Background
Based in the SF-Bay Area, True Skool (est. '99) is an event production as well as a music and lifestyle marketing company. For over 8-years, True Skool has cultivated a strong following and has established a respected brand for top notch events featuring world class talent and emerging artists. Among the list of pioneers and legends True Skool has featured include: Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, The Last Poets, and Jazzy Jeff, to name a few. Our mission is to “preserve the legacy of hip hop”.
The True Skool Network is an online magazine that covers urban events, progressive music, styles, and ideas. In addition, True Skool is a resource for hip hop history and underground urban culture. True Skool pays tribute to hip hop pioneers and their contributions to the culture as well as the independent artists who carry the torch and keep the hip hop tradition alive. True Skool provides a platform for independent emerging artists as well as the musical pioneers who have paved the way.
Content New Releases: album, book & video releases Events: the most comprehensive urban event guide in the San Francisco Bay Area Articles: hip hop news, current events Politics: independent news reporting, activism & petitions Music: DJ mixes, blog, internet radio stations and music archives Videos: music videos, politics, hip hop history lessons
What we do Marketing | Event Production | Artist Booking | Consultation | Street Marketing | Publicity | Public Relations
Opportunities
We provide our clients with branding opportunities, advertising and event production and promotion services. Our grassroots marketing campaigns aim to influence target trendsetters and tastemakers, such as DJs, music enthusiasts, artists, and style aficionados.
Services Include:
Street Team
We will distribute flyers to stores and boutiques in the East Bay and San Francisco and reach your desired target market. Our professional street team will distribute event invites hand-to-hand and create a buzz through word of mouth. In addition, our promotion would cover local colleges such as UC Berkeley, Laney College, etc.
Press Release Your event will be publicized in the major newspapers and magazines in the Bay including East Bay Express, The Guardian, SF Weekly, The Examiner, Metro News (Peninsula), SF Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Post, The Wave (Peninsula), Distortion2Static Hip Hop Television show (TV-20). (note: deadline: 2-3 weeks prior to event)
True-Skool.org E-Blast (15,000+ emails) Includes event page placement, e-newsletter placement (2 weeks) and recommended events (homepage).
MySpace Promo (19,500+ friends) Bay Area Hip Hop Guide bulletin (sent every 6 hrs), auto-dedicated bulletin (every 6 hrs), blog, event invite & homepage.
Event Guide & Newsletter online promo Your event will be posted on over 20 online Bay Area event calendars, newsletters & blogs such as KTVU, Going, Flavorpill, Nitevibe, Newvibe, Bayevents, Clubzone, SFStation, Nitewise, Craigslist, Laughingsquid, Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, Eventvibe, Jahworks.org, Ovahere and more…
College Radio We will submit your event on the following college radio concert calendars: KALX-Berkeley, KUSF-San Francisco, KZSU-Stanford, KZSC-Santa Cruz, KFJC-Foothill College, KDVS-UC Davis.
Posters We will post posters in the main areas of San Francisco & Berkeley only. The SF run includes Upper & Lower Haight, SOMA, and Fillmore. In the East Bay, coverage includes UC-Berkeley, Telegraph, Shattuck Ave, Oakland (Lake Merritt).
"True Skool has grown into something more than just your average party. With a weekly newsletter and a network involving various social organizations, Ren has successfully incorporated politics and activism within the True Skool umbrella while remaining focused on the music... It also serves as a spotlight for events, artists and musicians in the Bay whose contributions to the scene may go unnoticed by the casual partygoer."
-Rasputin's Manifesto (7/12/06)
"True Skool is a consistent force behind quality hip-hop events in the Bay Area, showcasing lineups that draw from top local and national talent."
- SFWeekly (4/5/06)
"...we owe the underground's success to organizations like True Skool, which represents the voices that are neglected, or muzzled by commercial radio." - SF Guardian (11/26/03)
"True Skool founder Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist has been working hard to help combat the negativity in hip hop on a local level by giving independent and non-commercial hip hop artists from all over the Bay and around the nation a platform for their alternative message of positivity and unity."
- SF Examiner (1/15/03)
"DJ Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist's hip-hop night, True Skool, has transformed the SF club landscape from mundane to magic as it presents the cream of international rhyme sayers and beat-slangers." - XLR8R Magazine (Oct. 2002)
"Best of the Bay 2001: Best Place to Keep it Real & Jiggy at the same time"
- SF Guardian (Editor’s Pick 2001)
Michael J award winning brand strategist and CEO of Billboard Center is on a mission. After the recent loss of his Father, Michael J was inspired to create a platform via radio for Gospel Rap and Inspirational Artist. The purpose of the show is to give listeners a 30 minute window where they get hear a positive message thru hip-hop music but also receive words of encouragement from Michael J. The goal of the show is about keeping people inspired even in life struggles and difficulties. During…See More
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. Friday, May 01, 2026Shabazz PalacesThe Chapel 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CADoors: 8:00PM | Show: 9:00PMAll Ages.>> BUY TICKETS…See More
SUNDAY, MAY 3 20 Years of Donuts withDJ Dez Andres (Slum Village)with DJ heyLove*, Max Kane, DJ Traps, DJ Osé, and SETI-X (MC-Host)@ Mad Oak, 135 12th St., Oakland 3:00PM-10:00PMBUY TICKETSSee More
SUNDAY, MAY 3 20 Years of Donuts withDJ Dez Andres (Slum Village)with DJ heyLove*, Max Kane, DJ Traps, DJ Osé, and SETI-X (MC-Host)@ Mad Oak, 135 12th St., Oakland 3:00PM-10:00PMBUY TICKETSSee More
Expect “100 Grand” to shake the room, newer records from The Summer Tape 2 to show up, and maybe a few unreleased cuts designed specifically for these Blueface crowds. Hiskey’s sets tend to move fast and hit hard, balancing party records with rawer street-leaning material. If past shows are a clue, this won’t be a low-key opener.See More
All or Nothing is a relentless anthem about rising to the top with no excuses, overcoming every obstacle, proving hunger, resilience, and determination to define success.Click Here to Stream/Add to Spotify Playlists…See More
Just ahead of the release of their new album 'Beautiful Foundations' on May 15th, Upstate NY rapper and producer duo Tone Chop & Frost Gamble deliver the fourth single "Gawdbrovas Connect". A celebration of their own partnership stretching over three decades, the album includes those with whom they've built over the years by way of the specially invited guest…See More
"True Skool has grown into something more than just your average party. With a weekly newsletter and a network involving various social organizations, Ren has successfully incorporated politics and activism within the True Skool umbrella while remaining focused on the music... It also serves as a spotlight for events, artists and musicians in the Bay whose contributions to the scene may go unnoticed by the casual partygoer."
"True Skool is a consistent force behind quality hip-hop events in the Bay Area, showcasing lineups that draw from top local and national talent."
"...we owe the underground's success to organizations like True Skool, which represents the voices that are neglected, or muzzled by commercial radio." - SF Guardian (11/26/03)
"True Skool founder Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist has been working hard to help combat the negativity in hip hop on a local level by giving independent and non-commercial hip hop artists from all over the Bay and around the nation a platform for their alternative message of positivity and unity."
"DJ Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist's hip-hop night, True Skool, has transformed the SF club landscape from mundane to magic as it presents the cream of international rhyme sayers and beat-slangers." - XLR8R Magazine (Oct. 2002)
