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Featuring
American Idol's Jasmine Trias!
Since 1997, DJ Jenicide has been captivating audiences with an exquisite blend of reggae riddims, sexy dubs, hip-hop nostalgia, classic soul, rock steady breaks, raw funk, jazzy grooves, and experimental beats, creating the wicked hybrid, all-female, earth signed, moon powered crew of two illin-illocanas known as A Lady's Touch. Hailing straight out of San Jose, the duo has rocked crowds together and individually from the bay area, all the way out to the Midwest while still maintaining an organic appeal and resisting all forms of mainstream commercialism.
Jose “Sway” Penala
Also appearing from American Idol, is Penala. This will be the first local
appearance for San Mateo County homeboy, Sway, since he appeared on American
Idol this season!
Returning to perform for a second year is San Francisco's reggae favorite Native Elements. Now in their 10th year as a cohesive unit, they never fail to bring postivity and niceness to all of their music gatherings. As recording artist's they spin a curious fabric of luvers rock, roots and conscious dancehall wrapped cozily in a bright "frisco-pino" treatment. A family before anything else Native Elements strives to make their show a warm and inviting experience for all; young and old, blue and green and everything in between. For more information visit www.native-elements.com.
Tony Ng aka ToneDef began DJing in 6th grade and has since performed at clubs, weddings, proms, to ballroom dance classes! Tony's career with KMEL began back in 1997 while attending San Francisco State University. Two semesters of internship quickly turned into full time positions and eventually led to his current position as the Promotions Manager at KMEL. In the middle of the 9-5, Tony deejays as well as throw parties with the Junkyard Gang and was formerly involved with SBC (Styles Beyond Compare). For more information visit: http://myspace.com/djtonedef415
The alternative folk rock music of San Francisco-based artist Julia Lau has been described as revealing, honest, compelling and evocative and has been compared to that of Jewel and Sarah McLachlan. With a voice that is both intimate and powerful, Julia weaves her stories of life, love, loss and wanting over alluring and addictive melodies. Before pursuing music fulltime, Julia worked for several years as a community organizer in San Francisco's Chinatown. The themes in her music reflect those roots as well as her strong ties to her culture and community. Julia performs regularly with her band throughout the region and will be releasing her debut album later this year. The band is Julia Lau (vocals, guitar). Greg Yim (acoustic guitar), Noel de Guzman (electric guitar) and Greg Oliva (bass). For more information or to join her mailing list, go to www.julialau.net.
At the age of six, Chin-Chin had re-constructive surgery on a cleft palette above his lips. During his hospital stay, a local magician entertained him. Quite amused by his performance, Chin-Chin asked the magician “How did you that?” The magician looked Chin-Chin in the eyes, took out a red handkerchief, threw it in the air, and as it changed into a cane, said “It's magic.” That was when Chin-Chin found his first love. His supportive parents purchased a magic kit for his birthday to surprise him. Only five years later he was a working professional. Chin-Chin surpassed his parents' expectations when he was named “Stage Magician of the Year” by the San Francisco Conjurors. He won the coveted award again only two years later, making him the only San Francisco Bay Area magician to do so.
Chin-Chin has appeared and disappeared in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and even Alaska. Founder of Savage Beast Productions, Chin-Chin works in association with several organizations including the Make~a~Wish Foundation to help enrich the lives of other children and their dreams. The message that Chin-Chin wants people to realize is that "Everybody can live their dreams once they believe that they can make it happen.”
From the musical inspirations of hip hop greats such as Pete Rock, Dj Premier, 45 king, Rza, and Organized Konfusion comes California Bay Area resident Kero One. Kero One has been rhyming, deejaying and collecting records since the early 90's. Influenced by such groups and albums such as Gangstarr's "step into the arena", Nas's “Illmatic”, Lord Finesse, Pharcyde, Common Sense and N.W.A., Kero One was truly drawn to emceeing and rhyming. However, it wasn't until the age of 15 when he began getting down in freestyle ciphers at shows, hip hop clubs and writing his own lyrics. Inspired by college radio and freestyle battles such as the "Hieroglyphics Vs. HoboJunction battle on KMEL's legendary Wake Up Show, he would participate in radio shows, such as the Bay Areas 10 O'clock Bomb freestyle battle segment. There he would spit verses and receive props and recognition from Wake Up Show host “Sway”. In 1996, he began collaborating with friends to record tracks and enjoyed working with different producers. However, demanding "that specific sound" from various producers was harder than originally expected. Kero then decided to take things into his own hands. He would now begin his venture as an emcee, producer and deejay.
