window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"arts_13991464": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991464",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991464",
"found": true
},
"title": "IMG_2178-scaled",
"publishDate": 1783555988,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13991183,
"modified": 1783556093,
"caption": "The Mekanix, 4rax and Kenny Tweed (L–R), take a break outside their East Oakland studio.",
"credit": "Pendarvis Harshaw",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-1536x1025.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1025,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2178-scaled-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1334
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13991324": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991324",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991324",
"found": true
},
"title": "Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5",
"publishDate": 1783354508,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1783355335,
"caption": "Christian Vela, seen here coordinating a soundcheck, has been named the new artistic director of San Jose Jazz. ",
"credit": "Courtesy San Jose Jazz",
"altTag": "A man in Ray-Ban style sunglasses, black shirt and a newsboy cap looks to the right while a Black man in white sunglasses clutches a microphone in the background",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-160x128.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-768x614.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 614,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-1536x1228.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1228,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-Vela-soundcheck-5.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1599
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13934882": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13934882",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13934882",
"found": true
},
"parent": 13934324,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-160x120.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 120
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-scaled.jpg",
"width": 2560,
"height": 1920
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-2048x1536.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1536
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-1020x765.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 765
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-1536x1152.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1152
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-1920x1440.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1440
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-800x600.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 600
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Hiero.Group_.2023-768x576.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
}
},
"publishDate": 1695055392,
"modified": 1695055418,
"caption": "Hieroglyphics on stage at Hiero Day in Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, Sept. 4, 2023.",
"description": null,
"title": "Hiero.Group.2023",
"credit": "Eric Arnold/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": null,
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13991258": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991258",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991258",
"found": true
},
"title": "The Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_ Kathleen Sheffer_5",
"publishDate": 1782934483,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13991246,
"modified": 1782934616,
"caption": "The Plenary, Co., a nonprofit that uses art and science to inspire people to get involved in their communities, organized Future of Us Festival with a crew of interdisciplinary collaborators.",
"credit": "Kathleen Sheffer",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/The-Plenary_Illuminations_Credit_-Kathleen-Sheffer_5.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13991217": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991217",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991217",
"found": true
},
"title": "Christopher L. Thompson",
"publishDate": 1782852915,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782853237,
"caption": "Composer Christopher L. Thompson, winner of the San Francisco Symphony's sixth annual Emerging Black Composers Project. ",
"credit": "Ricky A. Richardson",
"altTag": "An African-American man in a white blazer and brown tie poses for a photo.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-160x93.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 93,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-768x444.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 444,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-1536x889.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 889,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Christopher-Thompson.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1157
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13805304": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13805304",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13805304",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"small": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-520x347.jpg",
"width": 520,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 347
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-960x641.jpg",
"width": 960,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 641
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-375x250.jpg",
"width": 375,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 250
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1281
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-1020x681.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 681
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-1180x787.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 787
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-50x50.jpg",
"width": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 50
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-96x96.jpg",
"width": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 96
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 534
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-64x64.jpg",
"width": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 64
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-32x32.jpg",
"width": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 32
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-1920x1281.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1281
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-1180x787.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 787
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-1920x1281.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1281
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-150x150.jpg",
"width": 150,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 150
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 512
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-128x128.jpg",
"width": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 128
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/Metallica-240x160.jpg",
"width": 240,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 160
}
},
"publishDate": 1502629076,
"modified": 1502629918,
"caption": "Metallica performs at the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco, Aug. 12, 2017.",
"description": null,
"title": "Metallica performs at the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco, Aug. 12, 2017.",
"credit": "Estefany Gonzalez",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13991185": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991185",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991185",
"found": true
},
"title": "Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins",
"publishDate": 1782835382,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782837092,
"caption": "Mission District band Shotwell plays a generator show at the 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa late 1990s. ",
"credit": "Karoline Collins",
"altTag": "Two young men play electric bass and guitar against a backdrop of iron fencing and a Burger King",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 106,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 509,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1018,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Shotwell-1_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1326
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13991153": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991153",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991153",
"found": true
},
"title": "IMG_20260625_125806-scaled",
"publishDate": 1782757670,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13991008,
"modified": 1782760818,
"caption": "San José's Kaleena Zanders, pictured at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2024, is on the rise as a dance music vocalist and DJ. ",
"credit": "Courtesy Harp Digital Media",
"altTag": "A woman in a heat and glasses taking a candid photo while resting on a fence outside.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125806-scaled-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13991017": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13991017",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991017",
"found": true
},
"title": "GettyImages-1322020222",
"publishDate": 1782257510,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13991001,
"modified": 1782257644,
"caption": "Project associate Joi Morgan assists students Brandon Coles (center) and Tino Becerra in music production at Youth Radio in 2013. The Oakland nonprofit is reopening this week after shutting down in 2024 due to financial issues. ",
"credit": "Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images",
"altTag": "A young Black woman in blue denim helps a multiethnic group of students in front of a room of desktop computers.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-160x106.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 106,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-768x508.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 508,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-1536x1015.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1015,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/GettyImages-1322020222.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1322
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13990950": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13990950",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13990950",
"found": true
},
"title": "Clive office",
"publishDate": 1782158326,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13990938,
"modified": 1782158435,
"caption": "Sony Music Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis in his office in New York on Feb. 18, 2013. ",
"credit": "Dan Hallman/Invision/AP, File",
"altTag": "A white man in a blue suit and tie stands in an office next to a table full of framed photos.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-160x107.png",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-768x511.png",
"width": 768,
"height": 511,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-1536x1023.png",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1023,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-672x372.png",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-1038x576.png",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-1200x675.png",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office-600x600.png",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/png"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Clive-office.png",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1332
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13990886": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13990886",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13990886",
"found": true
},
"title": "260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED",
"publishDate": 1781812645,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1781812705,
"caption": "Carey Deeter from the Graffiti Camp for Girls collaborates on a sketch design for a graffiti art piece on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.",
"credit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00318_TV-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13990832": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13990832",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13990832",
"found": true
},
"title": "DELUXE VENUE 1",
"publishDate": 1781653841,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13990771,
"modified": 1781653923,
"caption": "Barrio Manouche performs at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026.",
"credit": "Dennis Hearne",
"altTag": "jazz band performs on Art Deco stage with murals behind",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1-160x107.jpeg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1-768x512.jpeg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1-672x372.jpeg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1-1038x576.jpeg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1-1200x675.jpeg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1-600x600.jpeg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-1.jpeg",
"width": 1500,
"height": 1000
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"byline_arts_13991166": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_arts_13991166",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_arts_13991166",
"name": "Trevor Schock",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_arts_13990938": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_arts_13990938",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_arts_13990938",
"name": "Nekesa Mumbi Moody & Maria Sherman, Associated Press",
"isLoading": false
},
"agilbert": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "86",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "86",
"found": true
},
"name": "Andrew Gilbert",
"firstName": "Andrew",
"lastName": "Gilbert",
"slug": "agilbert",
"email": "jazzscribe@aol.com",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "A Los Angeles native based in the Berkeley area since 1996, Andrew Gilbert covers jazz, international music and dance for KQED's \u003ci>California Report, \u003c/i>the\u003ci> Mercury News\u003c/i>, \u003ci>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/i>, \u003ci>Berkeleyside.com\u003c/i>, and other publications. He is available for weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs. #jazzscribe",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d7bcafdbefdd39e9a68f88724ca616eb4e7a5a6bff9cdfb62de652a1e1751471?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"Contributor",
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"author"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Andrew Gilbert | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d7bcafdbefdd39e9a68f88724ca616eb4e7a5a6bff9cdfb62de652a1e1751471?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d7bcafdbefdd39e9a68f88724ca616eb4e7a5a6bff9cdfb62de652a1e1751471?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/agilbert"
},
"gmeline": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "185",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "185",
"found": true
},
"name": "Gabe Meline",
"firstName": "Gabe",
"lastName": "Meline",
"slug": "gmeline",
"email": "gmeline@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"arts"
],
"title": "Senior Editor, KQED Arts & Culture",
"bio": "Gabe Meline entered journalism at age 15 making photocopied zines, and has since earned awards from the Edward R. Murrow Awards, the Society for Professional Journalists, the Online Journalism Awards, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Prior to KQED, he was the editor of the \u003cem>North Bay Bohemian\u003c/em> and a touring musician. He lives with his wife and daughter in his hometown of Santa Rosa, CA.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5bebe57be0d8bc2dd318934feb47299e2d2d10cba28d09d8d7afb389a2ce2bdd?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "artschool",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "pop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "hiphop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Gabe Meline | KQED",
"description": "Senior Editor, KQED Arts & Culture",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5bebe57be0d8bc2dd318934feb47299e2d2d10cba28d09d8d7afb389a2ce2bdd?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5bebe57be0d8bc2dd318934feb47299e2d2d10cba28d09d8d7afb389a2ce2bdd?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/gmeline"
},
"ralexandra": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11242",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11242",
"found": true
},
"name": "Rae Alexandra",
"firstName": "Rae",
"lastName": "Alexandra",
"slug": "ralexandra",
"email": "ralexandra@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"arts"
],
"title": "Reporter/Producer",
"bio": "Rae Alexandra is a Reporter/Producer for KQED Arts & Culture, and the creator/author of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/program/rebel-girls-from-bay-area-history\">Rebel Girls From Bay Area History\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/bizarrebayarea\">Bizarre Bay Area\u003c/a> series. Her debut book, \u003ca href=\"https://citylights.com/politics-current-events-history/unsung-heroines35-women-who-changed/\">Unsung Heroines: 35 Women Who Changed the Bay Area\u003c/a> was published by City Lights in March 2026. In 2023, Rae was awarded an SPJ Excellence in Journalism Award for Arts & Culture. Rae was born and raised in Wales and subsequently — even after two decades in Northern California — still uses phrases that regularly baffle her coworkers.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/edfee8176c80cc0a382b051190f5341997df378a934a5774dcb0977732dfd401?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "pop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Rae Alexandra | KQED",
"description": "Reporter/Producer",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/edfee8176c80cc0a382b051190f5341997df378a934a5774dcb0977732dfd401?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/edfee8176c80cc0a382b051190f5341997df378a934a5774dcb0977732dfd401?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/ralexandra"
},
"nvoynovskaya": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11387",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11387",
"found": true
},
"name": "Nastia Voynovskaya",
"firstName": "Nastia",
"lastName": "Voynovskaya",
"slug": "nvoynovskaya",
"email": "nvoynovskaya@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"arts"
],
"title": "Editor and reporter",
