As a bay area resident (by way of New York), Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist made his mark by curating top notch events featuring hip hop legends and supporting independent artists from the Bay and beyond. In 2000, his True Skool events won the "Best of the Bay" in the SF Bay Guardian. Ren has appeared on numerous publications, such as the XLR8R, 7x7, SF Weekly, SF Examiner, Mugshot and SF Magazine, to name a few. Since True Skool's inception in 1999, his online magazine and newsletter has served as a resource that covers hip hop history, politics, emerging artists and events. As a DJ, he has shared bills with world-renowned artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Kool DJ Red Alert, Q-Bert, Cut Chemist, DJ Premier, Wu-Tang Clan, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought (The Roots), Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), Michael Franti & Spearhead, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Masta Ace, Biz Markie, Dilated Peoples, The Coup, KRS-One, Pharcyde, DJ Bobbito, DJ Cash Money and the list goes on. His diverse selections are influenced by his East Coast background, from b-boying in the early 80s to attending house parties and the burgeoning mobile DJ scene in New Jersey to frequenting parties like Giant Step, Soul Kitchen and legendary rave party, N.A.S.A in NYC. Ren is a professional party rocker who can put it down among the best of them with a vast arsenal of weapons to drop on any dancefloor, from hip hop, reggae, soul to house and electronic music. He has graced many venues with his non-stop seemless sets with regular appearances at Mighty, The Independent, Ruby Skye, 1015, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Sony Metreon, among a slew of venues in San Francisco. In addition, he has appeared at the Bay's new throwback station Q102.1 FM, Michael Franti & Spearhead's annual 9-11 Power to the Peaceful Festival, Outside Lands Music Festival, now defuct Distortion2Static hip hop show, Myx.tv's Built from Scratch and KPFA's Hardknock Radio.
Baltimore-raised and now based in Severn, Maryland, G5 Sly continues to build his name as an artist rooted in authenticity, growth, and purpose. His musical journey began early in the church choir, where emotion and storytelling first shaped his sound. Over the past six years as a professional artist, G5 Sly has evolved into a confident rapper who speaks directly to life’s struggles and victories, using music as a tool for connection and…See More
In a new South Side Chicago–based novel, former gang boss Harold “Noonie G” Ward explores the hard truth that leaving the block doesn’t mean the block leaves you.Urban legend Harold “Noonie G” Ward, a native of Chicago’s Altgeld Gardens, is a reformed Gangster Disciple leader turned community activist, youth mentor, and entrepreneur. His fourth book, Altgeld, is a…See More
WEDNESDAY JAN 14 THROWBACK (2nd & 4th Wednesdays)Experience the ultimate Throwback party! 🎵 Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist spins all your fave jams from back in the day! 🕺 Featuring Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist (True Skool)at Hello Stranger Bar, 1724 Broadway, Oakland. Doors 8pm. DJ Set starts at 9pm. No cover!RSVP:…See More
Starting crisp, his freshman year in 2026. Dropping his first EP, “17EEN” to hit the airways and distributed on all platforms. However, OmaYe is far from a rookie. He has a plethora of recorded songs on Audiomack, with leading singles such as “Totori Dem” and “NonFictional” which are must listen to. OmaYe tirelessly worked with leading recording artist, Emir Makhanaki…See More
ZoeMigo is a hip-hop artist born in West Palm Beach, Florida, known for blending melodic emotion with hard-hitting Florida bounce. His music draws from real-life experiences, exploring themes of perseverance, loyalty, and growth through adversity. ZoeMigo released three projects, with his latest, OVERLOOKED, showcasing his consistency and evolution as an artist. With an authentic voice and a focus on longevity over trends, ZoeMigo represents a…See More
Visionz2turnt is an independent artist whose journey is rooted in authenticity, growth, and real-life storytelling. Raised in Washington, DC and now based in Clarksville, he has spent over a decade refining his craft, building a disciplined career fueled by lived experiences and emotional honesty. Known for blending cinematic vision with raw lyricism, Visionz2turnt has steadily carved out a lane that resonates with listeners who value…See More
January 28, 2026 at 7:30pm to January 30, 2026 at 9:30pm
Earthwise welcomes a three-night engagement by musician and scholarCorey HarrisWednesday, January 28 (with DJ Sep)Thursday, January 29 (with The Jack Tuttle & Walter Jebe duo)and Friday January 30 (with Will Bernard)at Mitchell Park Community Center: 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303Doors: 7:30 pm | Show: 8 pm | All Ages | Wheelchair Accessible$20 per night / $45 for a three-night pass at…See More
As the Trump administration is expected to release investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein later this week, a recent New York Times investigation delves into one of the biggest mysteries about the deceased sexual predator: how the college…
For 18 years, Fresh Jamz has been a cornerstone of Oakland’s social and musical fabric—bringing together DJs, dancers, creatives, organizers, and neighbors for nights rooted in connection, movement, and joy. What started as a happy hour has grown into a multi-generational gathering where community is built on the dance floor.The 18th Anniversary celebration marks nearly two decades of moments: reunions sparked by a familiar song, friendships formed over shared grooves, and a space where music…See More
