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Nick Veronin on February 13, 2019
Anerae Brown is not the only rapper to keep a career afloat from behind bars. However, the dedication and ingenuity Brown demonstrated while serving a 31-year sentence for first degree murder are certainly notable. Over the course of his 26 years in prison, he released 12 albums, recording grainy flows over a…
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Nick Veronin on January 9, 2019
The short bio on El Guapo’s Facebook page goes a long way toward explaining the band’s aesthetic: “We were sent here by the gods of rock to destroy cities and melt faces.” Indeed. Formerly known as The Red Phantom, this San Jose experimental metal outfit deals out spastic bursts of heavy guitars…
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Nick Veronin on July 26, 2018
Though he may not be recognized by a large national audience, Keak Da Sneak is a legend among Bay Area hip-hop heads and is an influential force within rap music, broadly speaking. A pioneer of the hyphy sound, Keak’s trademark gravelly vocals and stuttering delivery are instantly identifiable, while his infectious turns…
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Nick Veronin on June 27, 2018
For more than a decade now, San Jose promoter, hip-hop head and all around awesome dude, Andrew Moyco (a.k.a. AudioDru) has been organizing The Cypher. It’s been a place for local emcees and turntablists to strut their stuff and test their bars. It’s also hosted Open Mike Eagle, Hieroglyphics, Sirah, Kung Fu…
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Winona Rajamohan on June 21, 2018
Listening to his band’s new music, Gabriel Maciel says he can’t help but hear the difference. “I can just tell, there seems to be more motivation and passion,” says the founder, guitarist and lead singer for San Jose indie trio The Trims.
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Avi Salem on May 18, 2018
Make America hyphy again at the Back Bar SoFa, where Northern California rappers Clyde Carson, Celly Cel and Big Tone will get live for an evening that will undoubtedly include thizz dancing and hopefully, at least one audience singalong to Mac Dre’s “Feeling Myself.” Carson, known as the former leader of rap…
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Salvatore Maxwell on March 29, 2018
Get ready to feel the weight of your years—then dance it all away. BackBar SoFa is taking it way back with a celebration of hip-hop and R&B’s hottest hits from the ’90s and early ’00s. There will be four guest DJs breaking it down on the ones and twos, and photographers will…
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Stephen Perez on February 2, 2018
San Jose indie-funk trio Nu Ethnic celebrate the release of their first EP, Learning to Fly. The group have made a name for themselves blending smooth math rock with soulful vocals and groovy rhythms. On a demo version of their song “Strong,” Nu Ethnic spin up a contagious mix of moody R&B…
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Yousif Kassab on January 26, 2018
The early 2010s marked the beginning of a new trend—just about every rapper, from J. Cole to Big K.R.I.T, began singing the hook themselves. Another example of this tradition can be found in Houston rapper Kirko Bangz’s hit single “Drank in My Cup.” Delivered over a glittering, synth-heavy instrumental, the track is…
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Before he went gold as a solo artist with 1998’s Thugged Out: The Albulation, Yukmouth was one half of The Luniz, the crew who dropped what is arguably the greatest weed-smoking anthem ever to come from the Bay Area (and there’ve been a lot): “I Got 5 On It.” Since then the…
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