"bio": "Nastia Voynovskaya is a reporter, editor and host at KQED Arts & Culture. She's been covering the arts in the Bay Area for over a decade, with a focus on music, queer culture, labor issues and grassroots organizing. She has edited KQED story series such as Trans Bay: A History of San Francisco's Gender-Diverse Community, and co-created KQED's Bay Area hip-hop history project, That's My Word. Nastia's work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and San Francisco Press Club. She regularly appears on podcasts and radio programs, including NPR's All Songs Considered, and hosts live events where music, culture and conversation meet.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5025ee460e5a85d69ca20ea6c6f2f80d7e17795c828f61ea3aecfcd924e9042e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": "https://www.instagram.com/nananastia/",
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "pop",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "podcasts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "hiphop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Nastia Voynovskaya | KQED",
"description": "Editor and reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5025ee460e5a85d69ca20ea6c6f2f80d7e17795c828f61ea3aecfcd924e9042e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5025ee460e5a85d69ca20ea6c6f2f80d7e17795c828f61ea3aecfcd924e9042e?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/nvoynovskaya"
},
"ogpenn": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11491",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11491",
"found": true
},
"name": "Pendarvis Harshaw",
"firstName": "Pendarvis",
"lastName": "Harshaw",
"slug": "ogpenn",
"email": "ogpenn@gmail.com",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"arts"
],
"title": "Community Engagement Reporter",
"bio": "Pendarvis Harshaw is an educator, host and writer with KQED Arts.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/972b77ee8e3f346ae2b00622661187fbfabd059b5693bbdc1475ea7a722fd4cd?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": "ogpenn",
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "hiphop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Pendarvis Harshaw | KQED",
"description": "Community Engagement Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/972b77ee8e3f346ae2b00622661187fbfabd059b5693bbdc1475ea7a722fd4cd?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/972b77ee8e3f346ae2b00622661187fbfabd059b5693bbdc1475ea7a722fd4cd?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/ogpenn"
},
"jmelido": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11972",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11972",
"found": true
},
"name": "Janea Melido",
"firstName": "Janea",
"lastName": "Melido",
"slug": "jmelido",
"email": "jmelido@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"arts"
],
"title": "Contributor, KQED Arts & Culture",
"bio": "Janea Melido holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in Ethnic Studies from the University of Portland. She's drawn to the quiet power of everyday stories, especially ones that often go overlooked. When she's not reporting, she enjoys cutting up her old print stories and making collages out of them. She served as an intern for KQED Arts & Culture in 2025–26.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a29821c5951064ade16b01245ce4604a599e1d4609df1ff590a8de6c7728826a?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Janea Melido | KQED",
"description": "Contributor, KQED Arts & Culture",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a29821c5951064ade16b01245ce4604a599e1d4609df1ff590a8de6c7728826a?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a29821c5951064ade16b01245ce4604a599e1d4609df1ff590a8de6c7728826a?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/jmelido"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"arts_category_music": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_69",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "69",
"score": 10.847683
},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Music",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Music Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 70,
"slug": "music",
"isLoading": false,
"title": "Music",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "arts",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 2
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/arts?category=music",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 2
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"arts_13991183": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991183",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991183",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1783557165000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "the-mekanix-oakland-rap-hip-hop-production-bay-area",
"title": "After 20 Years of Blaps, The Mekanix Thrive on Willpower and Alignment",
"publishDate": 1783557165,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "After 20 Years of Blaps, The Mekanix Thrive on Willpower and Alignment | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The computer screen displays photos of rap luminaries. On a nearby wall hang news articles, vinyl records and memorabilia from the likes of Shock G and Tupac Shakur.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This is the East Oakland studio of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kennytweedofthemekanix/?hl=en\">Kenny Tweed \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/4rax_of_themekanix/?hl=en\">4Rax\u003c/a>, who during a recent visit sat in office chairs around a large, custom-made rug bearing the name of their production duo: \u003ca href=\"https://www.themekanix.com/\">The Mekanix\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It may seem like a humble setting for such an influential duo. For more than 20 years, The Mekanix have made blap after blap after blap, casting their name into the debate over the most prolific production team from the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Summarizing their winning formula, 4rAx says, simply, “Everything is about alignment.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Two men pose for a photo while sitting on bar stools in a music studio.\" class=\"wp-image-13991415\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With more than 20 years of production credits to their name, The Mekanix are one of the most prolific production duos to ever come from the Bay Area. (Pendarvis Harshaw)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Throughout their career, despite health concerns, technological shifts and the ups-and-downs of the music industry, The Mekanix have maintained their sound and honed their craft. Driven by an ambition to see the Bay properly represented, they consistently show what can be done with the bare essentials of 808s and willpower.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve been together for more than 20 years,” says 4rAx, laughing as he adds that such a milestone is rare for people in “regular relationships,” he says, “let alone business.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mentored by the best\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tweed and 4rax may have come into the game from different angles, but they complimented one another immediately.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tweed is the son of jazz musician Kenny “Big Kenny” Tullis. A multitalented instrumentalist who focused mainly on the saxophone, he would gig around the Bay, and even did shows with Tower of Power. “He instilled music in me,” says Tweed of his father, who encouraged him to play the drums, piano and trumpet.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tweed was also childhood friends with Keak Da Sneak, and gravitated toward hip-hop. Spice 1 and RBL Posse spoke to his heart, but it was Too Short who really left his mark — until one day, when Tweed forgot to take a Short tape out of his dad’s cassette player.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[Pops] fully supported me in being a musician,” says Tweed, “but he just didn’t want that playing in his house.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU5vM4VSB3A\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Years later, Tweed’s residence would become a hit factory.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you pulled up to High Street and Fairfax,” 4rAx says of Kenny’s home studio, “you would’ve thought somebody was out there selling bricks.” There were all kinds of cars and walks of life, a who’s-who of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, he says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When me and Tweed hooked up,” 4rAx reflects, “I had the door open to the industry through Shock G and Money B,” the two Digital Underground founders he refers to as “ambassadors of hip-hop.” 4rAx, who came from a family of auto mechanics in Chicago, fell in love with hip-hop before moving to the Bay as a young teen.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Once he touched the soil, he explored every aspect of the culture. A visual artist and barber, he was also part of a duo named Funky From Birth. They soon crossed paths fellow dance duo Razzle Dazzle (who’d appeared in Digital Underground’s “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsjggc5jHM\">Humpty Dance\u003c/a>” video), and 4rAx became a backup dancer for the late actor, rapper and former Digital Underground member \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13968340/saafir-dead-oakland-rapper-dies-at-54\">Saafir\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time, 4rax befriended the late East Oakland rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQbRZIVAxuc\">Plan B\u003c/a> and legendary graffiti artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/10141391/dream-but-dont-sleep-remembering-mike-dream-francisco\">Mike “Dream” Francisco\u003c/a>. They’d all hang out at the Shirtique store in the Hilltop Mall, where Dream airbrushed shirts. And “once or twice,” 4rAx recalls, “they had me DJ a backyard party for them, off cassettes.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Matriculating through “the crazy labyrinth” that led to a career in music, 4rAx held tight to his ambition of becoming a DJ. Through Digital Underground, he was introduced to producers and audio equipment. “And now I’m around turntables,” he says, “and I’m nice!” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Sure enough, when D.U.’s \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Fuze\">DJ Fuze\u003c/a> took some time away from the crew, 4rAx stepped up.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13918716\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">4rAx and Kenny Tweed of The Mekanix perform at Hiero Day on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Linking with J. Stalin in the 2000s\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kenny Tweed and 4rAx first combined forces at the turn of the millennium, working on a project for an artist named IRS and then later for the collective \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfzciL6b1bqjoRl8Sx0zhwWDSCXxpLO-\">Hittaz on the Payroll\u003c/a>. But it was the debut project for an artist from West Oakland that solidified them as a production duo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“One day,” says 4rAx, recalling a studio session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.thegrillstudios.com/\">The Grill Studios\u003c/a> in Emeryville, “we were mixing on some shit, and then \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/jstalinlivewire/?hl=en\">J. Stalin\u003c/a> came in and heard us playing some beats.” Young, brash, still one foot in the streets and fresh off of a record deal that had fallen through, Stalin started rapping. “We stopped the session,” 4rAx exclaims. They left the studio where they were mixing, went to a different studio and made the song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LccVrkvUrdE\">So Cold\u003c/a>,” the first track for Stalin’s standout 2006 project, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/4bTvgOTzn4bUumADOocbPp\">On Behalf of The Streets\u003c/a>\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was a Toys R Us commercial,” says 4rAx of Stalin’s innocent-sounding tone that masked malicious lyrics. “He turned it into some street shit.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://youtu.be/rZQmO20BSaw?si=ixsbvRdZ8-RCzy1V\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to creating a staple sound with West Oakland’s Stalin, The Mekanix have produced tracks for local stars like \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/philthyrichfod/?hl=en\">Philthy Rich\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/3rdworldlilblood/?hl=en\">Lil Blood\u003c/a>, as well as Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg. Their latest project \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/3hVMJZALxqruV9EeyERQ8W\">Under The Hood 2\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, which dropped earlier this year, features Keak Da Sneak, Nef The Pharaoh, Kamaiyah and E-40, in addition to Devin The Dude, Icewear Vezzo, Suga Free, Mozzy and Scarface. (Years after his dad banned Too Short’s music from Tweed’s childhood home, the album also has — you guessed it — Too Short.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s this mix of names, nationally known artists and local hood legends alike, that exemplifies The Mekanix.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s intentional,” says Tweed. “We want to put together dope collaborations that haven’t been done before,” he says, “and we just want to keep making it better and better, and bigger and bigger.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That urgency is rooted in something that happened in 2019. Their most recent project, a follow-up to their 2016 album \u003cem>Under the Hood\u003c/em>, almost didn’t happen at all.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Everything got blurry’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everything that went on with me,” 4rAx reflects, “they can’t even find it in my body no more. It was fucking the weirdest shit ever, bro.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2019 4rAx found himself experiencing headaches and dizziness. Six months of doctor’s visits and lab tests yielded no results. “Then,” he says, “one day I was watching TV and my eyes… everything got blurry.” At the emergency room, medics found an immense amount of pressure on his brain. He wound up getting surgery — if he hadn’t, doctors told him, there was a chance he would have gone blind.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The following year, as COVID-19 spread across the globe and 4rAx was reeling from his medical condition, Kenny Tweed’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Soon after, in spring of 2021, 4rAx’s mentor from Digital Underground \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13896256/digital-undergrounds-shock-g-an-oakland-hip-hop-icon-dies-at-57\">Shock G passed\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"638\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg\" alt=\"Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta. Shock G died Thursday at age 57.\" class=\"wp-image-13896258\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-800x500.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A dark cloud fell over the production duo, recalls 4rAx. Then his immune system was compromised, and things only got worse. “I had to be intubated,” says 4rAx, who was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He spent 26 days in a coma. When he emerged, he learned that Tweed’s father had succumbed to cancer. 4rAx left the hospital in shambles. “I lost all my muscle mass,” he recalls. “I couldn’t walk, so I’m on a walker, plus a breathing apparatus.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Worst of all, he says, is that through the whole ordeal, he never got a conclusive answer as to what caused his initial ailment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s 2026, and now I barely have any doctor appointments,” says 4rAx. “I’m not on any medicine. But they don’t know what the fuck happened, bro. And it doesn’t sit well with me because it could happen again.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep showing up \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>4rAx credits his workout routine for still being alive today, plus his belief in “staying ready before you have to get ready.” Both 4rAx and Tweed are brawny guys with regular workout schedules. Their devotion to health, making music and supporting the culture is almost spiritual.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"One man in a red shirt stands in the foreground while a man in a black shirt stands in the distance. \" class=\"wp-image-13991417\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny Tweed and 4rAx of The Mekanix in front of their East Oakland studio. (Pendarvis Harshaw)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was a Christian Youth Fellowship president,” 4rAx says with a laugh, noting that it didn’t last long. Kenny Tweed adds that his father was also “heavy into The Word.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whatever seeds were sown in those early years, both producers took the morality of scripture and applied it to what they’re doing with music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Giving praise to the powers that be, 4rAx says, “It’s a bigger play going on that we have no idea about. … You just got to keep showing up, and trying to be your best self in the moment, so that eventually it grows and becomes exactly what it’s supposed to be.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The duo are currently at work on a documentary about the rich lineage of music producers from the Bay, in which they’ll be included. In addition to making more music, selling merch and beat kits, they’re also keen on teaching and mentoring the Bay Area’s next generation of music makers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m gonna go ahead and say it,” declares 4rAx, tipping his hand and showing the production duo’s cards. “One of our next projects is called \u003cem>Alignment\u003c/em>,” he says, noting how much of his life has been kismet. “I can’t make this shit up.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The computer screen displays photos of rap luminaries. On a nearby wall hang news articles, vinyl records and memorabilia from the likes of Shock G and Tupac Shakur.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The computer screen displays photos of rap luminaries. On a nearby wall hang news articles, vinyl records and memorabilia from the likes of Shock G and Tupac Shakur.