In the summer of 2003, Kero One released his first 12" record entitled “Check the Blueprints”, based on jazzy beats and metaphor heavy lyrics. His record reached top 5 spots on radio and deejay play lists worldwide. Several months later, Kero One was recognized by Japanese promoters and a label called Jazzysport.com and was invited for a nationwide Japan Tour in January of 2004, headlining shows for artists such as DJ Mitsu the beats.
Shortly after the Japan Tour, Kero One released another hip hop 12" with long time friend, Niamaj, and another solo 12" called "Keep it Alive". Kero One is now preparing the release of his debut solo album entitled “Windmills of the Soul” due out in early 2006 where he rhymes, scratches, produces, and plays instruments. For more information, visit www.pluglabel.com/.
Founded in 1997, this quartet has since been making great strides in the mainstream music industry. Performing all over California and the West Coast, Legaci (aka LGC) has been wowing audiences with their silky voices, powerful harmonies and diverse musical stylistics. Their style of music can best be described as a colorful blend of R&B, and soul. They hope to bring a new flavor of music to the mainstream audience, along with the reminiscent nostalgia of the influences they idolized while growing up. LGC has not failed to grab the attention of the media. In 1997, they were guest featured on the San Francisco Bay Area's radio morning show, "Wild 94.9's The Doghouse". In 2001, they began recording their first single, "Make Sweet Love", releasing their first taste of recorded music to their local following. Immediately, the fans responded and awarded LGC the grand prize winners of 107.9 KDND's band search, allowing LGC to perform for an upward audience of 10,000A+ and open for some of today's hottest industry acts, namely BBMak, 3LW, Dream, and Smashmouth. Because of the response they received from their first single, "Make Sweet Love", they decided to record a music video of the song, and released it to the public. Soon after, in March of 2002, their first music video, "Make Sweet Love" won first place in VideoMaker Magazine's contest for the category of "Best Music Video."
They were featured nationally in the April 2002 issue of VideoMaker magazine, where the magazine commented, "Music videos was by far the most popular category in our competition, pouring to us in reckless abandon...Looking and sounding every bit as good as any MTV boy-band, Legaci's 'Make Sweet Love' knocked us out with its camera work, lighting and editing as well as the ballad's overall sincerity." More recently, in September of 2003, Legaci entered CALLATT's Battle of the Bands competition, and placed as a finalist, rating them among the top 3 out of the total 1800+ bands that applied from all over the nation. Currently the band is finishing up their long awaited premiere album, and plans to release it under Kamikaze Records with high hopes for the immediate future. For more information about Legaci, visit their website www.legacionline.com.
DowneFX Dance Company
DowneFX, the nation's premier LGBTQQ of color dance troupe, will bring
its scintillating brand of high-voltage hip hop to the second annual Asian
Heritage street celebration in SF's Sunset district on Sat., May 20. DowneFX
will showcase its unique mix of exuberant hip hop with an original storyline
that will be hard for danceaholics to resist. The talented crew of DowneFX
includes core members Anh "Sexy Me" Dang, Anna Chung, Charles Ugalde,
Chris Testa, Eugene Canotal, Eunice Villasenor, Gil Woo, Jonathan DeLima,
Jerry aka 'Mouse', Manny Grueso, Lori Higa and Santos Batimana. DowneFX
is the only urban dance company promoting empowerment, creativity and
social awareness for LGBTQQs of color. DowneFX has made its indelible
mark at SF Pride, San Jose Pride, the Berkeley Free Clinic/Gay Men's Health
Collective 30th year party and Miss Gay California. Originating in 2001,
DowneFX began with five members promoting HIV/AIDS prevention in San Francisco
through dance. Today, DowneFX is one of the premier queer performance
arts organizations in the nation, serving downe, gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender people of color. DowneFX is a nonprofit 501(c)3 community-based
grassroots organization. For more information visit www.downefx.org
. 
