Revered as “The Sound of New York,” Gimel Keaton, better known as Young Guru possesses over a decade of experience in sound engineering, production, and A&R for the acclaimed Rock-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. As a Grammy Award winner for best rap song “Empire State of Mind” (2009), Young Guru has worked alongside legendary artists Jay-Z and Kanye West. Most notably recognized for shaping some of the biggest talent in Hip Hop, Young Guru has mixed 10 of Jay-Z’s 11 albums, appeared in his documentary NY-Z, and has earned himself a number of shout- outs on Jay-Z’s tracks paying homage to Guru’s exceptional skill set behind the scenes.

Young Guru’s latest break-through has been his recent appointment as Jay-Z’s official tour DJ. An endeavor well suited for the Guru considering his impeccable knowledge of Jay-Z’s discography, not to mention their longstanding professional and personal relationship dating back to 1999 after Jay-Z recruited the young engineer to mix at his Baseline Studios. A beast on the beats, DJing is just another notch in the Guru’s belt as he’s been throwing parties in his Delaware hometown since 1985 and even toured as DJ for Nonchalant back in 1996. Spanning across many diverse genres including early Hip hop, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Electro, House and Soul, Guru’s high energy DJ sets are aimed to keep Hip hop represented in the live performances through beat mixing, matching and scratching.

Young Guru | DJ Shortkut | Cedication.Crimes

Mighty |  119 Utah st. San Francisco

RSVP: yg-reignforest.eventbrite.com/

A Vibrant Night of Live Bands & Art Appreciation

RHYTHM NATIVES
Founded on a common love for hip hop and live instrumentation, and the integration of the two. Fronted by two emcees – Jon Narboneta, and Glen Techico – they’ve expanded into a six man unit that also includes: bassist Matt Mora, guitarist Mart Fabros, drummer Robert Fabros, and keyboardist Chez Guinto. Their sound is found between the cracks of genre divisions. The organic mix of hip hop, jazz, R&B, and soul has earned them the respect of various Los Angeles events like Bridges, Soul Sessions, Sonido Sundays, and The Rootdown.  Also supporting the band on deck will be DJ JustPudge.

DJ VINROC
(ThatsThatLabel / 5thPlatoon / TripleThreat)
Founder of ThatsThatlabel.com, and former 2x World champion DJ

DJ XARIUSOUND
(Reignforest Collective / Lion Medal)

VORTEXTRIBE
Hard-charging fusion of world groove, acid jazz, funk, and rock, moves you. Deborah Yates stitches kinetic and bewitching flute riffs through Jon Mulvey’s lushly seductive guitar work. Compelling bass and body-rocking beats drive listeners to dancing while the rapturous agitation of improv jazz gyrates on the backbone of high classical symphonic arrangement. This band is global, elemental, and essential.

Listening Lounge
Friday May 20th | 9:30pm-2:00am
$5 before 11pm on guestlist | *Guestlist@Reignforestcollective.com
Dress how you feel | 21+

Listening Lounge REMIXED @ 111 Minna Gallery | Friday April 15

For the past 4+ Years The Reignforest Collective has been dedicated to providing fertile grounds for artists and musicians to grow creatively. The Listening Lounge has always been a community effort. We would simply like to celebrate those that have been with us along the way.

Live Band:

Timeless | (Jonah Johnson / Lonnye Dotson / Ed Pasalo / Lionel Briones / James Cobb / Mid-1 / Alexis Rose / Charito Soriano)

Live Performance by:

B.Bravo (RedBullMusicAcademy)

Along with DJs:

King Most (Plug Label / BK Circus) | R-Cade (NoAff) | StankPalmer (DLRN) | Cedication.Crimes (Reignforest Collective) | Xariusound (Reignforest Collective)

Host: Ronostalgia (Reignforest Collective)

Serving Deep-fried Delights

Wonton Clan

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111 Minna Gallery | San Francisco | 21+ | $5 until 11:00pm with RSVP | Guestlist RSVP: guestlist@reignforestcollective.com

via Listening Lounge IV.

Though seasons change, The good music remains.