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This is the East Oakland studio of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kennytweedofthemekanix/?hl=en\">Kenny Tweed \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/4rax_of_themekanix/?hl=en\">4Rax\u003c/a>, who during a recent visit sat in office chairs around a large, custom-made rug bearing the name of their production duo: \u003ca href=\"https://www.themekanix.com/\">The Mekanix\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This is the East Oakland studio of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kennytweedofthemekanix/?hl=en\">Kenny Tweed \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/4rax_of_themekanix/?hl=en\">4Rax\u003c/a>, who during a recent visit sat in office chairs around a large, custom-made rug bearing the name of their production duo: \u003ca href=\"https://www.themekanix.com/\">The Mekanix\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It may seem like a humble setting for such an influential duo. For more than 20 years, The Mekanix have made blap after blap after blap, casting their name into the debate over the most prolific production team from the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It may seem like a humble setting for such an influential duo. For more than 20 years, The Mekanix have made blap after blap after blap, casting their name into the debate over the most prolific production team from the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Summarizing their winning formula, 4rAx says, simply, “Everything is about alignment.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Summarizing their winning formula, 4rAx says, simply, “Everything is about alignment.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991415,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Pendarvis Harshaw",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Two men pose for a photo while sitting on bar stools in a music studio.\" class=\"wp-image-13991415\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With more than 20 years of production credits to their name, The Mekanix are one of the most prolific production duos to ever come from the Bay Area.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Two men pose for a photo while sitting on bar stools in a music studio.\" class=\"wp-image-13991415\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With more than 20 years of production credits to their name, The Mekanix are one of the most prolific production duos to ever come from the Bay Area.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Throughout their career, despite health concerns, technological shifts and the ups-and-downs of the music industry, The Mekanix have maintained their sound and honed their craft. Driven by an ambition to see the Bay properly represented, they consistently show what can be done with the bare essentials of 808s and willpower.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Throughout their career, despite health concerns, technological shifts and the ups-and-downs of the music industry, The Mekanix have maintained their sound and honed their craft. Driven by an ambition to see the Bay properly represented, they consistently show what can be done with the bare essentials of 808s and willpower.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’ve been together for more than 20 years,” says 4rAx, laughing as he adds that such a milestone is rare for people in “regular relationships,” he says, “let alone business.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’ve been together for more than 20 years,” says 4rAx, laughing as he adds that such a milestone is rare for people in “regular relationships,” he says, “let alone business.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Mentored by the best",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mentored by the best\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mentored by the best\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tweed and 4rax may have come into the game from different angles, but they complimented one another immediately.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Tweed and 4rax may have come into the game from different angles, but they complimented one another immediately.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tweed is the son of jazz musician Kenny “Big Kenny” Tullis. A multitalented instrumentalist who focused mainly on the saxophone, he would gig around the Bay, and even did shows with Tower of Power. “He instilled music in me,” says Tweed of his father, who encouraged him to play the drums, piano and trumpet.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Tweed is the son of jazz musician Kenny “Big Kenny” Tullis. A multitalented instrumentalist who focused mainly on the saxophone, he would gig around the Bay, and even did shows with Tower of Power. “He instilled music in me,” says Tweed of his father, who encouraged him to play the drums, piano and trumpet.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tweed was also childhood friends with Keak Da Sneak, and gravitated toward hip-hop. Spice 1 and RBL Posse spoke to his heart, but it was Too Short who really left his mark — until one day, when Tweed forgot to take a Short tape out of his dad’s cassette player.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Tweed was also childhood friends with Keak Da Sneak, and gravitated toward hip-hop. Spice 1 and RBL Posse spoke to his heart, but it was Too Short who really left his mark — until one day, when Tweed forgot to take a Short tape out of his dad’s cassette player.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“[Pops] fully supported me in being a musician,” says Tweed, “but he just didn’t want that playing in his house.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“[Pops] fully supported me in being a musician,” says Tweed, “but he just didn’t want that playing in his house.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/embed",
"attrs": {
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU5vM4VSB3A",
"type": "video",
"providerNameSlug": "youtube",
"responsive": true,
"className": "wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU5vM4VSB3A\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU5vM4VSB3A\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Years later, Tweed’s residence would become a hit factory.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Years later, Tweed’s residence would become a hit factory.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you pulled up to High Street and Fairfax,” 4rAx says of Kenny’s home studio, “you would’ve thought somebody was out there selling bricks.” There were all kinds of cars and walks of life, a who’s-who of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, he says.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“If you pulled up to High Street and Fairfax,” 4rAx says of Kenny’s home studio, “you would’ve thought somebody was out there selling bricks.” There were all kinds of cars and walks of life, a who’s-who of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, he says.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When me and Tweed hooked up,” 4rAx reflects, “I had the door open to the industry through Shock G and Money B,” the two Digital Underground founders he refers to as “ambassadors of hip-hop.” 4rAx, who came from a family of auto mechanics in Chicago, fell in love with hip-hop before moving to the Bay as a young teen.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“When me and Tweed hooked up,” 4rAx reflects, “I had the door open to the industry through Shock G and Money B,” the two Digital Underground founders he refers to as “ambassadors of hip-hop.” 4rAx, who came from a family of auto mechanics in Chicago, fell in love with hip-hop before moving to the Bay as a young teen.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Once he touched the soil, he explored every aspect of the culture. A visual artist and barber, he was also part of a duo named Funky From Birth. They soon crossed paths fellow dance duo Razzle Dazzle (who’d appeared in Digital Underground’s “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsjggc5jHM\">Humpty Dance\u003c/a>” video), and 4rAx became a backup dancer for the late actor, rapper and former Digital Underground member \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13968340/saafir-dead-oakland-rapper-dies-at-54\">Saafir\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Once he touched the soil, he explored every aspect of the culture. A visual artist and barber, he was also part of a duo named Funky From Birth. They soon crossed paths fellow dance duo Razzle Dazzle (who’d appeared in Digital Underground’s “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsjggc5jHM\">Humpty Dance\u003c/a>” video), and 4rAx became a backup dancer for the late actor, rapper and former Digital Underground member \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13968340/saafir-dead-oakland-rapper-dies-at-54\">Saafir\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Around the same time, 4rax befriended the late East Oakland rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQbRZIVAxuc\">Plan B\u003c/a> and legendary graffiti artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/10141391/dream-but-dont-sleep-remembering-mike-dream-francisco\">Mike “Dream” Francisco\u003c/a>. They’d all hang out at the Shirtique store in the Hilltop Mall, where Dream airbrushed shirts. And “once or twice,” 4rAx recalls, “they had me DJ a backyard party for them, off cassettes.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Around the same time, 4rax befriended the late East Oakland rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQbRZIVAxuc\">Plan B\u003c/a> and legendary graffiti artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/10141391/dream-but-dont-sleep-remembering-mike-dream-francisco\">Mike “Dream” Francisco\u003c/a>. They’d all hang out at the Shirtique store in the Hilltop Mall, where Dream airbrushed shirts. And “once or twice,” 4rAx recalls, “they had me DJ a backyard party for them, off cassettes.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Matriculating through “the crazy labyrinth” that led to a career in music, 4rAx held tight to his ambition of becoming a DJ. Through Digital Underground, he was introduced to producers and audio equipment. “And now I’m around turntables,” he says, “and I’m nice!” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Matriculating through “the crazy labyrinth” that led to a career in music, 4rAx held tight to his ambition of becoming a DJ. Through Digital Underground, he was introduced to producers and audio equipment. “And now I’m around turntables,” he says, “and I’m nice!” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Sure enough, when D.U.’s \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Fuze\">DJ Fuze\u003c/a> took some time away from the crew, 4rAx stepped up.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Sure enough, when D.U.’s \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Fuze\">DJ Fuze\u003c/a> took some time away from the crew, 4rAx stepped up.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13918716,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Estefany Gonzalez for KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13918716\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">4rAx and Kenny Tweed of The Mekanix perform at Hiero Day on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13918716\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">4rAx and Kenny Tweed of The Mekanix perform at Hiero Day on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Linking with J. Stalin in the 2000s",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Linking with J. Stalin in the 2000s\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Linking with J. Stalin in the 2000s\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Kenny Tweed and 4rAx first combined forces at the turn of the millennium, working on a project for an artist named IRS and then later for the collective \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfzciL6b1bqjoRl8Sx0zhwWDSCXxpLO-\">Hittaz on the Payroll\u003c/a>. But it was the debut project for an artist from West Oakland that solidified them as a production duo.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Kenny Tweed and 4rAx first combined forces at the turn of the millennium, working on a project for an artist named IRS and then later for the collective \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfzciL6b1bqjoRl8Sx0zhwWDSCXxpLO-\">Hittaz on the Payroll\u003c/a>. But it was the debut project for an artist from West Oakland that solidified them as a production duo.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“One day,” says 4rAx, recalling a studio session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.thegrillstudios.com/\">The Grill Studios\u003c/a> in Emeryville, “we were mixing on some shit, and then \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/jstalinlivewire/?hl=en\">J. Stalin\u003c/a> came in and heard us playing some beats.” Young, brash, still one foot in the streets and fresh off of a record deal that had fallen through, Stalin started rapping. “We stopped the session,” 4rAx exclaims. They left the studio where they were mixing, went to a different studio and made the song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LccVrkvUrdE\">So Cold\u003c/a>,” the first track for Stalin’s standout 2006 project, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/4bTvgOTzn4bUumADOocbPp\">On Behalf of The Streets\u003c/a>\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“One day,” says 4rAx, recalling a studio session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.thegrillstudios.com/\">The Grill Studios\u003c/a> in Emeryville, “we were mixing on some shit, and then \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/jstalinlivewire/?hl=en\">J. Stalin\u003c/a> came in and heard us playing some beats.” Young, brash, still one foot in the streets and fresh off of a record deal that had fallen through, Stalin started rapping. “We stopped the session,” 4rAx exclaims. They left the studio where they were mixing, went to a different studio and made the song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LccVrkvUrdE\">So Cold\u003c/a>,” the first track for Stalin’s standout 2006 project, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/4bTvgOTzn4bUumADOocbPp\">On Behalf of The Streets\u003c/a>\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It was a Toys R Us commercial,” says 4rAx of Stalin’s innocent-sounding tone that masked malicious lyrics. “He turned it into some street shit.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It was a Toys R Us commercial,” says 4rAx of Stalin’s innocent-sounding tone that masked malicious lyrics. “He turned it into some street shit.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/embed",
"attrs": {
"url": "https://youtu.be/rZQmO20BSaw?si=ixsbvRdZ8-RCzy1V",
"type": "video",
"providerNameSlug": "youtube",
"responsive": true,
"className": "wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://youtu.be/rZQmO20BSaw?si=ixsbvRdZ8-RCzy1V\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://youtu.be/rZQmO20BSaw?si=ixsbvRdZ8-RCzy1V\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition to creating a staple sound with West Oakland’s Stalin, The Mekanix have produced tracks for local stars like \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/philthyrichfod/?hl=en\">Philthy Rich\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/3rdworldlilblood/?hl=en\">Lil Blood\u003c/a>, as well as Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg. Their latest project \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/3hVMJZALxqruV9EeyERQ8W\">Under The Hood 2\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, which dropped earlier this year, features Keak Da Sneak, Nef The Pharaoh, Kamaiyah and E-40, in addition to Devin The Dude, Icewear Vezzo, Suga Free, Mozzy and Scarface. (Years after his dad banned Too Short’s music from Tweed’s childhood home, the album also has — you guessed it — Too Short.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition to creating a staple sound with West Oakland’s Stalin, The Mekanix have produced tracks for local stars like \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/philthyrichfod/?hl=en\">Philthy Rich\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/3rdworldlilblood/?hl=en\">Lil Blood\u003c/a>, as well as Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg. Their latest project \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/3hVMJZALxqruV9EeyERQ8W\">Under The Hood 2\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, which dropped earlier this year, features Keak Da Sneak, Nef The Pharaoh, Kamaiyah and E-40, in addition to Devin The Dude, Icewear Vezzo, Suga Free, Mozzy and Scarface. (Years after his dad banned Too Short’s music from Tweed’s childhood home, the album also has — you guessed it — Too Short.)\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s this mix of names, nationally known artists and local hood legends alike, that exemplifies The Mekanix.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It’s this mix of names, nationally known artists and local hood legends alike, that exemplifies The Mekanix.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s intentional,” says Tweed. “We want to put together dope collaborations that haven’t been done before,” he says, “and we just want to keep making it better and better, and bigger and bigger.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s intentional,” says Tweed. “We want to put together dope collaborations that haven’t been done before,” he says, “and we just want to keep making it better and better, and bigger and bigger.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That urgency is rooted in something that happened in 2019. Their most recent project, a follow-up to their 2016 album \u003cem>Under the Hood\u003c/em>, almost didn’t happen at all.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That urgency is rooted in something that happened in 2019. Their most recent project, a follow-up to their 2016 album \u003cem>Under the Hood\u003c/em>, almost didn’t happen at all.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "‘Everything got blurry’",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Everything got blurry’\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Everything got blurry’\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Everything that went on with me,” 4rAx reflects, “they can’t even find it in my body no more. It was fucking the weirdest shit ever, bro.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Everything that went on with me,” 4rAx reflects, “they can’t even find it in my body no more. It was fucking the weirdest shit ever, bro.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2019 4rAx found himself experiencing headaches and dizziness. Six months of doctor’s visits and lab tests yielded no results. “Then,” he says, “one day I was watching TV and my eyes… everything got blurry.” At the emergency room, medics found an immense amount of pressure on his brain. He wound up getting surgery — if he hadn’t, doctors told him, there was a chance he would have gone blind.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2019 4rAx found himself experiencing headaches and dizziness. Six months of doctor’s visits and lab tests yielded no results. “Then,” he says, “one day I was watching TV and my eyes… everything got blurry.” At the emergency room, medics found an immense amount of pressure on his brain. He wound up getting surgery — if he hadn’t, doctors told him, there was a chance he would have gone blind.