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)
Growing up in McFarland, California, and now residing in Porterville, independent music artist DJ Rhythm is bringing nostalgic energy back to the music scene with his latest single, “Back To The Hotel.” Inspired by the unforgettable sounds of the 1990s, the track captures the smooth rhythms, romantic atmosphere, and laid-back vibes that defined an influential era in music.Although DJ Rhythm has only been actively producing music for a few months, his connection to music goes back nearly two…See More
November 6, 2026 at 9pm to January 1, 2027 at 1:45pm
FRIDAY, NOV 6 True Skool presents ELEVATION (1st Fridays)Featuring:Nina Sol (Elements) Mind Motion (Pirate DJs) Renoir (aka Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist)@ Golden Ratio, 1517 Franklin St., Oakland 21+ / Doors 9pm / FREE B4 10pmFree B4 11pm with RSVP: http://bit.ly/elevationfirstfridayABOUTELEVATION is a brand new party series! Curated by…See More
Hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Sconey G is turning life lessons into inspiration with his latest single, “Case Closed.” Raised between Chicago and Milwaukee and now based in Oklahoma City, the independent artist continues to build a legacy rooted in perseverance, ambition, and personal growth.With a musical journey that began unofficially in 2000 and professionally in 2005, Sconey G has spent two decades sharpening his craft while expanding…See More
oscoe Dash is an RIAA-certified Diamond recording artist, songwriter, and emerging actor whose voice and creative instincts helped shape the sound of a generation.His career has moved through several defining eras, beginning with the breakout energy of “All the Way Turnt Up” and continuing through his contributions to major records such as Waka Flocka Flame’s Diamond-certified “No Hands” and Big Sean’s “Marvin & Chardonnay.”Roscoe has also built a legacy as a songwriter, contributing behind…See More
West Los Angeles recording artist Yung ELz is bringing a fresh perspective to the independent hip-hop scene with his latest single, “4 A.M.” Inspired by real-life experiences, relationships, and late-night emotions, the record highlights his versatility while offering listeners a glimpse into his personal and creative world.Growing up between West Los Angeles and Compton, California, Yung ELz developed a…See More
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. Saturday, November 07, 2026HUGELOchokDERON b2b DarmonHearst Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley, CA Doors: 5:00pm | Show: 6:00pm…See More
For its tenth anniversary, UNDISCOVERED SF is bringing the night market vibes back for the first time since the pandemic. In partnership with Victory Hall, formerly known as the iconic nightclub 330 Ritch, this year's themes "Golden Hour" and "Made With Mahal," make an intimate but electric return. With DJ sets by Hoochi, Vieux Carre, Boogie Brown, and performance by The Top Chefs of…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)
