Slopfunkdust at Ol’ Dirty Sundays at Crowbar in Ybor City, Florida on January 1, 2017. Credit: Brian Mahar

There’s a moment the book “Dilla Time” where author and professor Dan Charnas writes about discussions on the Okayplayer message boards, and the moment when North Carolina rapper-producer Phonte posted the first-ever tracks by Little Brother (his then-nascent project with Dilla-influenced producer 9th Wonder).

“An Okayplayer from Florida posting as Slopfunkdust, offered to make the group their first web page, posting four Little Brother songs; after he launched it, the traffic crashed his server,” Charnas—who taught an NYU course on the producer who changed music forever—explained.

Really cool to hear @slopfunkdust.bsky.social mentioned in @dancharnas.bsky.social excellent book about Dilla. Slop is part of the Beat Marauders 2 lineup in Tampa on Friday www.cltampa.com/music/slopfu…

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— Ray Roa (@rayroa.bsky.social) May 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM

That’s all to say that the tenured Tampa producer—one of the best instrumental artists in the Bay—has always been on the cutting edge of hip-hop; that’s why this bill is a must-see for any self-respecting head hoping to also have a listen to what’s coming in the local scene.

Emergent scene staples like Johnny Champagne are on the poster along with Lion’s Den Podcast co-host Vinnie the Beat Dealer, Jefferson High School alum Jay Wizz, and more.

It’s $5 at the door for the Beat Marauders 2 showcase happening at Crowbar in Ybor City on Friday, May 30.

Readers are invited to submit their own events to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar.

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This article appears in May 22-28, 2025.