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The following year, as COVID-19 spread across the globe and 4rAx was reeling from his medical condition, Kenny Tweed’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Soon after, in spring of 2021, 4rAx’s mentor from Digital Underground \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13896256/digital-undergrounds-shock-g-an-oakland-hip-hop-icon-dies-at-57\">Shock G passed\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The following year, as COVID-19 spread across the globe and 4rAx was reeling from his medical condition, Kenny Tweed’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Soon after, in spring of 2021, 4rAx’s mentor from Digital Underground \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13896256/digital-undergrounds-shock-g-an-oakland-hip-hop-icon-dies-at-57\">Shock G passed\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13896258,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Taylor Hill/Getty Images",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-800x500.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg\" alt=\"Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta. Shock G died Thursday at age 57.\" class=\"wp-image-13896258\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-800x500.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg\" alt=\"Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta. Shock G died Thursday at age 57.\" class=\"wp-image-13896258\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A dark cloud fell over the production duo, recalls 4rAx. Then his immune system was compromised, and things only got worse. “I had to be intubated,” says 4rAx, who was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A dark cloud fell over the production duo, recalls 4rAx. Then his immune system was compromised, and things only got worse. “I had to be intubated,” says 4rAx, who was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He spent 26 days in a coma. When he emerged, he learned that Tweed’s father had succumbed to cancer. 4rAx left the hospital in shambles. “I lost all my muscle mass,” he recalls. “I couldn’t walk, so I’m on a walker, plus a breathing apparatus.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Worst of all, he says, is that through the whole ordeal, he never got a conclusive answer as to what caused his initial ailment.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He spent 26 days in a coma. When he emerged, he learned that Tweed’s father had succumbed to cancer. 4rAx left the hospital in shambles. “I lost all my muscle mass,” he recalls. “I couldn’t walk, so I’m on a walker, plus a breathing apparatus.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Worst of all, he says, is that through the whole ordeal, he never got a conclusive answer as to what caused his initial ailment.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s 2026, and now I barely have any doctor appointments,” says 4rAx. “I’m not on any medicine. But they don’t know what the fuck happened, bro. And it doesn’t sit well with me because it could happen again.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s 2026, and now I barely have any doctor appointments,” says 4rAx. “I’m not on any medicine. But they don’t know what the fuck happened, bro. And it doesn’t sit well with me because it could happen again.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Keep showing up",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep showing up \u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep showing up \u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>4rAx credits his workout routine for still being alive today, plus his belief in “staying ready before you have to get ready.” Both 4rAx and Tweed are brawny guys with regular workout schedules. Their devotion to health, making music and supporting the culture is almost spiritual.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>4rAx credits his workout routine for still being alive today, plus his belief in “staying ready before you have to get ready.” Both 4rAx and Tweed are brawny guys with regular workout schedules. Their devotion to health, making music and supporting the culture is almost spiritual.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991417,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Pendarvis Harshaw",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"One man in a red shirt stands in the foreground while a man in a black shirt stands in the distance. \" class=\"wp-image-13991417\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny Tweed and 4rAx of The Mekanix in front of their East Oakland studio. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"One man in a red shirt stands in the foreground while a man in a black shirt stands in the distance. \" class=\"wp-image-13991417\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny Tweed and 4rAx of The Mekanix in front of their East Oakland studio. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I was a Christian Youth Fellowship president,” 4rAx says with a laugh, noting that it didn’t last long. Kenny Tweed adds that his father was also “heavy into The Word.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I was a Christian Youth Fellowship president,” 4rAx says with a laugh, noting that it didn’t last long. Kenny Tweed adds that his father was also “heavy into The Word.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Whatever seeds were sown in those early years, both producers took the morality of scripture and applied it to what they’re doing with music.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Whatever seeds were sown in those early years, both producers took the morality of scripture and applied it to what they’re doing with music.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Giving praise to the powers that be, 4rAx says, “It’s a bigger play going on that we have no idea about. … You just got to keep showing up, and trying to be your best self in the moment, so that eventually it grows and becomes exactly what it’s supposed to be.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Giving praise to the powers that be, 4rAx says, “It’s a bigger play going on that we have no idea about. … You just got to keep showing up, and trying to be your best self in the moment, so that eventually it grows and becomes exactly what it’s supposed to be.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The duo are currently at work on a documentary about the rich lineage of music producers from the Bay, in which they’ll be included. In addition to making more music, selling merch and beat kits, they’re also keen on teaching and mentoring the Bay Area’s next generation of music makers.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The duo are currently at work on a documentary about the rich lineage of music producers from the Bay, in which they’ll be included. In addition to making more music, selling merch and beat kits, they’re also keen on teaching and mentoring the Bay Area’s next generation of music makers.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’m gonna go ahead and say it,” declares 4rAx, tipping his hand and showing the production duo’s cards. “One of our next projects is called \u003cem>Alignment\u003c/em>,” he says, noting how much of his life has been kismet. “I can’t make this shit up.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I’m gonna go ahead and say it,” declares 4rAx, tipping his hand and showing the production duo’s cards. “One of our next projects is called \u003cem>Alignment\u003c/em>,” he says, noting how much of his life has been kismet. “I can’t make this shit up.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "For 20 years, the Oakland production duo has helped define the sound of Bay Area rap — and they're not done yet.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1783612589,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 38,
"wordCount": 1797
},
"headData": {
"title": "The Mekanix and 20 Years of Bay Area Blaps | KQED",
"description": "For 20 years, the Oakland production duo has helped define the sound of Bay Area rap — and they're not done yet.",
"ogTitle": "After 20 Years of Blaps, The Mekanix Are Still Driven by Alignment and Willpower",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "After 20 Years of Blaps, The Mekanix Are Still Driven by Alignment and Willpower",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "The Mekanix and 20 Years of Bay Area Blaps %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "After 20 Years of Blaps, The Mekanix Thrive on Willpower and Alignment",
"datePublished": "2026-07-08T17:32:45-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-09T08:56:29-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991183",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991183/the-mekanix-oakland-rap-hip-hop-production-bay-area",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The computer screen displays photos of rap luminaries. On a nearby wall hang news articles, vinyl records and memorabilia from the likes of Shock G and Tupac Shakur.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This is the East Oakland studio of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kennytweedofthemekanix/?hl=en\">Kenny Tweed \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/4rax_of_themekanix/?hl=en\">4Rax\u003c/a>, who during a recent visit sat in office chairs around a large, custom-made rug bearing the name of their production duo: \u003ca href=\"https://www.themekanix.com/\">The Mekanix\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It may seem like a humble setting for such an influential duo. For more than 20 years, The Mekanix have made blap after blap after blap, casting their name into the debate over the most prolific production team from the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Summarizing their winning formula, 4rAx says, simply, “Everything is about alignment.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Two men pose for a photo while sitting on bar stools in a music studio.\" class=\"wp-image-13991415\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2164-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With more than 20 years of production credits to their name, The Mekanix are one of the most prolific production duos to ever come from the Bay Area. (Pendarvis Harshaw)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Throughout their career, despite health concerns, technological shifts and the ups-and-downs of the music industry, The Mekanix have maintained their sound and honed their craft. Driven by an ambition to see the Bay properly represented, they consistently show what can be done with the bare essentials of 808s and willpower.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve been together for more than 20 years,” says 4rAx, laughing as he adds that such a milestone is rare for people in “regular relationships,” he says, “let alone business.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mentored by the best\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tweed and 4rax may have come into the game from different angles, but they complimented one another immediately.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tweed is the son of jazz musician Kenny “Big Kenny” Tullis. A multitalented instrumentalist who focused mainly on the saxophone, he would gig around the Bay, and even did shows with Tower of Power. “He instilled music in me,” says Tweed of his father, who encouraged him to play the drums, piano and trumpet.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tweed was also childhood friends with Keak Da Sneak, and gravitated toward hip-hop. Spice 1 and RBL Posse spoke to his heart, but it was Too Short who really left his mark — until one day, when Tweed forgot to take a Short tape out of his dad’s cassette player.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[Pops] fully supported me in being a musician,” says Tweed, “but he just didn’t want that playing in his house.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/YU5vM4VSB3A'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/YU5vM4VSB3A'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Years later, Tweed’s residence would become a hit factory.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you pulled up to High Street and Fairfax,” 4rAx says of Kenny’s home studio, “you would’ve thought somebody was out there selling bricks.” There were all kinds of cars and walks of life, a who’s-who of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, he says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When me and Tweed hooked up,” 4rAx reflects, “I had the door open to the industry through Shock G and Money B,” the two Digital Underground founders he refers to as “ambassadors of hip-hop.” 4rAx, who came from a family of auto mechanics in Chicago, fell in love with hip-hop before moving to the Bay as a young teen.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Once he touched the soil, he explored every aspect of the culture. A visual artist and barber, he was also part of a duo named Funky From Birth. They soon crossed paths fellow dance duo Razzle Dazzle (who’d appeared in Digital Underground’s “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsjggc5jHM\">Humpty Dance\u003c/a>” video), and 4rAx became a backup dancer for the late actor, rapper and former Digital Underground member \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13968340/saafir-dead-oakland-rapper-dies-at-54\">Saafir\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time, 4rax befriended the late East Oakland rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQbRZIVAxuc\">Plan B\u003c/a> and legendary graffiti artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/10141391/dream-but-dont-sleep-remembering-mike-dream-francisco\">Mike “Dream” Francisco\u003c/a>. They’d all hang out at the Shirtique store in the Hilltop Mall, where Dream airbrushed shirts. And “once or twice,” 4rAx recalls, “they had me DJ a backyard party for them, off cassettes.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Matriculating through “the crazy labyrinth” that led to a career in music, 4rAx held tight to his ambition of becoming a DJ. Through Digital Underground, he was introduced to producers and audio equipment. “And now I’m around turntables,” he says, “and I’m nice!” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Sure enough, when D.U.’s \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Fuze\">DJ Fuze\u003c/a> took some time away from the crew, 4rAx stepped up.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13918716\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Mekanix-perform-at-Hiero-Day-on-Monday-Sept.-6-2022.-001-Estefany-Gonzalez.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">4rAx and Kenny Tweed of The Mekanix perform at Hiero Day on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Linking with J. Stalin in the 2000s\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kenny Tweed and 4rAx first combined forces at the turn of the millennium, working on a project for an artist named IRS and then later for the collective \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKfzciL6b1bqjoRl8Sx0zhwWDSCXxpLO-\">Hittaz on the Payroll\u003c/a>. But it was the debut project for an artist from West Oakland that solidified them as a production duo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“One day,” says 4rAx, recalling a studio session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.thegrillstudios.com/\">The Grill Studios\u003c/a> in Emeryville, “we were mixing on some shit, and then \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/jstalinlivewire/?hl=en\">J. Stalin\u003c/a> came in and heard us playing some beats.” Young, brash, still one foot in the streets and fresh off of a record deal that had fallen through, Stalin started rapping. “We stopped the session,” 4rAx exclaims. They left the studio where they were mixing, went to a different studio and made the song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LccVrkvUrdE\">So Cold\u003c/a>,” the first track for Stalin’s standout 2006 project, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/4bTvgOTzn4bUumADOocbPp\">On Behalf of The Streets\u003c/a>\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was a Toys R Us commercial,” says 4rAx of Stalin’s innocent-sounding tone that masked malicious lyrics. “He turned it into some street shit.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/rZQmO20BSaw'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/rZQmO20BSaw'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to creating a staple sound with West Oakland’s Stalin, The Mekanix have produced tracks for local stars like \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/philthyrichfod/?hl=en\">Philthy Rich\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/3rdworldlilblood/?hl=en\">Lil Blood\u003c/a>, as well as Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg. Their latest project \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/3hVMJZALxqruV9EeyERQ8W\">Under The Hood 2\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, which dropped earlier this year, features Keak Da Sneak, Nef The Pharaoh, Kamaiyah and E-40, in addition to Devin The Dude, Icewear Vezzo, Suga Free, Mozzy and Scarface. (Years after his dad banned Too Short’s music from Tweed’s childhood home, the album also has — you guessed it — Too Short.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s this mix of names, nationally known artists and local hood legends alike, that exemplifies The Mekanix.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s intentional,” says Tweed. “We want to put together dope collaborations that haven’t been done before,” he says, “and we just want to keep making it better and better, and bigger and bigger.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That urgency is rooted in something that happened in 2019. Their most recent project, a follow-up to their 2016 album \u003cem>Under the Hood\u003c/em>, almost didn’t happen at all.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Everything got blurry’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everything that went on with me,” 4rAx reflects, “they can’t even find it in my body no more. It was fucking the weirdest shit ever, bro.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2019 4rAx found himself experiencing headaches and dizziness. Six months of doctor’s visits and lab tests yielded no results. “Then,” he says, “one day I was watching TV and my eyes… everything got blurry.” At the emergency room, medics found an immense amount of pressure on his brain. He wound up getting surgery — if he hadn’t, doctors told him, there was a chance he would have gone blind.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The following year, as COVID-19 spread across the globe and 4rAx was reeling from his medical condition, Kenny Tweed’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Soon after, in spring of 2021, 4rAx’s mentor from Digital Underground \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13896256/digital-undergrounds-shock-g-an-oakland-hip-hop-icon-dies-at-57\">Shock G passed\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"638\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg\" alt=\"Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta. Shock G died Thursday at age 57.