From his lyrics to his T-shirts—even just in conversation—Hassan’s love for Las Vegas is overflowing. Like the city’s proud dad, the Vegas MC waxes poetic about the bars, the convenience and the culture every chance he gets, and we love him for it. Hassan’s affinity for Vegas is even more apparent listening to “#DTLV,” the first single off upcoming EP Da Fat Mamba, out Friday, July 17 (a digital stream is available now at Bandcamp). “Welcome to Downtown Las Vegas/Where lights are bright and cats are creative/The greatest place on Earth to work and play in,” he raps against Petula Clark’s “Downtown.” It’s impossible not to smile while listening to it.
“The song is so legendary to me, it would be a crime to just pick it apart,” Hassan says about using Clark’s tune for the meat of his single. “When I listen to songs like that, it reminds me of Downtown Vegas. I was just hoping to capture that essence and complement it.” Produced by fellow Vegas MC Trade Voorhees—who will join Hassan on Friday’s release-show bill at the Bunkhouse, along with Alex and his Meal Ticket and The Sideshow Tragedy—Da Fat Mamba boasts a lighter vibe than last year’s Fat, Black and Awesome. “[I’m] getting back to what Hassan is known for,” the rapper says. “A lot of metaphors, punch lines and current events.” It’s Hassan’s most outrageous, Vegas release yet, and it’s a jackpot.
Hassan with Trade Voorhees, Alex and his Meal Ticket, The Sideshow Tragedy. July 17, 8 p.m., $5 ($7 CD). Bunkhouse Saloon, 702-854-1414.
