The latest EP, Awakenings, by Sacramento hip-hop duo DLRN, performing January 19 at Pagoda Lounge, takes a big step away from the norm found on most hip-hop records, creating a sound that is almost unclassifiable. It mixes 80s electronic, experimental soundscapes, guest soul singers and straightforward, emotional rhymes—all backed by barebones old-school…
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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…
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Goldenchyld, a member of the Bangerz DJ crew, heard his share of fresh tracks in 2012, spending most weekend nights working clubs and crowding dance floors throughout the Bay Area. Here are his top picks for songs that stuck with him through the year.
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There was no shortage of bikinis, booze or balloons as Sunnyvale hub for adult entertainment AJ’s celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday.
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While masses of shoppers were pillaging local shopping malls, gangs of drug-crazed kids stripped down to candy bracelets and funny masks—at least that’s what mainstream media would like you to think—for an EDM Massive at San Jose Civic Auditorium. The party was, in fact, pretty typical for big DJ events these days,…
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Branham Lounge kicked off the holiday weekend right with Black Wednesday, featuring Goldenchyld and Gwerx behind the decks. Metro photographer Ian Healy was there to catch the action.
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A self-proclaimed “pioneer of Gothic Hip Hop” San Jose’s Kung Fu Vampire had a big year in 2012, booking his longest national tour to date and recording with three industry vets: E-40, Tech N9ne and Brotha Lynch Hung. We caught up with KFV on the road to find out his favorite songs…
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It’s official: Electronic Dance Music is mainstream. From the Grammy-nabbing, high-grossing wobble fests of Skrillex to the schizophrenic hip-hop hooks of Diplo to the surging house beats of David Guetta, EDM has expanded far beyond teenagers gnawing flashing binkys in a crumbling warehouse in an old shipyard.
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Still going strong after 25 years after his first major label release, Oakland rapper Too Short made a rare appearance Saturday in San Jose for a concert at Fiesta Nightclub.
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R&B crooner Mayer Hawthorne returned to his DJ roots for a full house at Pagoda Lounge on Friday for the two-year anniversary of Live at the Pagoda.
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