The 1st 2FS show of 2016 is scheduled to be January 30th @the Chapel in San Francisco. Our comrade Rafael Sarria’s multi-genre band La Gente will be celebrating their album release, and the Samurais are proudly opening for them. Also, ROTC general Emcee Infinite is also on the bill.. This event is sure to sell out, so get your tickets here. Also, be sure to like the 2nd Floor Samurais artist page here.
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.
“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..
2nd Floor Samurais will be performing live at the Arte y Tapas Holiday Festival on 12/20/2015. The event is at 83 Proof (83 1st St. SF 94105) and tickets are only 5$. The festival is being headlined by La Gente, a multilingual, multi-genre band led by our comrade Raphael Sarria. This is also a wonderful opportunity to check out local artisans and food vendors..
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.
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!!
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 – “Toe Tagga” Music Video
Hip Hop for Change, a NGO dedicated to fighting socioeconomic injustice, police brutality, and the evils of corporate rap radio, through grassroots activism, educational outreach, and Hip Hop showcases, is organizing a Hip Hop Halloween party on 10/29. As you know, I proudly serve as a board member for this organization, and Halloween is the one holiday I care about, so needless to say, I will go all out.. I will be retiring the 510 Japanda Thug costume I have been developing for numerous Halloweens, and will debut something completely new. My group 2FS will be rocking with many of the usual suspects.. This party will also serve as my boy Unlearn the World’s birthday party.
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.
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.
2FS (Orukusaki x Kensho Kuma) -> Come rock with us..
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.
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.”
Kensho Kuma 2015 Summer Asia Tour Dates -> All confirmed dates will be announced on this blog!
Akasaka, Tokyo w/Cloud NI9E and David Whitaker
Takatsuki, Osaka w/Cloud NI9E and DJ Godz
Hirakata, Osaka w/ Cloud NI9E and Gebo
Umeda, Osaka w/ DJ Shin
Chengdu, China w/ Just Charlie, Jovian, and DJ Superbestfriend
Bangkok, Thailand w/ DJ Spydamonkee and Mek Piisua
Bangkok, Thailand w/ Yamadaman from Rappagariya and Mek Piisua
