Comrades&Homies

Rymeezee @ROTC 01/31/16

by

Rymeezee is a San Francisco MC I’ve know since the late nineties, and he was featured on my first debut cassette. It’s reassuring to witness an artist withstand the test of time, strengthen his grind, and continue developing. He is not only an emcee with an expansive catalog, but a fashion brand designer/ owner, juvenile justice case manage and a father of three boys.

Return of the Cypher will proudly have him as the featured performer on 01/31/16. Yours truly will be on hosting duties, alongside DJ Kevvy Kev, the Gem Stone Band, and all of our usual cast of dope characters.

Rymeezee ROTC

“Pyrex poetry with potency of potpourri/ I know they feel it in the big cities overseas”

02/03 Update: Event went wonderful.. it’s really refreshing to see artists we book at ROTC come through with hella people, bring their own cameraman, and then upload the performance video within few days..

Gigio- “Brainshine” Video

by

My ROTC comrade Gigio recently released the “Brainshine” video off of his “It’s An Everyday Thang (EP)” produced entirely by DRMDLR’s Tahaj the 1st. The video features cameos by members of his Smooth Beast crew, including my old school folks Monolyth. This dude stays blessing microphones at our event and Hip Hop shows in the Bay on a regular basis, and more importantly, he’s a humble soul who’s a pleasure to be around.

12/06/15 ROTC x HH4C 2nd Annual Toy Drive Hosted by Pep Love

by

On December 6th, 2015, Return of the Cypher will be teaming up with Hip Hop for Change to bring you our 2nd annual toy drive. For those of us unfamiliar with the above terms, ROTC is a weekly Hip Hop open-mic which occurs every Sunday evening at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco; it has arguably become SF Bay Area’s most successful regular Hip Hop event, and is frequented by local legends, a platoon of hungry MC’s from literally around the world, and weekly featured performers. HH4C is a NGO dedicated to battling socioeconomic disparities, police brutality, and cancerous corporate rap, through educational outreaches, grassroots canvassing, and local Hip Hop showcases.

Our 2nd Annual Toy Drive will be hosted by Pep Love from the legendary Hieroglyphics crew, feature a ROTC x HH4C mini-showcase, and also the December ’15 ROTC MVP competition. All collected toys will be donated to City Team, which will then distribute the gifts to youth living in impoverished conditions.

fly

12/07/15 Update: The Toy Drive a tremendous success!! We got everything from Spiderman drums to remote controlled puppies to mini jengas!! Thank you for participating!! We made an actual difference!!

Toys

XienHow “Process: the 7th Sign” Album Release Party

by

2FS comrade/ veteran emcee/ videographer XienHow will be celebrating the release of his “Process: the 7th Sign” album on November 20th, 2015 @the Elbo Room in San Francisco. It has been rumored for months now that the Valencia venue will close its doors, so this may be one of your last opportunities to enjoy a Hip Hop show there. The night will also serve as the release party for SF OG Aukwin, who will be presenting the “Aukthentic” album and will feature Z-Man as the master of ceremonials.

Xienhow Release

XienHow – “Toe Tagga” Music Video

Inkone “We Spit Bars” Video

by

Universal Zulu Nation member/ 2FS Produced Inkone just released the “We Spit Bars” video featuring Kenn Chron. Directed by OG graff writer Crayone and featuring cameo appearances by yours truly.

Inkone Graphic

“We Spit Bars” Extended Version: Yours truly trading bars with the homies at 1:35.

“We Spit Bars” Short Version

Soul Food House Opens in 麻布十番, Tokyo

by

My long time Tokyo road dawg/ MC David Whitaker and his awesome wife Tonya have materialized their long time dream of opening up an authentic soul food restaurant. Soul Food House opened on 09/23 in Azabu Jyuban, Tokyo. Congratulations!! I met David at an open mic he was hosting in Shibuya back in ’06, and we have rocked numerous shows together in the Tokyo metropolis. I give you my word that these guys can cook and that this is without a doubt the most authentic American soul food in Japan.

Soul Food I

Soul Food II

 

2nd Floor Samurais 10/03 IBike Concert, Union City

by

2nd Floor Samurais will be performing at the IBike Concert in Union City on 10/03. The comrade DJ Stikky Ricardo will be holding down the tables. The 2FS flier was designed by Marcus Murray, the artist responsible for all of my album covers and panda logos.

2FS Ibike

Ibike UC

Orukusaki Birthday Party 09/24

by

My brother Orukusaki will be celebrating his birthday at the Sky Lounge in San Mateo. We will be performing newer 2FS material from the upcoming album. Comrades Unlearn the World and Watzreal are also rocking with us, and the homie Mack Deezoe will act as the master of ceremonials.

Oruk B-Day

2FS (Orukusaki x Kensho Kuma) -> Come rock with us..

 

Mai Pen Ran Video by Mek Piisua feat. 山田マン

by

Mek Piisua is a Japanese MC/ business mogul/ high class player, located in Bangkok, Thailand. The Thania location of the Woodball chain is one of my rebel bases in Bangkok; it’s a Japanese style bar with a Japanese curry restaurant underneath. Anyway, Mek recently teamed up with Japanese Hip Hop legend Yamadaman, from the pioneering group Rappagariya, and dropped the “Mai Pen Rai” video. “Mai Pen Rai” roughly translates to never mind or it’s not a big deal.  The production is handled by DJ 2High, a Long Beach Japanese producer down with Snoop’s Dogg Pound. It was shot at Pattaya Beach, and let’s just say.. what happens in Pattaya, stays in Pattaya..

Mai Pen Rai

2nd Floor Saturday @the Showdown

by

2nd Floor Samurais (Kensho Kuma x Orukusaki) have recruited some of the deadliest swordzmen they know to bring a high quality Hip Hop event. It’s going down 09/05 @the Showdown in SF, and of course it’s free; we guarantee the absolute finest in independent lyricism, production, and hustle. Flier designed by Marcus Murray.

2nd Floor Saturday

 

These are the ronins that we reached out to and are confirmed:

Xienhow– veteran emcee formerly of Forensic Science, workaholic videographer, entrepreneur, Livenfire president..

Decap– ingenious yet humble producer who has worked with Talib Kweli, Bone Thugs, Masta Ace, Snoop.. currently prepping his solo album..

Unlearn the World– a MC’s MC.. a highly versatile and skilled lyricist who’ll gain any knowledgeable Hip Hopper as a fan.


Mack Deezoe– a MC who’ll teach you the difference between “swag” and “class.”