Mike “Nice” Tao is a third generation Japanese American from Watsonville, California. He moved to San Francisco in 1993, where he earned a degree in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University. He has been a part of the music industry since 1993, starting as a dedicated street team director for the popular San Francisco urban music radio station, 106 KMEL. Mike utilized his skills to build On Point Marketing with Beni B in 1998 as part of the well-known Bay Area Hip Hop Coalition. After having developed and strengthened On Point Marketing for a year, he decided that the time was optimal in creating Word Life Promotions.
While running Word Life Promotions, he also makes his mark in the music scene as DJ Mike Nice. Mike started out by making mix tapes in junior high school, which became highly demanded items from his schoolmates. He began DJing at house parties, high school dances and weddings. Drawing from influences ranging from DJs Joe Cooley to Jazzy Jeff, Mike's persistence in DJing and studying broadcast communications led to a show on San Francisco State University's radio station KSFS 100.7 for two years.
In 1995, Mike followed in the steps of prominent DJ's Kutmasta Kurt and Joe Quixx by providing listeners with all elements of hip-hop on KZSU Stanford's radio program "The Drum", which is one of the longest-running hip-hop radio shows in the country. A highlight of Mike's career as a DJ came in 2002 when he was asked to be the Bay Area DJ on s Sway & Tech's nationally syndicated hip-hop radio program "The Wake Up Show". After seven years with “The Drum”, Mike caught another break in 2003 as the DJ for the “Friday Night Flavas” hip-hop show on 106 KMEL hosted by the Baka Boys. You can currently hear Mike DJ'ing at numerous clubs around the Bay Area. For bookings or more info email djmikenice@comcast.net or visit http://www.myspace.com/mikenice23.
Khemarin Dance Group
As an ongoing group, they officially took on the name of Khemarin, which
means "belonging to Khmer". The group is made up of young Cambodian girls
who live here in the Bay Area. Their goal is to raise awareness and promote
Khmer culture through dance. Under a classically trained dance instructor,
they have performed at various events throughout the years.
The Mango Kingz
The experience of traveling to the Hawaiian Islands is one that cannot
be forgotten. The sounds of that “feel-good” island music transports you
back to the beach sipping on mai tais. When you kick back and listen to
the guys of Mango Kingz they hope you turn around and ask for that drink.
The guys, who have been singing together for 7 years, heard the music
one day after a friend returned from the islands. They were captivated
by it and realized that this was where their musical future was. From
that first day to their performance of “Drop, Baby, Drop” by the Mana'o
Company, their paths have been intertwined to bring to you the “head-bobbin,
toe-tappin” island style music that you hear today. They like to call
it “Island Flava.” They have performed at many places, from schools, to
clubs, to weddings, to festivals like the Aloha Festival in San Francisco,
the Lotus Festival in Los Angeles, Pure Aloha in Las Vegas, and the Philippine-American
Festival in Virginia Beach. They have also played with some of the biggest
names in island music: Kapena, Fiji, Sudden Rush, Raiatea Helm, and Justin
Young.
The Mango Kingz (Alan Aliga, Arturo “King” Bautista, Derrick Posadas,
Janjay Coquilla, Randy Herra, and Rodney Domingo) plan to release their
freshmen CD in spring 2007, filled with that same style of music that
they fell in love with 7 years ago. For more information about The Mango
Kingz, visit their website www.mangokingz.com.
In September of 2000, Cherng Loong (Soaring Dragon) began as a small lion dance troupe in the Sunset district of San Francisco. The troupe was originally named the Chinese Cultural Arts Club from their work with the club at Lowell High School. A few of their founding members including their instructors Chris Chiu and Randall Low taught the lion dance at Lowell. The combined experience of the founding members exceeded 20 years going into Cherng Loong.
