by
David Ma on March 23, 2016
Cutting against the grain has pretty much always been Rich Quitevis’ thing. The San Francisco-born Quitevis, better known as DJ Qbert, just prefers zagging where others zig. “You ever see schools of fish at the aquarium?” he asks. “They’re all swimming in the same direction but there’s one that’s swimming backwards the other…
Continue reading »
by
David Ma on February 10, 2016
It’s no easy task to be a creator of throwback sounds in this modern era without sounding overly derivative, disingenuous, or worse yet, like a novelty act. But for the last few years, Pasadena-based Dam-Funk (pronounced “Dame-Funk”) has earned underground and critical acclaim doing just that. Born Damon Riddick, the producer and vocalist…
Continue reading »
Best of Lists’ are tricky and ultimately personal choices. It’s also hard keeping up with so many genres all demanding equal attention. But 2012 saw a minor-rap renaissance (thus the rap-centric picks) as well as a reemergence of dance music in the mainstream, both of which have been underway for the last…
Continue reading »
“I’m about being carefree and having fun. I just hope that comes out through the music,” says 25-year-old rapper Wiz Khalifa, who headlines San Jose Event Center at San Jose State on November 10 for his 2050 Tour.
Continue reading »
“Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” was Mayer Hawthorne’s first foray into modern soul music. The red, heart-shaped 45 released on Stones Throw in 2008 caught fire in year of forgettable singles, propelling Mayer Hawthorne’s career into the stratosphere. Four years later, he’s revisiting his roots on October 26 at the Pagoda Lounge.
Continue reading »
This Friday, July 27, some of San Jose’s finest DJs/producers bring Treatment Sound System back to The Pagoda with off-kilter, booming digital compositions unique to the South Bay Area.
Continue reading »
My pick for mix-of-the-week is an easy one: Future So Bright by South Bay beatsmiths/DJs Goldenchyld and G-Wrex both of The Bangerz. It kills, delivering warm vibes with propulsive bass to your face. I took a quick second to grab some quotes from the gentlemen behind it. According to them: “The goal was to create a summer…
Continue reading »
Stanford is known for their labs, clinics, sports teams and ubiquitous sweatshirts—not hip-hop. And certainly not two huge West Coast rappers, the legendary E-40 and rookie-of-the-year lyricist, Kendrick Lamar. Bother perform at the university Sunday, May 20.
Continue reading »
“The Sticky Lab started in 1995 in my mom’s living room,” says Jerry Dalalo, known locally as Jerry D or Jerry Da Hermit, the producer and studio engineer who operates one of the most prolific and unassuming studios in the South Bay, Sticky Lab and its subsequent label, Sticky Note Records. “The…
Continue reading »