\" class=\"wp-image-13896258\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1020x638.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-800x500.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/ShockG.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shock G of Digital Underground performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2010 in Atlanta. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A dark cloud fell over the production duo, recalls 4rAx. Then his immune system was compromised, and things only got worse. “I had to be intubated,” says 4rAx, who was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He spent 26 days in a coma. When he emerged, he learned that Tweed’s father had succumbed to cancer. 4rAx left the hospital in shambles. “I lost all my muscle mass,” he recalls. “I couldn’t walk, so I’m on a walker, plus a breathing apparatus.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Worst of all, he says, is that through the whole ordeal, he never got a conclusive answer as to what caused his initial ailment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s 2026, and now I barely have any doctor appointments,” says 4rAx. “I’m not on any medicine. But they don’t know what the fuck happened, bro. And it doesn’t sit well with me because it could happen again.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep showing up \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>4rAx credits his workout routine for still being alive today, plus his belief in “staying ready before you have to get ready.” Both 4rAx and Tweed are brawny guys with regular workout schedules. Their devotion to health, making music and supporting the culture is almost spiritual.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"One man in a red shirt stands in the foreground while a man in a black shirt stands in the distance. \" class=\"wp-image-13991417\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-160x213.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/IMG_2181-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny Tweed and 4rAx of The Mekanix in front of their East Oakland studio. (Pendarvis Harshaw)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was a Christian Youth Fellowship president,” 4rAx says with a laugh, noting that it didn’t last long. Kenny Tweed adds that his father was also “heavy into The Word.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whatever seeds were sown in those early years, both producers took the morality of scripture and applied it to what they’re doing with music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Giving praise to the powers that be, 4rAx says, “It’s a bigger play going on that we have no idea about. … You just got to keep showing up, and trying to be your best self in the moment, so that eventually it grows and becomes exactly what it’s supposed to be.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The duo are currently at work on a documentary about the rich lineage of music producers from the Bay, in which they’ll be included. In addition to making more music, selling merch and beat kits, they’re also keen on teaching and mentoring the Bay Area’s next generation of music makers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m gonna go ahead and say it,” declares 4rAx, tipping his hand and showing the production duo’s cards. “One of our next projects is called \u003cem>Alignment\u003c/em>,” he says, noting how much of his life has been kismet. “I can’t make this shit up.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991183/the-mekanix-oakland-rap-hip-hop-production-bay-area",
"authors": [
"11491"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69"
],
"tags": [
"arts_8505",
"arts_10278",
"arts_6975",
"arts_1143",
"arts_22382",
"arts_19347"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991464",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13991309": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991309",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991309",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1783360162000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "san-jose-jazz-christian-vela-artistic-director-summer-fest",
"title": "In Full-Circle Moment, Christian Vela Is Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz",
"publishDate": 1783360162,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "In Full-Circle Moment, Christian Vela Is Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>As a freewheeling kid growing up in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose\">East San Jose\u003c/a> in the late 1990s, Christian Vela anticipated each San Jose Jazz Festival with a mounting excitement that he can still recall vividly.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was the feeling you get the last day of school, or right before Christmas, then I’d get on my bike and ride down to the festival,” he recalls, still sounding amazed at seeing musicians he loved on the same downtown plaza stage where he’d skateboard. “One year, I ended up getting backstage and took a photo with Poncho Sanchez, who was a hero of mine. I couldn’t believe it!”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/8SM3Cqm9xL0?si=kHiiK7v2lH323QWe\">today’s announcement\u003c/a> that Vela will take over as artistic director of that very same festival — now known as \u003ca href=\"https://summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2085391436&gbraid=0AAAAAD_iJiL4JfAucAzI0YPHHUZqS8UDV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3qLSBhDaARIsAFTiVh6rdHAuzfgsaXmd_1I1VarYYWt5M2bCDGwE3cNUQIWhS_t4ds-gRwsaAvNOEALw_wcB\">Summer Fest\u003c/a>, which from Aug. 7–9 brings dozens of jazz, blues, R&B, Latin and soul acts to downtown San José — he’s made a full-circle journey back to the organization that shaped his love of music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Vela’s already made an impact since taking over as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose-jazz\">San Jose Jazz\u003c/a>’s production manager in 2024, and his appointment last year as associate artistic director. He steps into the lead curator role in September, filling the big shoes of Bruce Labadie, the pervasively influential South Bay music programmer who’s booked Summer Fest since its inception in 1990.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1339\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg\" alt=\"A white man in a mustache and colorful sweatshirt poses against a wood paneled wall with a striking Black woman in a tan suit jacket and decorative rings.\" class=\"wp-image-13991321\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-1536x1028.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Jose Jazz founder Bruce Labadie, at right, with singer Nancy Wilson in 1986. (Courtesy San Jose Jazz)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At 45, Vela brings a wealth of experience to the position — and not just from riding his bike to the festival each year as a teenager. He served as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/sfjazz\">SFJAZZ\u003c/a>’s senior production manager for 11 years, from 2013-2024, followed by a year-long stint as COO of the Presidio Theatre. After coming back home, he’s spent the past two years under Labadie’s wing at San Jose Jazz.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Christian knows how to work with artists,” says Labadie, whose half-century career encompasses booking three dozen venues and festivals across the state, including last summer’s Monterey Jazz Festival. “He’s involved in all kinds of other things that San Jose Jazz is doing, like the Break Room, but Summer Fest is a different level. I cautioned him, it’s non-stop work.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Judging by his track record at the Break Room, an intimate venue that San Jose Jazz opened during the pandemic, Vela has already brought in a trove of new ideas. A self-described vinylphile, he added artist residencies into the Break Room mix, which includes taking musicians record hunting before they spin albums and discuss their formative influences for an audience.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991322\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-160x128.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-768x614.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-1536x1229.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Vela, at left, with the Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. (Courtesy San Jose Jazz)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s actually very selfish, bringing together all the things that I like,” Vela says. “My partner and I are into vinyl — she spins as DJ Weekend Girl — and I wanted to think of a unique way to introduce a vinyl night.” Another idea of Vela’s was having the resident artist join an all-ages jam session that takes place on \u003ca href=\"https://www.southfirstfridays.com/\">First Fridays\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of four children born in San José to parents from Ciudad Juárez, Vela got his start as a musician playing guitar in church. When a group of friends at Independence High School gained traction with the ska band Firme, he became their tour manager. As the keeper of the band’s van, he ended up providing transportation for Manu Chao, and struck up a friendship with the polyglot French-Spanish star.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around 2011, Manu Chao’s people dropped his name to the Malian couple Amadou and Mariam, who at the time were seeking a tour manager. Despite speaking rudimentary French, Vela jumped into the role.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I did my homework on the instruments, learning how to set them up and mic them, and did my part in trying to learn French, taking courses on my phone,” Vela says. “I think they saw the effort I put forth, and I toured with them for almost three years.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He was ready to come off the road and spend some time at home when Amadou and Mariam concluded a long tour with an SFJAZZ performance at Davies Symphony Hall in 2013. “I’m like a roadrunner all over the place, and the SFJAZZ production manager on stage was watching me,” recalls Vela, who ended up signing on with the recently opened SFJAZZ Center. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1411\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991323\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg 1411w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-160x227.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-768x1089.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-1084x1536.jpg 1084w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1411px) 100vw, 1411px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saxophonist Kamasi Washington performs as part of Summer Fest in downtown San José. (Grason Littles)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If he was helping forge a new venue identity at SFJAZZ, he’s taking on a very different role at San Jose Jazz, which for decades has maintained one of the West Coast’s premiere festivals by building upon San José’s downtown resources, like the Tech Museum, Montgomery Theater and expansive plaza.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s one of my favorite festivals, and an advantage Christian has is that Bruce Labadie has given him a runway,” says bassist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/marcus-shelby\">Marcus Shelby\u003c/a> — who, as the artistic director of Healdsburg Jazz since 2020, knows all about taking over programming from a festival’s founder.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s the perfect opportunity and situation for him,” Shelby adds. “He’s someone who loves and knows the heartbeat of the city.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a freewheeling kid growing up in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose\">East San Jose\u003c/a> in the late 1990s, Christian Vela anticipated each San Jose Jazz Festival with a mounting excitement that he can still recall vividly.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As a freewheeling kid growing up in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose\">East San Jose\u003c/a> in the late 1990s, Christian Vela anticipated each San Jose Jazz Festival with a mounting excitement that he can still recall vividly.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It was the feeling you get the last day of school, or right before Christmas, then I’d get on my bike and ride down to the festival,” he recalls, still sounding amazed at seeing musicians he loved on the same downtown plaza stage where he’d skateboard. “One year, I ended up getting backstage and took a photo with Poncho Sanchez, who was a hero of mine. I couldn’t believe it!”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It was the feeling you get the last day of school, or right before Christmas, then I’d get on my bike and ride down to the festival,” he recalls, still sounding amazed at seeing musicians he loved on the same downtown plaza stage where he’d skateboard. “One year, I ended up getting backstage and took a photo with Poncho Sanchez, who was a hero of mine. I couldn’t believe it!”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>With \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/8SM3Cqm9xL0?si=kHiiK7v2lH323QWe\">today’s announcement\u003c/a> that Vela will take over as artistic director of that very same festival — now known as \u003ca href=\"https://summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2085391436&gbraid=0AAAAAD_iJiL4JfAucAzI0YPHHUZqS8UDV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3qLSBhDaARIsAFTiVh6rdHAuzfgsaXmd_1I1VarYYWt5M2bCDGwE3cNUQIWhS_t4ds-gRwsaAvNOEALw_wcB\">Summer Fest\u003c/a>, which from Aug. 7–9 brings dozens of jazz, blues, R&B, Latin and soul acts to downtown San José — he’s made a full-circle journey back to the organization that shaped his love of music.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>With \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/8SM3Cqm9xL0?si=kHiiK7v2lH323QWe\">today’s announcement\u003c/a> that Vela will take over as artistic director of that very same festival — now known as \u003ca href=\"https://summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2085391436&gbraid=0AAAAAD_iJiL4JfAucAzI0YPHHUZqS8UDV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3qLSBhDaARIsAFTiVh6rdHAuzfgsaXmd_1I1VarYYWt5M2bCDGwE3cNUQIWhS_t4ds-gRwsaAvNOEALw_wcB\">Summer Fest\u003c/a>, which from Aug. 7–9 brings dozens of jazz, blues, R&B, Latin and soul acts to downtown San José — he’s made a full-circle journey back to the organization that shaped his love of music.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Vela’s already made an impact since taking over as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose-jazz\">San Jose Jazz\u003c/a>’s production manager in 2024, and his appointment last year as associate artistic director. He steps into the lead curator role in September, filling the big shoes of Bruce Labadie, the pervasively influential South Bay music programmer who’s booked Summer Fest since its inception in 1990.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Vela’s already made an impact since taking over as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose-jazz\">San Jose Jazz\u003c/a>’s production manager in 2024, and his appointment last year as associate artistic director. He steps into the lead curator role in September, filling the big shoes of Bruce Labadie, the pervasively influential South Bay music programmer who’s booked Summer Fest since its inception in 1990.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991321,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Courtesy San Jose Jazz",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-1536x1028.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg\" alt=\"A white man in a mustache and colorful sweatshirt poses against a wood paneled wall with a striking Black woman in a tan suit jacket and decorative rings.\" class=\"wp-image-13991321\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-1536x1028.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Jose Jazz founder Bruce Labadie, at right, with singer Nancy Wilson in 1986. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg\" alt=\"A white man in a mustache and colorful sweatshirt poses against a wood paneled wall with a striking Black woman in a tan suit jacket and decorative rings.\" class=\"wp-image-13991321\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Jose Jazz founder Bruce Labadie, at right, with singer Nancy Wilson in 1986. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>At 45, Vela brings a wealth of experience to the position — and not just from riding his bike to the festival each year as a teenager. He served as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/sfjazz\">SFJAZZ\u003c/a>’s senior production manager for 11 years, from 2013-2024, followed by a year-long stint as COO of the Presidio Theatre. After coming back home, he’s spent the past two years under Labadie’s wing at San Jose Jazz.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>At 45, Vela brings a wealth of experience to the position — and not just from riding his bike to the festival each year as a teenager. He served as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/sfjazz\">SFJAZZ\u003c/a>’s senior production manager for 11 years, from 2013-2024, followed by a year-long stint as COO of the Presidio Theatre. After coming back home, he’s spent the past two years under Labadie’s wing at San Jose Jazz.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Christian knows how to work with artists,” says Labadie, whose half-century career encompasses booking three dozen venues and festivals across the state, including last summer’s Monterey Jazz Festival. “He’s involved in all kinds of other things that San Jose Jazz is doing, like the Break Room, but Summer Fest is a different level. I cautioned him, it’s non-stop work.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Christian knows how to work with artists,” says Labadie, whose half-century career encompasses booking three dozen venues and festivals across the state, including last summer’s Monterey Jazz Festival. “He’s involved in all kinds of other things that San Jose Jazz is doing, like the Break Room, but Summer Fest is a different level. I cautioned him, it’s non-stop work.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Judging by his track record at the Break Room, an intimate venue that San Jose Jazz opened during the pandemic, Vela has already brought in a trove of new ideas. A self-described vinylphile, he added artist residencies into the Break Room mix, which includes taking musicians record hunting before they spin albums and discuss their formative influences for an audience.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Judging by his track record at the Break Room, an intimate venue that San Jose Jazz opened during the pandemic, Vela has already brought in a trove of new ideas. A self-described vinylphile, he added artist residencies into the Break Room mix, which includes taking musicians record hunting before they spin albums and discuss their formative influences for an audience.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991322,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Courtesy San Jose Jazz",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-160x128.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-768x614.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-1536x1229.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991322\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-160x128.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-768x614.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-1536x1229.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Vela, at left, with the Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991322\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Vela, at left, with the Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s actually very selfish, bringing together all the things that I like,” Vela says. “My partner and I are into vinyl — she spins as DJ Weekend Girl — and I wanted to think of a unique way to introduce a vinyl night.” Another idea of Vela’s was having the resident artist join an all-ages jam session that takes place on \u003ca href=\"https://www.southfirstfridays.com/\">First Fridays\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s actually very selfish, bringing together all the things that I like,” Vela says. “My partner and I are into vinyl — she spins as DJ Weekend Girl — and I wanted to think of a unique way to introduce a vinyl night.” Another idea of Vela’s was having the resident artist join an all-ages jam session that takes place on \u003ca href=\"https://www.southfirstfridays.com/\">First Fridays\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One of four children born in San José to parents from Ciudad Juárez, Vela got his start as a musician playing guitar in church. When a group of friends at Independence High School gained traction with the ska band Firme, he became their tour manager. As the keeper of the band’s van, he ended up providing transportation for Manu Chao, and struck up a friendship with the polyglot French-Spanish star.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One of four children born in San José to parents from Ciudad Juárez, Vela got his start as a musician playing guitar in church. When a group of friends at Independence High School gained traction with the ska band Firme, he became their tour manager. As the keeper of the band’s van, he ended up providing transportation for Manu Chao, and struck up a friendship with the polyglot French-Spanish star.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_13990663"