Aside from school related performances, the Chinese Cultural Arts Club (CCAC) performed for other occasions as well. At the beginning, there was only one silver lion, one drum and a pair of cymbals. The troupe consisted of only 8, but they were very fond of the hobby. As CCAC performed more and more, the numbers increased. By late 2002, it was time for a new name. Cherng Loong was eventually picked out of many on Dec. 27, 2002. In 2003, Cherng Loong competed in the National Freestyle Lion Dance Championship. Membership increased even more and as of late 2004. They now have approximately 40 members. Although Cherng Loong believes in having fun at practice and performances, they also believe in practicing good discipline and respect. They welcome all to try the art of Lion Dancing and become part of their family. For additional information or to join Cherng Loong, email info@cherngloong.com.
Percussionist Jimmy Biala, son of Hermie and Gloria Biala from Pangasinan, Philippines, has collaborated with multidisciplinary artists since 1993. He currently teaches Cuban and Brazilian percussion at Santa Clara University's School of Performing Arts and is an artist in residence at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, San Francisco Chinatown Beacon Center, Jean Parker Elementary School, Gordon J. Lau Elementary School and Francisco Middle school.
Biala is a graduate of resident studies of percussion and dance at the University of Matanzas in Matanzas, Cuba. He has also studied percussion and dance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with Jorge Alabe and Mestre Aunto from the Mangueria samba school and in Salvador, Bahia Brazil with Mestre Marivaldo of the Ile-Aye Afoxe group. Jimmy is the recipient of a 1998 Downbeat Magazine Jazz Recording and Performance award. He is the artistic director of the Search Five projects and the SambAsia samba school of San Francisco. He has debuted new works of music, dance and poetry in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles with dancer Lenora Lee and in Beijing, China and Taiwan with Korean dancer and drummer Dohee Lee.
Jern Eye is one third of the Oakland based group Lunar Heights. The other two members of the group include Spear of the Nation and Khai Sharrieff Allah, Lunar Height's first album, the critically acclaimed "Crescent Moon" (NatAural High Records) made CMJ's top 40 charts for several weeks after it's release in 04' blazing college radio stations across the country and on it's way in becoming an underground classic! In the Fall of 2005, they released their new 12' record "Da Music" produced by Vinroc of Triple Threat DJ's. Since it's release "Da Music" has been making noise, and continues to pop up on hard hitting mix tapes such as Oakland's Faders "mix it up" Scion Mix CD. Jern Eye's solo album "Authentic Vintage" will be released in the summer of 2006. For more information visit http://myspace.com/jerneye.
Stephanie Reese is a native of Seattle, Washington and was most recently seen in the Fountain Theatre's production of "Master Class" as the role of Sophie. She was also seen in "Master Class" at the Long Beach Playhouse as the role of Sharon. In both productions she received rave reviews. Recently she produced, directed and wrote a one woman show entitled "The Journey" at the Century Ballroom in Seattle, Washington. The show was filmed by Michael Damian and produced by Tom Weir for Studio City Sound Productions as a documentary DVD.
Reese is new to Los Angeles but has had quite an extensive European career including the title role of "Kim" in Miss Saigon in Stuttgart, Germany; the Disney World Premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Berlin (Directed by James Lapine) performing "Esmeralda", and the King and I at the historical London Palladium Theater in the West End performing "Princess Tuptim" with Jason Scott Lee as the King and Elaine Page as Anna. She continued on to do The King and I First National UK tour with Stefanie Powers as "Anna". Other European endeavors include lead vocals in the band, "The Hunchies," two original cast recordings (The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the King and I) as well as numerous AIDS benefits and volunteering for various children's organizations. She was also the assistant to the resident director and the children's director/casting director for “The King and I” U.K. First National Tour.
