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

—-

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

Photos from Fridays, “I’m a muthaf*cking MONSTER!” Event are up!

Get at em here:

http://reignforestcollective.com/photos

As The Reignforest Collective continues their involvement in the preservation & advancement of The Bay Area’s creative culture, We invite you to vibe with fellow open-minded art & music lovers on Friday October 15th at 111 Minna Gallery San Francisco. For nearly four years, The Listening Lounge has been an event designed & dedicated to serve as a “melting pot” for people that appreciate various musical styles and creative perspe…ctives. Come join us for an evening of movin’ & groovin’ + perkin’ & networkin’. We just want to do our part in providing quality music events while connecting “everyday people” in the process

This month features sound styling by special guests:

A-RON (good company) +
PRINCE ARIES (distortion2static)
[performing a live 2x4 dj set]

SQUAREWEEZY (the bangerz)
[performing live beat production]

BOOGIE BROWN (getlive.sf)

& of course Reignforest vibe preservationists:

XARIUSOUND
CEDICATION.CRIMES
RONOSTALGIA

+Guest food cart: WONTON CLAN
__________________________________________________________________
This month’s art installation:
”SCREAM WITH ME” curated by Angela Holmes

The music world has crossed over to the fine art world, for what promises to be an amazing, first-time exclusive group exhibit at 111 Minna Gallery. “Scream With Me” will be showing original works by an impressive variety of musicians mixed in with internationally known tattoo artists from around the world.

Music and tattoo culture seem to always form an alliance; they practically go hand in hand. Taking her love for music, tattoos and artwork, curator Angela Holmes has mashed them all together to assemble a fantastic line-up of musicians she admires and some of her favorite tattoo artists in the industry.

“Scream With Me” features work by:
Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Joby J Ford (The Bronx), Jason Cruz (Strung Out), Chad Van Gaalen, Frank Carter (Gallows), Conrad Keeley (…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead), Jacob Bannon (Converge), Tim Fite, Dallas Wehrle (Constantines), John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees), Tim Presley (White Fence/Darker My Love), Hayden Menzies, David Cook (Marching Teeth), Ross Farrar (Ceremony) Kyle Field (Little Wings), Dan Smith (Dear & Departed) and Michael Beinhorn

+ Uncle Allan (Copenhagen, Denmark), Henry Lewis (San Francisco, CA), Chad Koeplinger (New York, NY), Lizzie Renaud (Toronto, Canada), Todd Noble Holloway (Salisbury, MD), and Bart Bingham (New York, NY)

YOU are cordially invited to connect with fellow art & music lovers at the ‘Common Ground’. The Listening Lounge is an event designed to sustain quality eclectic music for the diverse people of The Bay that appreciate it. This edition of the monthly ‘Listening Lounge’ event focuses on bringing together artists, bands, djs & vocalists from various musical and creative perspectives. Music is often the catalyst that links people together, Enabling us to connect and build relationships. This Friday September 17th, 111 Minna Gallery becomes our ‘Common Ground’.

-Live Performances by
THE SESHEN (soul/funk/reggae band)

The Seshen is a soul-funk-reggae fusion band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Fronted by lead vocalists Akasha Orr and Lalin, it is rooted in music performed by bassist Aki Ehara, drummer Julian Pont, guitarist Tony Lowe and keyboardist Mahesh Rao. With influences ranging from Portishead to Erykah Badu, their entrancing sound combines melodic harmonies and throwback grooves that creates vibe that is refreshingly original.

BROKEN HALOS (hip hop lyricists)

Senbei was born and raised in Richmond, CA is one half of the greatest Hip-Hop duo you’ve never heard of, Broken Halos along with Jeimil Belamide. Senbei bought his first Public Enemy and Sir Mixalot cassette tapes at the tender age of 8 and has been a DJ/poet for the last 10 years. He has worked in public education/academic intervention for the last 5 years and is on his way to earn a Masters’ degree in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University. “Anyone who needs what they want and doesn’t want what they need, he wants nothing to do with…”

Akiyoshi Ehara and Kumar Butler were born and raised in Richmond, CA and besides producing some of the most cosmic ‘audio-karate’ around today, are members of Bay Area rock band, “The Vein.” Aki and Kumar recently returned to the Bay Area after having toured the entire country, sharing their talents through sonic expression.

Senbei & Dynamic Souls = Eastbay Funk.

