Today, stalwart Portland-based producer Sxlxmxn released a new remix beat tape, Xutakes 2, via Bandcamp. Specializing in smooth, instrumental hip-hop, Sxlxmxn’s new project follows up the beatmaker’s 2019 tape Xutakes Vol 1—which starts off with a sweet Sade sample, and later samples Jay Z’s “Lucifer”—and June’s five-track University Park EP, which featured the likes of trumpeter Farnell Newton, and songs named after icons like Kanye West, Jay Electronica, and local landmark Alberta Street Market. Even better: Tonight (Fri Feb 19) Sxlxmxn will play at this month’s installment of local label Thirsty City’s titular hip-hop beat showcase. It takes place at Kenton Club, and also features beatmakers like Oakland’s Stanley Ipkuss (I love a The Mask reference), Elusive (of Alpha Pup Records), and rapper/producer/musician A’Revolution, AKA Alexandra Washington, a relative newcomer to the Portland hip-hop scene. by Jenni Moore