Francisco State University hosted by Q of KMEL this Thursday 10/17 at 6PM.
TOPE hits the road with Verbz for his Catch Me While You Can Tour starting this Wednesday 9/23 in San Jose and ending in Atlanta for a coveted A3C slot. Check out the full dates below.
9/23 San Jose @ Back Bar
9/24 San Mateo @ Sky Lounge
9/25 San Francisco @ The Honey Hive
9/26 Reno. NV @ Singer Social Club
9/27 Ashland @ Club 66
9/29 Salem @ Kraftworks
9/30 Eugene @ Luckey's
10/1 Portland @ Kelly's Olympian
10/2 Everett @ The Jet
10/3 Bellingham @ Swillery
10/6 - 10/11 Atlanta @ A3C
Tope recently received a placement on OXYGEN network's season premiere of The Bad Girls Club. The song "UCOULDO" off his 2014 Broke Boy Syndrome release is featured during a party scene. You can check out the episode on Oxygen.com.