& more tba

-DJ sets by
XARIUSOUND (Reignforest Collective/Stellar Winds)
CEDICATION.CRIMES (Reignforest Collective/Beats & Eats)
ALLAN PEREZ (Spintronix)
& more tba

Hosted by Ronostalgia (Reignforest Collective)
+
Special guest hosts :

CERTIFIED FRESH (certifiedfresh.tumblr.com)

-Art Installation titled “Everyday”

111 Minna Gallery is proud to present “Everyday”, an exhibition showcasing new works by group of Californian tattoo artists including Shawn Barber, Mike Giant and Mike Davis.‘Everyday’ is an attempt to shine a different light on a group of artists who have been involved in the tattoo practice and part of the shop culture. A variety of other media, not simply tattoo designs, will be on display to capture another side of the tattoo culture, the everyday lives of these artists, which can be viewed as a unique subculture in itself. Viewers will gain a different insight to the artistic commitment, nature and practice through this unique and candid exhibition.

food cart
WONTON CLAN (twitter.com/wontonclan)

get on the $5 guestlist @ http://going.com/listeninglounge

Long before he was Jay Z’s tour DJ for all of 2008 and 2009, or a Global Brand Ambassador for Adidas for 2010, Neil Armstrong was a humble, fan of music. And he has never changed.

Acknowledged as the founding father of the DJ Collective the “5th Platoon”, Neil was born and breed in NYC, cutting his teeth in the early 90’s during the era of backpack Hip-Hop and the art of Turntablism. His time spent in the trenches battling and mastering the art of spinning allowed him to rock shows alongside artists across the Hip-Hop spectrum – from De La Soul, The Roots, Company Flow and Biz Markie, to Kanye West, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Wyclef Jean; he was also a member of the critically acclaimed 2 time Grammy -Nominated jazz band – Russell Gunn and Ethnomusicology, playing alongside iconic musicians Kenny Garrett (a member of Miles Davis’ band) and Brandford Marsalis.

Over the last 9 years, he has made an indelible mark in the sub-genre of Hip-Hop known as “Mixtape Culture.” Neil’s highly-regarded mixtapes represent his eclectic music taste and have generated considerable press, most-notably in Rolling Stone, Vibe, MTV.com, Theme, URB and Complex.

Neil has traveled the globe for an array of club appearances and events. He has been the NBA’s DJ of choice for their Rookie Shootout since 2006 and he has performed in Stockholm, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Holland, Poland, Belgium, Iceland, Nigeria, Germany, Vancouver, Toronto, the Phillipines, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Tokyo, just to name a few spots.

From rocking in front of over 100,000 fans at the Glastonbury Festival, to anchoring a performance on the Letterman Show, to pumping with ice-cold veins at Madison Square Garden (three consecutive shows no less), DJ Neil Armstrong is now in the highest strata of DJ existence.

And even though he can now been seen in videos with Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige, has spun for adidas at the Olympic Games in Beijing, has shared the stage with Rihanna, Beyonce, Kanye West, Young Jeezy, Swiss Beats, Puff Daddy, Timbaland, Bun B, Memphis Bleek, EPMD, and Method Man, or performed alongside Slayer, Interpol, The Cool Kids, Common, Neil Young, Mark Ronson, Coldplay, NERD, and Linkin Park, Neil is as humble and focused as ever.

————————————————–

presented by
GET LIVE SF
DISTORTION 2 STATIC
THE REIGNFOREST COLLECTIVE

NEIL ARMSTRONG
5th platoon | roc boys | adidas global brand ambassador

MR. E
papalote hi-fi

HAYLOW
distortion 2 static

2 X 4 sets by

PRINCE ARIES
distortion 2 static | breaking atoms | wonton clan

BOOGIE BROWN
get live sf | the formula

XARIUSOUND
the reignforest collective

CEDICATION.CRIMES
the reignforest collective

in the lounge…

ENOCH
distortion 2 static

TONE DEF
distortion 2 static | kmel

BEATS ME
distortion 2 static

ILLEFFECT
osiris | kreative resource

on crowd control

WONWAY
distortion 2 static | latin soul brothers

your hosts for the evening..

GETLIVE.RO
get live sf | wonton clan

RONOSTALGIA
the reignforest collective | for the love

REL
distortion 2 static | drum n ammo

it all goes down

next
FRIDAY
JULY 30TH

Distortion 2 Static, Getlive.SF and Reignforest Collective Present

ENCORE featuring DJ NEIL ARMSTRONG

In the Main Room

DJs
NEIL ARMSTRONG (Jay-Z’s Tour DJ | 5th Platoon | Adidas Brand Ambassador)
MR E (Papalote Hi-Fi)

Video DJ Set
HAYLOW (Distortion 2 Static)

2×4 Sets
BOOGIE BROWN (Getlive.SF)
PRINCE ARIES (Distortion 2 Static | Breaking Atoms)
CEDICATION.CRIMES (Reignforest Collective)
XARIUSOUND (Reignforest Collective)

Crowd Control
WONWAY POSIBUL (Latin Soul Brothers | Distortion 2 Static)

In the Back Room

DJs
TONE DEF (Distortion 2 Static | KMEL)
BEATS ME (Distortion 2 Static)
ILLEFECT (Osiris | Kreative Resource)

Crowd Control
ENOCH (Distortion 2 Static)

Hosts
REL (Distortion 2 Static)
GETLIVE.RO (Getlive.SF)
RONOSTALGIA (Reignforest Collective)

Friday, July 30th at Mighty | 119 Utah St | SF, CA
No Dress Code | 21 and Up with Photo ID | 9pm – 3am