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Metro Staff on January 22, 2020
One of the strangest pop stars of the 2010s, Riff Raff has cut a jagged neon line through rap, country and reality TV and has even dabbled in professional wrestling. Though the Houston performer began honing his outlandish persona in the late 2000s—appearing on MTV’s From G’s to Gents with the network’s…
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Nick Veronin on April 11, 2019
Born in Mobile, Alabama, OMB Peezy grew up in Sacramento and has recently been making a name for himself as part of the North Bay’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Signed to E-40’s Sick Wid It Records and 300 Entertainment, the Richmond-based rapper is in tight with other rising Yay Area talent, like Nef…
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
For a certain generation of San Jose denizens, the name 5606 brings back a lot of memories. Starting at the end of the 20th century, the downtown pop-punk band was a staple at just about every venue around the South Bay: the Campbell Gaslighter, the Chemical Free Zone, San Jose Skate, the…
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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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