Nothing Says Happy Holidays Like a Hip-Hop Variety Show

It wouldn’t be the holidays in San Francisco without people ice skating in Union Square, festive lights shining on City Hall and hip-hop artists performing a variety show at a well-known music venue.

This Saturday, Dec. 20, the Clement Street club Neck of the Woods plays host as lyricist Richie Cunning, turntablist DJBADDJ and a few friends rock the stage at the inaugural iteration of The Richie Cunning & DJBADDJ Holiday Special.

“You could call it a TV show,” Cunning explains to KQED.

But, he adds, there won’t be any live streaming or broadcast. Instead, he and his crew are putting together an evening of musical performances structured in the form of a variety show and inspired by classic holiday television programs.

As opposed to the typical live hip-hop event format, where a couple of opening acts are followed by one headliner, Cunning says the show will have more of a “Mister Rogers vibe.”

Cunning, a longtime rapper and producer from Frisco, and the South Bay’s DJBADDJ will be on stage for the majority of the night, as some of their talented friends “stop by” for performances.

The evening’s list of holiday helpers includes lyrical titans like San Francisco’s A1, Texas’ Pudge, the East Bay’s Ashkon and QM of the Rec League crew.

In addition to performing on Saturday night, the aforementioned guests will be briefly interviewed on stage. They’ll also get a small taste of holiday magic.

“We’re also going to have presents,” Cunning exclaims. “Every guest artist who stops by, we’re going to have them open a present on stage.” A few random crowd members will also leave with a gift.

Full of that festive spirit, Cunning says the idea for the event comes from his ambition to do something that brings together people for the holidays — especially those who are returning home for the season.

“I’m not sure how many of them are coming back anymore,” Cunning says, making a jab at The City’s shifting population over the past two decades. “But we wanted to do something for the home team around the holidays.”

The show is set to start at 8 p.m. Cunning promises those of a certain age that the event won’t run too late. He says, “It’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

The Richie Cunning & DJBADDJ Holiday Special takes place Saturday, Dec. 20 at Neck of the Woods (406 Clement St., San Francisco).