],
"labelWasCleared": true,
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Around 2011, Manu Chao’s people dropped his name to the Malian couple Amadou and Mariam, who at the time were seeking a tour manager. Despite speaking rudimentary French, Vela jumped into the role.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Around 2011, Manu Chao’s people dropped his name to the Malian couple Amadou and Mariam, who at the time were seeking a tour manager. Despite speaking rudimentary French, Vela jumped into the role.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I did my homework on the instruments, learning how to set them up and mic them, and did my part in trying to learn French, taking courses on my phone,” Vela says. “I think they saw the effort I put forth, and I toured with them for almost three years.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I did my homework on the instruments, learning how to set them up and mic them, and did my part in trying to learn French, taking courses on my phone,” Vela says. “I think they saw the effort I put forth, and I toured with them for almost three years.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He was ready to come off the road and spend some time at home when Amadou and Mariam concluded a long tour with an SFJAZZ performance at Davies Symphony Hall in 2013. “I’m like a roadrunner all over the place, and the SFJAZZ production manager on stage was watching me,” recalls Vela, who ended up signing on with the recently opened SFJAZZ Center. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He was ready to come off the road and spend some time at home when Amadou and Mariam concluded a long tour with an SFJAZZ performance at Davies Symphony Hall in 2013. “I’m like a roadrunner all over the place, and the SFJAZZ production manager on stage was watching me,” recalls Vela, who ended up signing on with the recently opened SFJAZZ Center. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991323,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Grason Littles",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg 1411w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-160x227.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-768x1089.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-1084x1536.jpg 1084w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991323\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg 1411w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-160x227.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-768x1089.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-1084x1536.jpg 1084w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saxophonist Kamasi Washington performs as part of Summer Fest in downtown San José. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991323\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saxophonist Kamasi Washington performs as part of Summer Fest in downtown San José. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If he was helping forge a new venue identity at SFJAZZ, he’s taking on a very different role at San Jose Jazz, which for decades has maintained one of the West Coast’s premiere festivals by building upon San José’s downtown resources, like the Tech Museum, Montgomery Theater and expansive plaza.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If he was helping forge a new venue identity at SFJAZZ, he’s taking on a very different role at San Jose Jazz, which for decades has maintained one of the West Coast’s premiere festivals by building upon San José’s downtown resources, like the Tech Museum, Montgomery Theater and expansive plaza.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s one of my favorite festivals, and an advantage Christian has is that Bruce Labadie has given him a runway,” says bassist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/marcus-shelby\">Marcus Shelby\u003c/a> — who, as the artistic director of Healdsburg Jazz since 2020, knows all about taking over programming from a festival’s founder.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s one of my favorite festivals, and an advantage Christian has is that Bruce Labadie has given him a runway,” says bassist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/marcus-shelby\">Marcus Shelby\u003c/a> — who, as the artistic director of Healdsburg Jazz since 2020, knows all about taking over programming from a festival’s founder.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s the perfect opportunity and situation for him,” Shelby adds. “He’s someone who loves and knows the heartbeat of the city.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s the perfect opportunity and situation for him,” Shelby adds. “He’s someone who loves and knows the heartbeat of the city.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The kid who once rode his bike to the downtown jazz festival each year will now run the show.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1783360213,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 17,
"wordCount": 942
},
"headData": {
"title": "Christian Vela Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz | KQED",
"description": "The kid who once rode his bike to the downtown jazz festival each year will now run the show.",
"ogTitle": "In Full-Circle Moment, Christian Vela Is Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "In Full-Circle Moment, Christian Vela Is Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "Christian Vela Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "In Full-Circle Moment, Christian Vela Is Named Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz",
"datePublished": "2026-07-06T10:49:22-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-06T10:50:13-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991309",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991309/san-jose-jazz-christian-vela-artistic-director-summer-fest",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As a freewheeling kid growing up in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose\">East San Jose\u003c/a> in the late 1990s, Christian Vela anticipated each San Jose Jazz Festival with a mounting excitement that he can still recall vividly.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was the feeling you get the last day of school, or right before Christmas, then I’d get on my bike and ride down to the festival,” he recalls, still sounding amazed at seeing musicians he loved on the same downtown plaza stage where he’d skateboard. “One year, I ended up getting backstage and took a photo with Poncho Sanchez, who was a hero of mine. I couldn’t believe it!”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/8SM3Cqm9xL0?si=kHiiK7v2lH323QWe\">today’s announcement\u003c/a> that Vela will take over as artistic director of that very same festival — now known as \u003ca href=\"https://summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2085391436&gbraid=0AAAAAD_iJiL4JfAucAzI0YPHHUZqS8UDV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3qLSBhDaARIsAFTiVh6rdHAuzfgsaXmd_1I1VarYYWt5M2bCDGwE3cNUQIWhS_t4ds-gRwsaAvNOEALw_wcB\">Summer Fest\u003c/a>, which from Aug. 7–9 brings dozens of jazz, blues, R&B, Latin and soul acts to downtown San José — he’s made a full-circle journey back to the organization that shaped his love of music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Vela’s already made an impact since taking over as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-jose-jazz\">San Jose Jazz\u003c/a>’s production manager in 2024, and his appointment last year as associate artistic director. He steps into the lead curator role in September, filling the big shoes of Bruce Labadie, the pervasively influential South Bay music programmer who’s booked Summer Fest since its inception in 1990.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1339\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg\" alt=\"A white man in a mustache and colorful sweatshirt poses against a wood paneled wall with a striking Black woman in a tan suit jacket and decorative rings.\" class=\"wp-image-13991321\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/1986_Bruce_Labadie_with_Nancy_Wilson-1536x1028.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Jose Jazz founder Bruce Labadie, at right, with singer Nancy Wilson in 1986. (Courtesy San Jose Jazz)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At 45, Vela brings a wealth of experience to the position — and not just from riding his bike to the festival each year as a teenager. He served as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/sfjazz\">SFJAZZ\u003c/a>’s senior production manager for 11 years, from 2013-2024, followed by a year-long stint as COO of the Presidio Theatre. After coming back home, he’s spent the past two years under Labadie’s wing at San Jose Jazz.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Christian knows how to work with artists,” says Labadie, whose half-century career encompasses booking three dozen venues and festivals across the state, including last summer’s Monterey Jazz Festival. “He’s involved in all kinds of other things that San Jose Jazz is doing, like the Break Room, but Summer Fest is a different level. I cautioned him, it’s non-stop work.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Judging by his track record at the Break Room, an intimate venue that San Jose Jazz opened during the pandemic, Vela has already brought in a trove of new ideas. A self-described vinylphile, he added artist residencies into the Break Room mix, which includes taking musicians record hunting before they spin albums and discuss their formative influences for an audience.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991322\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-160x128.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-768x614.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Christian-and-Chucho-1-1536x1229.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Vela, at left, with the Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. (Courtesy San Jose Jazz)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s actually very selfish, bringing together all the things that I like,” Vela says. “My partner and I are into vinyl — she spins as DJ Weekend Girl — and I wanted to think of a unique way to introduce a vinyl night.” Another idea of Vela’s was having the resident artist join an all-ages jam session that takes place on \u003ca href=\"https://www.southfirstfridays.com/\">First Fridays\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of four children born in San José to parents from Ciudad Juárez, Vela got his start as a musician playing guitar in church. When a group of friends at Independence High School gained traction with the ska band Firme, he became their tour manager. As the keeper of the band’s van, he ended up providing transportation for Manu Chao, and struck up a friendship with the polyglot French-Spanish star.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around 2011, Manu Chao’s people dropped his name to the Malian couple Amadou and Mariam, who at the time were seeking a tour manager. Despite speaking rudimentary French, Vela jumped into the role.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I did my homework on the instruments, learning how to set them up and mic them, and did my part in trying to learn French, taking courses on my phone,” Vela says. “I think they saw the effort I put forth, and I toured with them for almost three years.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He was ready to come off the road and spend some time at home when Amadou and Mariam concluded a long tour with an SFJAZZ performance at Davies Symphony Hall in 2013. “I’m like a roadrunner all over the place, and the SFJAZZ production manager on stage was watching me,” recalls Vela, who ended up signing on with the recently opened SFJAZZ Center. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1411\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991323\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles.jpg 1411w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-160x227.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-768x1089.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/SJZ-SF_Kamasi-Washington_photo-by-Grason-Littles-1084x1536.jpg 1084w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1411px) 100vw, 1411px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saxophonist Kamasi Washington performs as part of Summer Fest in downtown San José. (Grason Littles)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If he was helping forge a new venue identity at SFJAZZ, he’s taking on a very different role at San Jose Jazz, which for decades has maintained one of the West Coast’s premiere festivals by building upon San José’s downtown resources, like the Tech Museum, Montgomery Theater and expansive plaza.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s one of my favorite festivals, and an advantage Christian has is that Bruce Labadie has given him a runway,” says bassist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/marcus-shelby\">Marcus Shelby\u003c/a> — who, as the artistic director of Healdsburg Jazz since 2020, knows all about taking over programming from a festival’s founder.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s the perfect opportunity and situation for him,” Shelby adds. “He’s someone who loves and knows the heartbeat of the city.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991309/san-jose-jazz-christian-vela-artistic-director-summer-fest",
"authors": [
"86"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_235"
],
"tags": [
"arts_10278",
"arts_22068",
"arts_1420",
"arts_1084",
"arts_2475"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991324",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13991284": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991284",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991284",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1783022092000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "hiero-day-2026-san-francisco-lineup-expansion-la-canada",
"title": "Hiero Day Announces San Francisco Lineup, Expansion to LA and Canada",