Jeremy Tagle Bautista, aka "Kilusan,” is a native San Francisco based writer, performance artist, Hip Hop theater director and community arts educator. He is currently co-developing an original short play entitled, "Blood Thick Wound" which examines gentrification issues, immigrant rights and the future of California after a great EarthQuake. He is affiliated with One Block Movement, United Playaz, Destiny Arts Center, Soul Searchers Entertainment,Dream Cypher, Productions, 8th Wonder and Colored Ink. For more information email: kilusan1898@yahoo.com.
The first show of its kind, Distortion 2 Static brings true Hip Hop culture to mainstream television. Whether you're a Hip Hop historian, artist, or fan, D2S keeps you updated on the real world of Hip Hop music. The show appeals to a wide audience through creative use of artist profiles, interviews, videos, street ciphers and concert footage. The D2S crew makes a point to interview both the best in Bay Area Hip Hop as well as out-of-town artists visiting the Bay. They also give viewers the opportunity to express their own thoughts on the world of Hip Hop through an original series they call “Word on the Street.” Committed to keeping our fans up to date, D2S also provides exclusive footage from a variety of Hip Hop events all over the Bay Area. Tune in each and every Sunday night at midnight on the Bay Area's WB 20/ Cable 13 for a truly unique Hip Hop experience!
Distortion 2 Static is locally and independently produced in San Francisco and maintains full creative control of its content. The show can be seen across the entire Bay Area: San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and everywhere in between. For more information visit: holla@distortion2static.com
Rel of Distortion 2 Static
"A Product of the Golden Age"
“I grew up at a time when Hip Hop was original and encouraged creativity and opening your "3rd Eye." 'I've seen Hip Hop at its rawest forms, and at its most marketable from. I've seen it turn 'gangsta' 'jiggy,' and seen the 'backpackers' 'keep it real.' And what it all taught me is that Hip Hop does not have a label. I see Distortion 2 Static as an outlet to the open-minded and people who just love and appreciate good music. And at the same time, just like Yo! MTV Raps and Home Turf, I don't think people will truly understand what is happening until it's gone.” - Rel
For more information contact: rel@distortion2static.com
Jay Plus
In the mix since 1987, Jay Plus can be heard the radio late night Saturday Night/Sunday morning at 4am on 106KMEL. He is from San Francisco, and is affiliated with 106KMEL All Star DJ's, SBC DJ's, Style Beyond Compare DJ's. By day he is the Assistant Promotions Director for WiLD94.9 The Bay Area's Party Station
Every first Saturday of the month he hosts E Saturday at Club NV. For more information visit www.myspace.com/sbcjayplus or www.sbcdjs.com.
DJ Jenicide
Since 1997, DJ Jenicide has been captivating audiences with an exquisite blend of reggae riddims, sexy dubs, hip-hop nostalgia, classic soul, rock steady breaks, raw funk, jazzy grooves, and experimental beats, creating the wicked hybrid, all-female, earth signed, moon powered crew of two illin-illocanas known as A Lady's Touch. Hailing straight out of San Jose, the duo has rocked crowds together and individually from the bay area, all the way out to the Midwest while still maintaining an organic appeal and resisting all forms of mainstream commercialism.
Affiliated with collectives such as the 5th Element, Sisterz of the Underground, Funk Lab Productions, Jah Warrior Shelter, and the Zulu Nation, Jenicide not only can rock a party, but has also been known for flexing their turntable trickery and creating abstract musical landscapes, selecting the freshest breaks for the b-kids to battle, and even simply providing audio ambiance for random art shows, in-store appearances, and private cannabis club engagements. Their diverse sets have landed them gigs for a vast array of events and venues such as Pride 2003, Carnival, the Great American Music Hall, Oberlin and Stanford college just to name a few. They've performed with and opened up for some of the most talented artists today including MC Lyte, Mystic, Goapele, Medusa, Eyedea from Rhymesayers, Triple Threat, the Anomolies, Pam the Funkstress, Crazy Legs, Rocafella, and Asia One.
"I love being able to put something out there that people feel... it gives me a sense of sanity." -DJ Jenicide
