Hip Hop 4 Change 5 Year Anniversary

As you hopefully know by now, Hip Hop for Change is a non-profit which combats socioeconomic inequalities and societal prejudices through the implementations of educational outreach with Hip Hop-based curriculum, grassroots canvassing, and local music showcases. I am extremely proud of Khafre Jay, the entire HH4C staff, and the educators, for reaching their 5 Year Anniversary. Yours truly has had the privilege of serving on the board of directors for the past several years, and it’s always been humbling to have my name associated with the organization. On 05/04/2018, HH4C will be celebrating its anniversary at Elbo Room in Oakland.. yours truly will be rocking alongside comrades Khafre Jay, Unlearn the World (who is HH4C’s education director, and it makes sense because he’s smart as hell), Watzreal, and Breathless. Bay Area OG turntablist Ren the Vinyl Archeologist will be the DJ for the evening.  Get your tickets here.

Last 2FS Shows before Asia Tour

2nd Floor Samurais will be performing three shows on American soil before we go tour in Asia. The first of the three installments is NGO Hip Hop for Change‘s monthly Concrete Roots event at the Legionnaire in Oakland on 07/20/17. We will be headlining the event, DJ Netwerk is holding down our set, JPZ is hosting, and our allies Dr. Charity Clay and Blackcloud MC are also on the roster.

On 07/22/17, we will be performing at the Precita Eyes 21st Annual Urban Arts Festival. This event is an outdoor celebration with kid stations and community booths.  Patrons are encouraged to bring their own paint to bomb the walls. Our R.O.T.C. brethren Unlearn the World will rock this one as well..

Later that Saturday, we will support Namaste Pizza’s Grand Opening of their Pleasanton restaurant. The first 100 guests will receive a FREE medium pizza of their choice!! Our R.O.T.C. infantry, including Watzreal, Breathless, and Unlearn the World, will be doing performances and freestyles alongside 2FS.

 

HH4C Halloween Costume Party

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.

HH4C Halloween

2015 Hip Hop in the Park

UC Berkeley’s Students for Hip Hop will be hosting their 19th annual “Hip Hop in the Park” on 05/02/15. This annual celebration has a special place in my heart; I remember attending in high school when my mentors Group Uv Nutz killed the stage.. also, I opened for Frontline at this event back in ’03 or ’04.. This year, yours truly will be rocking with my comrades Breathless and BPos.  The headliner is the critically acclaimed Fashawn.. this is my favorite verse from dude..

Hip Hop in the Park Flier

ROTC TV Episodes #1-5

Return of the Cypher now has an official weekly webisode series thanks to my brother Orukusaki and Tefari Casas from Filmatic Productions. Each ROTC TV episode will feature cyphers on and off the stage, the Gem Stone Band, DJ Kevvy Kev rocking the dance floor, featured performers, and patron interviews. Oruk will be the regular anchor, but I’ll cover for him when he’s out on assignments. Here are the first five episodes, enjoy.. Just always remember, ROTC is every Sunday evening at the Boom Boom Room in SF, and it’s always free and never will be canceled. All episodes shot by Tef @Filmatic Productions, except episode 5 shot and edited by Khali at aFilmNoob.

ROTC TV: Episode 5- the Introduction

ROTC TV: Episode 4- Rahman Jahmaal “Street Poetry” Release Party

ROTC TV: Episode 3- Watzreal Album Release Party

ROTC TV: Episode 2- Boom Bap Sessions feat. Joe Mousepad

ROTC TV: Episode 1- January MVP Competition

BPos Drops “Party Mardi” Video

My comrades, the BPos clique (Khafre Jay x D-Wiz x Goodword x Gyrl Abstract x DJ Johnny Veneti) just dropped their “Party Mardi” video; it was shot at D-Wiz’s HQ, features cameos from many local party animals including yours truly, and costumes were done by Sarah Stylisms. You can get the brand new BPos album “Positive Beings” here.

Breathless “Go Crazy” Video

Breathless is a comrade of mine who routinely rocks with us at “Return of the Cypher.” I have always been thoroughly impressed with her live performance (she dressed up as Michael Jackson one time and merked it,) and her radiant personality shines through on the brand new “Go Crazy” video. It features cameos from ROTC soldiers MC Mars, Jay Peezy, and yours truly. Make-up/ costume designs by Sara Stylism and directed by Beto Moon Cricket Lopez.

Doin’ It in the Park @Delores Park 10/11

Our ROTC comrade Denero will be celebrating his birthday with a traditional Hip Hop party in the park! Please mark your calendars; 10/11 at Delores Park, BYOB, BBQ grills, and an extraordinary showcase featuring 2FS, Rick Stevens from the Tower of Power, DJ Kevvy Kev, and many more of our ROTC family members.

Denero Party

ROTC 1 Year Anniversary Showcase

You probably know by now that I help organize a weekly event called Return of the Cypher, which is an open-mic jam session at John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom Room on Sunday nights. You probably know that it’s the fastest growing Hip Hop event in the Bay Area and that we have a very supportive community. If you were raised by the culture, you will feel like you finally made it home. All MC’s are encouraged to spit. We will be celebrating our one year anniversary on 06/15 with an amazing showcase filled with a diverse range of artists that have come through in the past year.

ROTC One Year

Preceding the anniversary showcase, the San Francisco Black Film Festival will be premiering “‘Til Infinity,” a Souls of Mischief documentary. Needless to say, it is extremely appropriate to host a world premier documentary about the Bay Area legends before our platoon of independent rappers set it off.

Hiero BFF