"publishDate": 1783022092,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Hiero Day Announces San Francisco Lineup, Expansion to LA and Canada | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>It’s a big year for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/hieroglyphics\">Hieroglyphics\u003c/a>. The Oakland hip-hop crew announced this week that they’re returning to \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">San Francisco’s Midway\u003c/a> for Hiero Day 2026, which they’re headlining with Killer Mike, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mereba on Sept. 7. And they’re expanding their homegrown festival to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/hiero-day-l-a-2026-hollywood-08-30-2026/event/090064A946777FF1\">Los Angeles \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hieroday.com/hiero-day-canada-2026\">British Columbia, Canada\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The LA stop brings Hieroglyphics, Lupe Fiasco, Coast Contra and Lxgit to the Hollywood Palladium on Aug. 30. On Sept. 11–13 at the Salmo River Ranch campground in southern British Columbia, Hieroglyphics takes the stage once again along with Chali 2na, Cut Chemist, Abstract Rude and more. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hiero Day began as a free Oakland block party in 2012 and continued in the Town until last year, when Hieroglyphics moved it to San Francisco for the first time. Tajai Massey, a festival organizer and Hieroglyphics MC, told KQED that once the event moved across the bridge, promoters from other cities started calling. He says Hiero Day could be hitting more stops across the country soon.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We got calls from New York. We’ve had calls from Denver, Seattle and also I think Albuquerque,” Massey says. “So you might be seeing the Hiero Day tour.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13828022\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-960x540.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-240x135.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-375x211.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-520x293.jpg 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Killer Mike performing in Atlanta in 2017. (David A. Smith/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But even as he sets his sights on expansion, Massey, who is currently living abroad in Panama, says the Bay Area hip-hop scene is on an upswing. Hieroglyphics is getting ready to put out their first album in over a decade, \u003cem>All Said and Done\u003c/em>, which the nine-person collective recorded together in their Oakland studio. (\u003ca href=\"https://www.shophiero.com/products/the-new-hieroglyphics-album-chief-supporters-campaign?srsltid=AfmBOorz1JRDp1nTqQ5jvU7SoNs5SMU36hQqn5X805-56nvCrATGBrCR\">The record\u003c/a> is already available for purchase, and hits streaming platforms Sept. 3.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s grateful that the group, which has remained close throughout the 33 years since their first hit — “’93 Til Infinity” by Hiero offshoot Souls of Mischief — continues to work together and push each other as artists. “I’m feeling good that we’ve had such a long, illustrious career, and it continues, and that we’re doing new things,” he says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Hiero Day San Francisco lineup features Bay Area artists \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985660/frak-four-square-mixtape\">Frak\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13976039/ruby-ibarra-npr-tiny-desk-contest-winner-bay-area\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, both of whom have risen to national prominence recently. Shady Nate, Young Bari, Boss Life Big Spence, DJ BlackWoman and DJ Kurren$i are just a few of the other homegrown artists on the bill. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s happy to see more cross-pollination and mutual support from all corners of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, a trend he hopes the festival can help continue. “I don’t think it’s out of survival,” he adds. “It’s out of mutual respect.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Hiero Day returns to the Midway (900 Marin St., San Francisco) on Sept. 7. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">Full lineup and details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s a big year for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/hieroglyphics\">Hieroglyphics\u003c/a>. The Oakland hip-hop crew announced this week that they’re returning to \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">San Francisco’s Midway\u003c/a> for Hiero Day 2026, which they’re headlining with Killer Mike, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mereba on Sept. 7. And they’re expanding their homegrown festival to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/hiero-day-l-a-2026-hollywood-08-30-2026/event/090064A946777FF1\">Los Angeles \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hieroday.com/hiero-day-canada-2026\">British Columbia, Canada\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It’s a big year for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/hieroglyphics\">Hieroglyphics\u003c/a>. The Oakland hip-hop crew announced this week that they’re returning to \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">San Francisco’s Midway\u003c/a> for Hiero Day 2026, which they’re headlining with Killer Mike, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mereba on Sept. 7. And they’re expanding their homegrown festival to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/hiero-day-l-a-2026-hollywood-08-30-2026/event/090064A946777FF1\">Los Angeles \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hieroday.com/hiero-day-canada-2026\">British Columbia, Canada\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The LA stop brings Hieroglyphics, Lupe Fiasco, Coast Contra and Lxgit to the Hollywood Palladium on Aug. 30. On Sept. 11–13 at the Salmo River Ranch campground in southern British Columbia, Hieroglyphics takes the stage once again along with Chali 2na, Cut Chemist, Abstract Rude and more. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The LA stop brings Hieroglyphics, Lupe Fiasco, Coast Contra and Lxgit to the Hollywood Palladium on Aug. 30. On Sept. 11–13 at the Salmo River Ranch campground in southern British Columbia, Hieroglyphics takes the stage once again along with Chali 2na, Cut Chemist, Abstract Rude and more. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hiero Day began as a free Oakland block party in 2012 and continued in the Town until last year, when Hieroglyphics moved it to San Francisco for the first time. Tajai Massey, a festival organizer and Hieroglyphics MC, told KQED that once the event moved across the bridge, promoters from other cities started calling. He says Hiero Day could be hitting more stops across the country soon.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Hiero Day began as a free Oakland block party in 2012 and continued in the Town until last year, when Hieroglyphics moved it to San Francisco for the first time. Tajai Massey, a festival organizer and Hieroglyphics MC, told KQED that once the event moved across the bridge, promoters from other cities started calling. He says Hiero Day could be hitting more stops across the country soon.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We got calls from New York. We’ve had calls from Denver, Seattle and also I think Albuquerque,” Massey says. “So you might be seeing the Hiero Day tour.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We got calls from New York. We’ve had calls from Denver, Seattle and also I think Albuquerque,” Massey says. “So you might be seeing the Hiero Day tour.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13828022,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "David A. Smith/Getty Images",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-960x540.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-240x135.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-375x211.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-520x293.jpg 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411.jpg 2048w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13828022\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-960x540.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-240x135.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-375x211.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-520x293.jpg 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Killer Mike performing in Atlanta in 2017.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13828022\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Killer Mike performing in Atlanta in 2017.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But even as he sets his sights on expansion, Massey, who is currently living abroad in Panama, says the Bay Area hip-hop scene is on an upswing. Hieroglyphics is getting ready to put out their first album in over a decade, \u003cem>All Said and Done\u003c/em>, which the nine-person collective recorded together in their Oakland studio. (\u003ca href=\"https://www.shophiero.com/products/the-new-hieroglyphics-album-chief-supporters-campaign?srsltid=AfmBOorz1JRDp1nTqQ5jvU7SoNs5SMU36hQqn5X805-56nvCrATGBrCR\">The record\u003c/a> is already available for purchase, and hits streaming platforms Sept. 3.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But even as he sets his sights on expansion, Massey, who is currently living abroad in Panama, says the Bay Area hip-hop scene is on an upswing. Hieroglyphics is getting ready to put out their first album in over a decade, \u003cem>All Said and Done\u003c/em>, which the nine-person collective recorded together in their Oakland studio. (\u003ca href=\"https://www.shophiero.com/products/the-new-hieroglyphics-album-chief-supporters-campaign?srsltid=AfmBOorz1JRDp1nTqQ5jvU7SoNs5SMU36hQqn5X805-56nvCrATGBrCR\">The record\u003c/a> is already available for purchase, and hits streaming platforms Sept. 3.) \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s grateful that the group, which has remained close throughout the 33 years since their first hit — “’93 Til Infinity” by Hiero offshoot Souls of Mischief — continues to work together and push each other as artists. “I’m feeling good that we’ve had such a long, illustrious career, and it continues, and that we’re doing new things,” he says.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s grateful that the group, which has remained close throughout the 33 years since their first hit — “’93 Til Infinity” by Hiero offshoot Souls of Mischief — continues to work together and push each other as artists. “I’m feeling good that we’ve had such a long, illustrious career, and it continues, and that we’re doing new things,” he says.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Hiero Day San Francisco lineup features Bay Area artists \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985660/frak-four-square-mixtape\">Frak\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13976039/ruby-ibarra-npr-tiny-desk-contest-winner-bay-area\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, both of whom have risen to national prominence recently. Shady Nate, Young Bari, Boss Life Big Spence, DJ BlackWoman and DJ Kurren$i are just a few of the other homegrown artists on the bill. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Hiero Day San Francisco lineup features Bay Area artists \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985660/frak-four-square-mixtape\">Frak\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13976039/ruby-ibarra-npr-tiny-desk-contest-winner-bay-area\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, both of whom have risen to national prominence recently. Shady Nate, Young Bari, Boss Life Big Spence, DJ BlackWoman and DJ Kurren$i are just a few of the other homegrown artists on the bill. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s happy to see more cross-pollination and mutual support from all corners of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, a trend he hopes the festival can help continue. “I don’t think it’s out of survival,” he adds. “It’s out of mutual respect.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s happy to see more cross-pollination and mutual support from all corners of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, a trend he hopes the festival can help continue. “I don’t think it’s out of survival,” he adds. “It’s out of mutual respect.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/separator",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Hiero Day returns to the Midway (900 Marin St., San Francisco) on Sept. 7. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">Full lineup and details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Hiero Day returns to the Midway (900 Marin St., San Francisco) on Sept. 7. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">Full lineup and details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Killer Mike, Mereba, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Hieroglyphics co-headline the Midway on Sept. 7.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1783022100,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 11,
"wordCount": 501
},
"headData": {
"title": "Hiero Day Announces SF Lineup, Expands to LA and Canada | KQED",
"description": "Killer Mike, Mereba, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Hieroglyphics co-headline the Midway on Sept. 7.",
"ogTitle": "Hiero Day Announces San Francisco Lineup, Expansion to LA and Canada",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "Hiero Day Announces San Francisco Lineup, Expansion to LA and Canada",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "Hiero Day Announces SF Lineup, Expands to LA and Canada %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Hiero Day Announces San Francisco Lineup, Expansion to LA and Canada",
"datePublished": "2026-07-02T12:54:52-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-02T12:55:00-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"source": "The Do List",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/thedolist",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991284",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991284/hiero-day-2026-san-francisco-lineup-expansion-la-canada",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>It’s a big year for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/hieroglyphics\">Hieroglyphics\u003c/a>. The Oakland hip-hop crew announced this week that they’re returning to \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">San Francisco’s Midway\u003c/a> for Hiero Day 2026, which they’re headlining with Killer Mike, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mereba on Sept. 7. And they’re expanding their homegrown festival to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/hiero-day-l-a-2026-hollywood-08-30-2026/event/090064A946777FF1\">Los Angeles \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hieroday.com/hiero-day-canada-2026\">British Columbia, Canada\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The LA stop brings Hieroglyphics, Lupe Fiasco, Coast Contra and Lxgit to the Hollywood Palladium on Aug. 30. On Sept. 11–13 at the Salmo River Ranch campground in southern British Columbia, Hieroglyphics takes the stage once again along with Chali 2na, Cut Chemist, Abstract Rude and more. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hiero Day began as a free Oakland block party in 2012 and continued in the Town until last year, when Hieroglyphics moved it to San Francisco for the first time. Tajai Massey, a festival organizer and Hieroglyphics MC, told KQED that once the event moved across the bridge, promoters from other cities started calling. He says Hiero Day could be hitting more stops across the country soon.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We got calls from New York. We’ve had calls from Denver, Seattle and also I think Albuquerque,” Massey says. “So you might be seeing the Hiero Day tour.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13828022\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-960x540.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-240x135.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-375x211.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411-520x293.jpg 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/gettyimages-632359900_wide-75cfc86b44dfbaea982eba0457af104c57871411.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Killer Mike performing in Atlanta in 2017. (David A. Smith/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But even as he sets his sights on expansion, Massey, who is currently living abroad in Panama, says the Bay Area hip-hop scene is on an upswing. Hieroglyphics is getting ready to put out their first album in over a decade, \u003cem>All Said and Done\u003c/em>, which the nine-person collective recorded together in their Oakland studio. (\u003ca href=\"https://www.shophiero.com/products/the-new-hieroglyphics-album-chief-supporters-campaign?srsltid=AfmBOorz1JRDp1nTqQ5jvU7SoNs5SMU36hQqn5X805-56nvCrATGBrCR\">The record\u003c/a> is already available for purchase, and hits streaming platforms Sept. 3.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s grateful that the group, which has remained close throughout the 33 years since their first hit — “’93 Til Infinity” by Hiero offshoot Souls of Mischief — continues to work together and push each other as artists. “I’m feeling good that we’ve had such a long, illustrious career, and it continues, and that we’re doing new things,” he says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Hiero Day San Francisco lineup features Bay Area artists \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13985660/frak-four-square-mixtape\">Frak\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13976039/ruby-ibarra-npr-tiny-desk-contest-winner-bay-area\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, both of whom have risen to national prominence recently. Shady Nate, Young Bari, Boss Life Big Spence, DJ BlackWoman and DJ Kurren$i are just a few of the other homegrown artists on the bill. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Massey says he’s happy to see more cross-pollination and mutual support from all corners of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, a trend he hopes the festival can help continue. “I don’t think it’s out of survival,” he adds. “It’s out of mutual respect.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Hiero Day returns to the Midway (900 Marin St., San Francisco) on Sept. 7. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/midwaysf/events/hiero-day-189661\">Full lineup and details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991284/hiero-day-2026-san-francisco-lineup-expansion-la-canada",
"authors": [
"11387"
],
"programs": [
"arts_140"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_22313"
],
"tags": [
"arts_10278",
"arts_1088",
"arts_2284",
"arts_1146",
"arts_585"
],
"featImg": "arts_13934882",
"label": "source_arts_13991284"
},
"arts_13991246": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991246",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991246",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782938257000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "future-of-us-festival-4th-july-free-events-san-francisco",
"title": "A Huge, Free ‘Future of Us’ Fest Wants to Spark San Francisco’s Imagination",
