“Lil Maru” Macias is among the most lit rappers in San Diego — at least, judging by the 19-year-old’s social media. A combination of melodic rapping, singing, and mumbling has pulled the hip-hop artist some staggering internet numbers: as this piece goes to print, his TikTok vids have earned over 12 million plays. “After TikTok, […]
On August 13, ravers took to the TikTok platform to post about a recent underground rave in town. An underground rave is an illegal electronic dance music (EDM) party. While the location on the video posts was undisclosed, the partygoers, who looked as if they were in their teens and 20s, accessed the rave via […]
By Mike Madriaga Baja Beach Fest, known to many Gen-Z San Diegans simply as “BBF,” is an annual music festival held just north of the Muelle De Rosarito fishing pier. The festival, which started in 2018, is a showcase for reggaetón — a meld of Spanish rap, hip-hop, Caribbean, and Latin music — and has […]
By Mike Madriaga Bedroom pop fans can post a thank-you emoji to the algorithmic cupids of YouTube for reuniting Boy Pablo and Cuco at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Monday, Nov. 1. Los Angeles is the fifth city to host Boy Pablo’s Wachito Rico North America Tour. “‘Wachito Rico’ is Chilean slang for […]
By: Mike Madriaga Breakin’ with Olympic prospects @ Kearny Mesa/Old Town Breakdancing will be an official sport at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and local b-girls and b-boys have been practicing breakdance maneuvers in hopes of repping Team USA. Throughout the county, breakers are “spontaneously” linking up via “social media,” according to b-girl Melissa Adao, […]
By Mike Madriaga The palabra within the off-road community is that reggaeton star Karol G has brought some new fans and racers into off-roadin’ culture. “I think it’s awesome that more women are getting involved in off-roading,” said Yolie Stover, who has covered the off-road racing scene since the ’90s, when Karol G was birthed […]
By Mike Madriaga The original story was published in the print edition of the San Diego Reader on June 24, 2021[/caption]Throughout the month of June, pop-rapper and reggaeton songstress Becky G has tweeted and TikTokked while “drippin’” with Dime Optics, the sunglass/eyeglass brand she signed on with during the pandemic. Some ‘90s hip-hop heads say […]
By Mike Madriaga A sense of elation followed by pride broke out among San Diego hip-hoppers and sneakerheads last month when Lincoln High alumnus, Norman Powell, signed a sneaker deal with AND1. “Powell is currently the only San Diego-born player with his own shoe,” said local hip-hop head and sneaker dealer Dante Rowley. “Powell signing […]
By Mike Madriaga On March 26-27, an estimated 20 San Diegans rendezvoused with about 3000 other record collectors and dealers at the Pasaje Rodríguez on Avenida Revolución in Tijuana for the Fifth Tijuana Vinyl Fair. “[I found] an extremely rare ‘City of the Angels’ single by Los Walker de Tijuana,” said Lucio Soto. “Currently, I […]
On the 4th of July, Kanye West tweeted: “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION.” I took to my social media to see if the 43-year-old rapper turned entrepreneur would have San Diego voters […]
By Mike Madriaga San Diego hip-hop heads were baffled as to how Tekashi 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj’s “Trollz” copped the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 list on June 12. Near the beginning of the three-plus-minute cut, 6ix9ine raps: I know you don’t like me, you wanna fight me You don’t want no problems […]
By Mike Madriaga In 1979, Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to sign with a major record label: Mercury Records. They released “Christmas Rappin’” and then “The Breaks,” which in 1980 became the first rap record to receive a gold music recording certification. “‘The Breaks’ is an ode to all of the b-boys,” Kurtis Blow […]
By Mike Madriaga When Lincoln High alumnus Norman Powell and SDSU alumnus Kawhi Leonard helped bring the Toronto Raptors the 4-2 “W” over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals (May 30 through June 13), San Diego sports fans and hip-hoppers rejoiced. Lemon Grove rap-artist Rob Stone posted on his Instagram: “NBA CHAMPION !!! DAYGO PROUD OF YOU BRO @normanpowell4.” […]
By Mike Madriaga Pacific Beach violinist Jamie Shadowlight was ecstatic when she heard electric violinist Lindsey Stirling would headline the San Diego Fair on June 27. “Stirling has made playing violin fun and inspired so many young people to break out of the classical form,” she said. “Her cinematic videos are captivating and creative with […]
By Mike Madriaga On October 11 at about 1:45 p.m., I saw a lady by the I-15 exit on Adams Avenue carrying yellow signs. I wasn’t sure if the lady just pulled the yellow and red Wild ‘n Out promo signs that were there (and now gone) hours before: I quickly flipped a U-turn and […]