Subject:

Underground Hip-Hop

  • Blogs

    January 31, 2012

    Instrumental Hip-Hop Sucks. Ban It Forever.

    RJD2​ Instrumental hip-hop should be banned. It's the banal, meandering stepchild of hip-hop. It's a front-runner for the dubious honor of being the world's most snooze-inducing form of music. And, shockingly, there are still producers and fans who insist on validating it like it's anything bu ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 26, 2012

    S.F. Trumpeter Bill Ortiz on Playing with Souls of Mischief, Covering Gil Scott-Heron, and Touring with Sheila E.

    "Souls of Mischief brought me in initially to replace a sample that was going to cost them too much to clear!" So says San Francisco-born trumpeter Bill Ortiz with a laugh as he recalls his contribution to the Bay Area rap quartet's cherished debut album '93 'Til Infinity. Ortiz's playing can be hea ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 8, 2011

    Dilated Peoples' DJ Babu on the Future of the DJ Battle, and Why He Was Skeptical About Serato

    ​ Best known for his roles in hip-hop groupDilated Peoples and the world-champion DJ crew Beat Junkies , DJ Babu has lately been busy crafting his newest album, Duck Season 4. Winning various DJ battles like Vestax World Championships early in his career, and releasing ground-breaking albums l ... More >>

  • Music

    August 17, 2011

    Z-Trip: Show Preview

    ​ Best known for his roles in hip-hop groupDilated Peoples and the world-champion DJ crew Beat Junkies , DJ Babu has lately been busy crafting his newest album, Duck Season 4. Winning various DJ battles like Vestax World Championships early in his career, and releasing ground-breaking albums l ... More >>

  • Music

    June 8, 2011

    Aesop Rock: Show Preview

    ​ Best known for his roles in hip-hop groupDilated Peoples and the world-champion DJ crew Beat Junkies , DJ Babu has lately been busy crafting his newest album, Duck Season 4. Winning various DJ battles like Vestax World Championships early in his career, and releasing ground-breaking albums l ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 1, 2011

    Mochilla's B Plus on Endtroducing, J-Dilla, and the Last Ten Years of Hip-Hop Photography

    Los Angeles-based photographer and filmmaker Brian Cross (or B as he's commonly known) has blazed a distinct path through independent media over the past two decades. A native of Limerick, Ireland, Cross moved to L.A. in the early '90s and quickly became a go-to hip-hop photographer starting with a ... More >>

  • Music

    June 1, 2011

    J Boogie: Show Preview

    Los Angeles-based photographer and filmmaker Brian Cross (or B as he's commonly known) has blazed a distinct path through independent media over the past two decades. A native of Limerick, Ireland, Cross moved to L.A. in the early '90s and quickly became a go-to hip-hop photographer starting with a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 7, 2011

    Happy Birthday Deejay Jay Dee: Listen to a Full-Length Jazz Cover of 'Donuts'

    ​Today would have been the 37th birthday of James Yancey, the Detroit producer better known as (a) Jay Dee, (b) J Dilla, and (c) the stylistic architect for an entire generation of hip-hop heads, member of Slum Village, occasional rhymer, maker of tracks for A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 7, 2011

    Watch: Hieroglyphics' DJ Toure Steps Out with Nio Tha Gift and Tajai from Souls of Mischief

    ​Sometimes it's nice to see musicians focus on doing one thing well, instead of trying to do everything well. So we happily can forgive the basic production of this black-and-white video, as well as the track's lack of song-ness. This isn't really a song, afterall -- it's Nio Tha Gift and Souls of ... More >>

  • Music

    October 20, 2010

    Rapper Lyrics Born pays for his art by selling songs to ads and TV shows

    ​Sometimes it's nice to see musicians focus on doing one thing well, instead of trying to do everything well. So we happily can forgive the basic production of this black-and-white video, as well as the track's lack of song-ness. This isn't really a song, afterall -- it's Nio Tha Gift and Souls of ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 14, 2010

    Download an EP from Central Services, the Bitter Cynic's Gnarls Barkley

    If you're like everyone in the world, you've been into Cee-Lo's irrepressibly catchy reprisal anthem, "Fuck You." Maybe you've even checked it out in Spanish!Well. Think that's subversive? Try "Fuck Me." Meet Camu Tao: Ohio player, Def Jux staple, and member of some of underground rap's most venerab ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 21, 2010

    DJ Premier's Moving Statement on Guru's Death, Letter

    In the wake of hip-hop icon Guru's death earlier this week, supporters have come out in full force, paying tribute to the legacy the rapper has left behind. We've seen Twitter shout outs, listened to Gang Starr singles on the radio, and heard nothing but praise for the man's impact on music. Sadly, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 4, 2010

    Over the Weekend: Zion I, Pep Love, and Dublin at the Independent

    ​Zion I, Pep Love, Dublin Friday, April 2, 2010 The Independent Better Than: Your last house party. Friday night, Zion I performed its second show in a row, joined by fellow natives Pep Love of Hieroglyphics and Dublin of Jazz Mafia fame. This evening was a showcase of Bay Area love, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 23, 2010

    Q&A w/ Joyo Velarde of Quannum Projects

    ​Joyo Velarde is taking a break from being everybody's back-up singer. After incessant touring with Jurassic 5, the Living Legend Crew, Blackalicious, Michael Franti, Zion I, Ozomatli, and husband Lyrics Born, among many others, the classically-trained, Pleasanton-based, Quannum Projects vocalist ... More >>