The Reignforest Collective would like to invite you to this special Autumn edition of The Listening Lounge. Designed in 2007, The Listening Lounge is an event dedicated to advancing creative art and music culture. This month the Reignforest has pieced together djs, musicians and vocalists from various creative perspectives to provide the soundtrack of the season.

*2 rooms of art & music appreciation featuring:
A live soulful performance by
Mara Hruby w/band (Sharing tracks from her EP ‘From Her Eyes)
Whooligan (40love/OM Records) | King Most (Plug Label/Brooklyn Circus) | Choco (Reignforest Collective/Prolific)

Cedication.Crimes (Reignforest Collective) | Xariusound (Reignforest Collective)

This month’s art installtion features: Toshio Saeki | Exclusive Solo Exhibit:
One of Japan’s most infamous artists, Toshio Saeki, will soon have his work on display at 111 Minna Gallery, in San Francisco, California. Called “the godfather of Japanese erotica,” Toshio Saeki has cultivated a unique and shocking style – blending traditional Japanese technique with his own twisted imagination. Saeki’s artwork is a synthesis of depraved vision and incredible artistic ability. “A famous writer once described my works as ‘obviously peculiar’ and I cannot completely deny that,” he said. ”I want to surprise people, make them happy, and if possible, even completely enchant the minds of those who see my work. To realize that, I will choose whatever method it takes, and will not limit myself.”

111 Minna Gallery SF 21+ | dress how u feel| $5 before 10:30pm w/RSVP/GUESTLIST @WWW.GOING.COM/LISTENINGLOUNGE or Email Guestlist@Reignforestcollective.com | $10 otherwise

The REIGNFOREST collective: Listening Lounge | f. Binary Star |  Friday NOV 20 @ Minna Gallery SF
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REALITY CHECK. Upcoming, next Friday (11/20): The Reignforest Collective presents: Listening Lounge featuring BINARY STAR along with resident djs Cedication.Crimes & Xariusound.

Binary Star is back to change the game once again.

The duo of emcees One Be Lo and Senim Silla possess a lethal chemistry greater than the sum of its parts. Trading verses effortlessly, the two can create magic on the mic ranging from intricate storytelling to battle raps.

Recently reuniting after a 10-year hiatus, Binary Star is back in the studio working on its long awaited follow-up to the classic debut album Masters Of The Universe (M.O.T.U.). Tentatively titled “Light Years Apart,” the duo’s EP serves as a mere prequel to a full-length LP.

(via Sonic Birds)

New Playlist by ISO50 EP PT III

Listening Lounge

“AUTUMN-MATIC”
A night of eclectic music & art appreciation
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This installation of the Listening Lounge sheds light on some of The Bay’s most respected audio innovators and cultural mavens.
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****Premium beat selection from honorary guest:****

DJ SHORTKUT (Triple Threat / Beat Junkies)

****Live special performances by****

THE BANGERZ (DJs Goldenchyld, Cutso & Squareweezy)
http://www.thebangerz.com
www.myspace.com/fingerbangerz &

F.A.M.E. (Teeko, Max Kane, Colin Brown & Malaguti)
Fresh. Analog. Music. Experience.
www.freshanalogmusicexperience.com

****Guest vibe conductor & microphone specialist****
*FRAN BOOGIE
twitter.com/franBoogie

****& Of course Reignforest inhabitants/djs:****

XARIUSOUND (Reignforest Collective) &
CEDICATION.CRIMES (Reignforest Collective)
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*Art Installation titled, “Love It Or Leave It”
October group exhibit at 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco

Artists:
Brent Harada, David Choong Lee, Derek Albeck, Eric Bailey, French, Hannah Stouffer, Hiro Kurata, Luke Ramsey, Marco Zamora, Tommii Lim, Travis Millard

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the days get shorter. the fog rolls in deeper. jackets get thicker. and summer fades. but for Listening Lounge and the Reignforest Collective, though the seasons change, the good music always remains! and so does Listening Lounge’s signature postive environment, cutting edge art, and live music. You see, as choppy as the waters of 2009 have been we’ve tried our best to ensure that what you’ve come to love about Listening Lounge stays the same. for the most slept on and one of the most reliable Hip-Hop monthlies in SF, its AUTUMN-MATIC!

Rsvp on facebook invite or www.going.com/listeninglounge for the $5 guestlist!!