“We wanted a revolution, but they just ran us around in circles. Here to speak truth, to say what needs to be said,” says the Bandcamp page for Free the Optimus, a hip-hop collective whose members are based in Boone and Asheville. The group was founded by lead emcee, C.Shreve the Professor, who is about to launch his new album, Summer Ransom. A single of the same name was just released as a video, filmed and directed by Andrew Anderson. The track — which blends a laid-back, light-infused melody with a taut beat and uplifting, hard-hitting lyrics — plays like an ode to a summer that’s only just begun. And, as explanation for the collective’s name, Shreve raps, “If I really freed my optimus, I’d have a reach like an octopus.” Free the Optimus plays an album release show at The One Stop on Thursday, July 10, at 11 p.m. $5. ashevillemusichall.com. Photo courtesy of C.Shreve
Smart bets: Free the Optimus
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