  • Music

    March 10, 2010

    SXSW 2010 Showgoers' Guide to Bay Area Acts

    ​Joyo Velarde is taking a break from being everybody's back-up singer. After incessant touring with Jurassic 5, the Living Legend Crew, Blackalicious, Michael Franti, Zion I, Ozomatli, and husband Lyrics Born, among many others, the classically-trained, Pleasanton-based, Quannum Projects vocalist ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 8, 2009

    Last Night: Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, & Mr. Lif at the Independent

    ​Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, & Mr. Lif, hosted by Lyrics Born November 7, 2009 The Independent Better Than: This year's VH1 Hip-Hop Honors Indie hip-hop icons still pack them in up in the Bay Area. On Saturday night, the Independent was dominated by indie artists who have spent more than 15 ... More >>

  • Music

    August 5, 2009

    Rock the Bells

    ​Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, & Mr. Lif, hosted by Lyrics Born November 7, 2009 The Independent Better Than: This year's VH1 Hip-Hop Honors Indie hip-hop icons still pack them in up in the Bay Area. On Saturday night, the Independent was dominated by indie artists who have spent more than 15 ... More >>

  • Music

    June 24, 2009

    RasCue benefit

    ​Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, & Mr. Lif, hosted by Lyrics Born November 7, 2009 The Independent Better Than: This year's VH1 Hip-Hop Honors Indie hip-hop icons still pack them in up in the Bay Area. On Saturday night, the Independent was dominated by indie artists who have spent more than 15 ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 23, 2009

    New Grown Kids Radio Station Connects the Beats

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Music

    December 3, 2008

    Video Fueled the DJ Star

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 1, 2008

    Z-Trip to Throw Halloween Party in SF

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 27, 2008

    Murs at the Independent in Oct.

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Music

    June 11, 2008

    Rapper Buckshot thinks, talks, and records for success

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 22, 2008

    The Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas Headline Annual Rock the Bells Festival

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Music

    March 12, 2008

    The Devil and Doctor Octagon: Kool Keith returns

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Calendar

    January 23, 2008

    Lif Off

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Music

    November 14, 2007

    Peanut Butter Wolf Animates Zombies on New Hip-Hop Soundtrack

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 18, 2007

    LiveFEED: Rock the Bells, 2007!

    Belio GomezLast week Pirate Cat Radio (online and at 87.9 FM) added a new batch of crate diggers to its collective with the Grown Kids Radio show. These dudes (Cyclyst, Diversify, Spinnerty, Brown Majic, and E da Boss) are already on to some sweet, party-rocking mixes, merging together jazz, hip-hop ... More >>

  • Music

    February 7, 2007

    Producer, Remixer, MC

    Oakland triple-threat Trackademicks does it all

  • Music

    December 27, 2006

    Ghostface Killah

    More Fish (Def Jam)

  • Music

    September 20, 2006

    Automatic Weapon

    Dan The Automator Presents 2K7 (Decon)

  • Music

    July 19, 2006

    Mr. Lif

    Mo Mega (Definitive Jux)

  • Music

    December 14, 2005

    Holy beat-bevy Batman: Cut Chemist, Z-Trip, Radar, Faust, Romanowski, dead prez, Marques Wyatt, Lisa Shaw, and "The Rootdown SF."

    Mo Mega (Definitive Jux)

  • Music Awards

    October 19, 2005

    Award Show Performers

    SF Weekly Music Awards

  • Music

    September 14, 2005

    BeatBox

    The Team declares "It's Gettin' Hot"; rappers Guru and Kool Keith get smooth and batshit crazy, respectively

  • Music

    March 23, 2005

    BeatBox

    The multitalented MC/turntablist J-Live pays a rare visit from NYC; S.F. house fixtures Miguel Migs and Julius Papp get you "Salted."

  • Music

    December 1, 2004

    BeatBox

    Aesop Rock makes the unintelligible, well, entertaining; the legendary Shapeshifters shuffle up from L.A.

  • Music

    May 12, 2004

    Monster Mash Up

    DJs Z Trip and P deliver the final performance of Uneasy Listening Vol. One, one of the first – and best – album-length mash-ups

  • Music

    November 20, 2002

    Smooth Operator

    Goapele wants to be a soul star, without all the major-label headaches

  • Music

    September 18, 2002

    Cold Chillin'

    Hip hop's Atmosphere hails from an unlikely place -- Minnesota

  • Music

    December 13, 2000

    A League of Its Own

    The Justice League built its reputation by booking local hip hop acts -- now, in the face of an increasingly white-bread city, can the club survive?

  • Music

    June 7, 2000

    Slum Village

    Fantastic, Vol. 2
    (GoodVibe)

  • Music

    April 21, 1999

    Notes From Underground

    For two years, Beni B and Oakland's ABB Records have taken on the hip-hop establishment one vinyl single at a time

  • Music

    January 20, 1999

    Bombing Maneuvers

    Bomb Records' David Paul single-handedly created a successful hip-hop magazine, launched artists' careers, and rescued the DJ from obscurity. Now what?

  • Music

    July 1, 1998

    Riff Raff

    Bomb Records' David Paul single-handedly created a successful hip-hop magazine, launched artists' careers, and rescued the DJ from obscurity. Now what?

  • Music

    January 21, 1998

    Stakes Is High

    Bay Area hip-hop artists and the art of the hustle

  • Music

    November 26, 1997

    Hear This

    Bay Area hip-hop artists and the art of the hustle

  • Music

    August 13, 1997

    Riff Raff

    Bay Area hip-hop artists and the art of the hustle

  • Music

    July 16, 1997

    Recordings

    Bay Area hip-hop artists and the art of the hustle

  • Music

    May 28, 1997

    Hear This

    Bay Area hip-hop artists and the art of the hustle

  • More >>
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