"publishDate": 1782938257,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "A Huge, Free ‘Future of Us’ Fest Wants to Spark San Francisco’s Imagination | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>July 4 will mark 250 years since the United States declared independence from the British crown. But for many Americans facing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12078615/how-skyrocketing-housing-costs-and-policy-choices-reshaped-the-bay-area\">widening inequality\u003c/a>, intensified \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/immigration\">immigration crackdowns\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-protesters-anti-ice-convictions\">persecution of protesters\u003c/a>, the country’s milestone birthday doesn’t feel like a time for celebration. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, a group of artists, scientists and culture workers are launching a festival they hope will inspire everyday people to imagine a better future. On July 4–12, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Future of Us Festival\u003c/a> will bring over 50 interactive, free events — block parties, scavenger hunts, art-making sessions and environmental discussions — to neighborhoods from Bayview to the Richmond District. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>“\u003c/strong>A lot of people in the U.S. aren’t really happy with what’s going on … yet there’s so many incredible people that are here,” says \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/therealbpatt/\">B Patt\u003c/a>, a musician and founder of the creative agency Nothin But Hits. “What would the future of us look like if the artists, the creative entrepreneurs, the scientists, the people building community — all those who should really be leading the way — were the ones driving?\u003cem>”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991249\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">B Patt, Alisa Ahmadian, Louise Wo, Jasmine Hiroko McAdams and Stephanie Fine Sasse (left to right) are some of the organizers of Future of Us Festival. (Courtesy of Future of Us Festival)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neuroscientist and experience designer \u003ca href=\"https://stephaniefinesasse.info/about\">Stephanie Fine Sasse\u003c/a>, whose civic engagement nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://theplenary.co/\">The Plenary, Co.\u003c/a> is the driving force behind Future of Us, teamed up with B Patt and a crew of interdisciplinary collaborators to produce the festival. The organizers also assembled an inaugural cohort of \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/collective\">Future Culture\u003c/a> fellows who’ve spent the past six months strategizing for social change through a variety of fields, including housing, tech and the arts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to come together and explore ideas together,” Fine Sasse says. “And we certainly don’t have a lot of opportunities to do that creatively and in community and in multi-sensory ways.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The festival kicks off \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-of-us-250\">July 4 with an all-day block party\u003c/a> at the Pearl, a waterfront venue in the Dogpatch, which includes rooftop concerts from Tiny Desk-winning rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/ruby-ibarra\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, hip-hop artist Ian Kelly and violinist Alexandra Santon. The \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-sex-1\">Future of Sex\u003c/a> on July 7 and 8 at the Tenderloin Museum invites attendees to imagine they’re at a meeting of a San Francisco Sex Commission in the 22nd century.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On July 7, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/dateline\">Dateline 2046\u003c/a> offers interactive activities for youth to imagine their ideal third spaces where they can hang out and build community outside of school. And on July 8, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/bay-2051\">Bay City 2051\u003c/a> invites residents of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088662/toxic-land-protest-targets-sf-housing-plans-at-contaminated-hunters-point-naval-shipyard\">Bayview-Hunters Point\u003c/a>, a neighborhood historically plagued by radioactive pollution and racist policies, to imagine what environmental justice would look like 25 years from now. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For her July 9 event \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/futuretables-sf\">Future Tables\u003c/a>, Future Culture fellow and visual artist Dzigbodi Djugba has designed a ticketed dinner at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where 10 artists and culture workers will mingle with 10 people from the tech sector. The idea, through interactive activities and prompts, is to inspire greater understanding of one another. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Let’s go ahead and sit down and talk, all right? Give your perspective, and it’s not meant to be anything argumentative,” says Djugba. “It really is meant to be very imaginative, which is why we put the element of food. I’m Ghanaian, so in my culture, food is a gathering place. It’s where you sit at the table, you just commune and you have sort of a family vibe.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That collaborative spirit — of coming together, engaging in dialogue and envisioning new ways of doing things — runs through the festival’s omnivorous programming. David Dawkins, a visual designer and illustrator who worked on a \u003cem>Hall of Anythings\u003c/em> art exhibit for the July 4 event, hopes the reverberations will last for years to come. For all the talk of San Francisco as a city of innovation and disruption, one that always chases the next Gold Rush, he wants Future of Us to inspire more emphasis on togetherness, mutual respect and care. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The 250 — like, let’s reclaim it,” Dawkins says. “We built this country. Let us rediscover what it means to care for our neighbors and our people and just show up for one another.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Future of Us Festival takes place in San Francisco from July 4–12. \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Full schedule here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>July 4 will mark 250 years since the United States declared independence from the British crown. But for many Americans facing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12078615/how-skyrocketing-housing-costs-and-policy-choices-reshaped-the-bay-area\">widening inequality\u003c/a>, intensified \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/immigration\">immigration crackdowns\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-protesters-anti-ice-convictions\">persecution of protesters\u003c/a>, the country’s milestone birthday doesn’t feel like a time for celebration. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>July 4 will mark 250 years since the United States declared independence from the British crown. But for many Americans facing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12078615/how-skyrocketing-housing-costs-and-policy-choices-reshaped-the-bay-area\">widening inequality\u003c/a>, intensified \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/immigration\">immigration crackdowns\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-protesters-anti-ice-convictions\">persecution of protesters\u003c/a>, the country’s milestone birthday doesn’t feel like a time for celebration. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, a group of artists, scientists and culture workers are launching a festival they hope will inspire everyday people to imagine a better future. On July 4–12, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Future of Us Festival\u003c/a> will bring over 50 interactive, free events — block parties, scavenger hunts, art-making sessions and environmental discussions — to neighborhoods from Bayview to the Richmond District. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, a group of artists, scientists and culture workers are launching a festival they hope will inspire everyday people to imagine a better future. On July 4–12, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Future of Us Festival\u003c/a> will bring over 50 interactive, free events — block parties, scavenger hunts, art-making sessions and environmental discussions — to neighborhoods from Bayview to the Richmond District. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>“\u003c/strong>A lot of people in the U.S. aren’t really happy with what’s going on … yet there’s so many incredible people that are here,” says \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/therealbpatt/\">B Patt\u003c/a>, a musician and founder of the creative agency Nothin But Hits. “What would the future of us look like if the artists, the creative entrepreneurs, the scientists, the people building community — all those who should really be leading the way — were the ones driving?\u003cem>”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>“\u003c/strong>A lot of people in the U.S. aren’t really happy with what’s going on … yet there’s so many incredible people that are here,” says \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/therealbpatt/\">B Patt\u003c/a>, a musician and founder of the creative agency Nothin But Hits. “What would the future of us look like if the artists, the creative entrepreneurs, the scientists, the people building community — all those who should really be leading the way — were the ones driving?\u003cem>”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991249,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Courtesy of Future of Us Festival",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991249\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">B Patt, Alisa Ahmadian, Louise Wo, Jasmine Hiroko McAdams and Stephanie Fine Sasse (left to right) are some of the organizers of Future of Us Festival.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991249\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">B Patt, Alisa Ahmadian, Louise Wo, Jasmine Hiroko McAdams and Stephanie Fine Sasse (left to right) are some of the organizers of Future of Us Festival.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Neuroscientist and experience designer \u003ca href=\"https://stephaniefinesasse.info/about\">Stephanie Fine Sasse\u003c/a>, whose civic engagement nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://theplenary.co/\">The Plenary, Co.\u003c/a> is the driving force behind Future of Us, teamed up with B Patt and a crew of interdisciplinary collaborators to produce the festival. The organizers also assembled an inaugural cohort of \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/collective\">Future Culture\u003c/a> fellows who’ve spent the past six months strategizing for social change through a variety of fields, including housing, tech and the arts. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Neuroscientist and experience designer \u003ca href=\"https://stephaniefinesasse.info/about\">Stephanie Fine Sasse\u003c/a>, whose civic engagement nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://theplenary.co/\">The Plenary, Co.\u003c/a> is the driving force behind Future of Us, teamed up with B Patt and a crew of interdisciplinary collaborators to produce the festival. The organizers also assembled an inaugural cohort of \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/collective\">Future Culture\u003c/a> fellows who’ve spent the past six months strategizing for social change through a variety of fields, including housing, tech and the arts. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to come together and explore ideas together,” Fine Sasse says. “And we certainly don’t have a lot of opportunities to do that creatively and in community and in multi-sensory ways.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to come together and explore ideas together,” Fine Sasse says. “And we certainly don’t have a lot of opportunities to do that creatively and in community and in multi-sensory ways.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The festival kicks off \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-of-us-250\">July 4 with an all-day block party\u003c/a> at the Pearl, a waterfront venue in the Dogpatch, which includes rooftop concerts from Tiny Desk-winning rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/ruby-ibarra\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, hip-hop artist Ian Kelly and violinist Alexandra Santon. The \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-sex-1\">Future of Sex\u003c/a> on July 7 and 8 at the Tenderloin Museum invites attendees to imagine they’re at a meeting of a San Francisco Sex Commission in the 22nd century.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The festival kicks off \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-of-us-250\">July 4 with an all-day block party\u003c/a> at the Pearl, a waterfront venue in the Dogpatch, which includes rooftop concerts from Tiny Desk-winning rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/ruby-ibarra\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, hip-hop artist Ian Kelly and violinist Alexandra Santon. The \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-sex-1\">Future of Sex\u003c/a> on July 7 and 8 at the Tenderloin Museum invites attendees to imagine they’re at a meeting of a San Francisco Sex Commission in the 22nd century.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On July 7, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/dateline\">Dateline 2046\u003c/a> offers interactive activities for youth to imagine their ideal third spaces where they can hang out and build community outside of school. And on July 8, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/bay-2051\">Bay City 2051\u003c/a> invites residents of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088662/toxic-land-protest-targets-sf-housing-plans-at-contaminated-hunters-point-naval-shipyard\">Bayview-Hunters Point\u003c/a>, a neighborhood historically plagued by radioactive pollution and racist policies, to imagine what environmental justice would look like 25 years from now. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>On July 7, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/dateline\">Dateline 2046\u003c/a> offers interactive activities for youth to imagine their ideal third spaces where they can hang out and build community outside of school. And on July 8, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/bay-2051\">Bay City 2051\u003c/a> invites residents of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088662/toxic-land-protest-targets-sf-housing-plans-at-contaminated-hunters-point-naval-shipyard\">Bayview-Hunters Point\u003c/a>, a neighborhood historically plagued by radioactive pollution and racist policies, to imagine what environmental justice would look like 25 years from now. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_13991214",
"arts_13990563",
"arts_13991136"
],
"label": "More Arts Coverage"
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For her July 9 event \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/futuretables-sf\">Future Tables\u003c/a>, Future Culture fellow and visual artist Dzigbodi Djugba has designed a ticketed dinner at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where 10 artists and culture workers will mingle with 10 people from the tech sector. The idea, through interactive activities and prompts, is to inspire greater understanding of one another. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For her July 9 event \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/futuretables-sf\">Future Tables\u003c/a>, Future Culture fellow and visual artist Dzigbodi Djugba has designed a ticketed dinner at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where 10 artists and culture workers will mingle with 10 people from the tech sector. The idea, through interactive activities and prompts, is to inspire greater understanding of one another. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Let’s go ahead and sit down and talk, all right? Give your perspective, and it’s not meant to be anything argumentative,” says Djugba. “It really is meant to be very imaginative, which is why we put the element of food. I’m Ghanaian, so in my culture, food is a gathering place. It’s where you sit at the table, you just commune and you have sort of a family vibe.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Let’s go ahead and sit down and talk, all right? Give your perspective, and it’s not meant to be anything argumentative,” says Djugba. “It really is meant to be very imaginative, which is why we put the element of food. I’m Ghanaian, so in my culture, food is a gathering place. It’s where you sit at the table, you just commune and you have sort of a family vibe.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That collaborative spirit — of coming together, engaging in dialogue and envisioning new ways of doing things — runs through the festival’s omnivorous programming. David Dawkins, a visual designer and illustrator who worked on a \u003cem>Hall of Anythings\u003c/em> art exhibit for the July 4 event, hopes the reverberations will last for years to come. For all the talk of San Francisco as a city of innovation and disruption, one that always chases the next Gold Rush, he wants Future of Us to inspire more emphasis on togetherness, mutual respect and care. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That collaborative spirit — of coming together, engaging in dialogue and envisioning new ways of doing things — runs through the festival’s omnivorous programming. David Dawkins, a visual designer and illustrator who worked on a \u003cem>Hall of Anythings\u003c/em> art exhibit for the July 4 event, hopes the reverberations will last for years to come. For all the talk of San Francisco as a city of innovation and disruption, one that always chases the next Gold Rush, he wants Future of Us to inspire more emphasis on togetherness, mutual respect and care. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The 250 — like, let’s reclaim it,” Dawkins says. “We built this country. Let us rediscover what it means to care for our neighbors and our people and just show up for one another.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The 250 — like, let’s reclaim it,” Dawkins says. “We built this country. Let us rediscover what it means to care for our neighbors and our people and just show up for one another.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/separator",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" />\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" />\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Future of Us Festival takes place in San Francisco from July 4–12. \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Full schedule here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Future of Us Festival takes place in San Francisco from July 4–12. \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Full schedule here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Quirky, interactive events are meant to bring artists, scientists and everyday people together to dream and play.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1783008900,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 14,
"wordCount": 776
},
"headData": {
"title": "‘Future of Us’ Brings 60 Free Events to San Francisco | KQED",
"description": "Quirky, interactive events are meant to bring artists, scientists and everyday people together to dream and play.",
"ogTitle": "A Huge, Free ‘Future of Us’ Fest Wants to Spark San Francisco’s Imagination",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "A Huge, Free ‘Future of Us’ Fest Wants to Spark San Francisco’s Imagination",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "‘Future of Us’ Brings 60 Free Events to San Francisco %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "A Huge, Free ‘Future of Us’ Fest Wants to Spark San Francisco’s Imagination",
"datePublished": "2026-07-01T13:37:37-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-02T09:15:00-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"source": "The Do List",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/thedolist",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991246",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991246/future-of-us-festival-4th-july-free-events-san-francisco",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>July 4 will mark 250 years since the United States declared independence from the British crown. But for many Americans facing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12078615/how-skyrocketing-housing-costs-and-policy-choices-reshaped-the-bay-area\">widening inequality\u003c/a>, intensified \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/immigration\">immigration crackdowns\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-protesters-anti-ice-convictions\">persecution of protesters\u003c/a>, the country’s milestone birthday doesn’t feel like a time for celebration. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, a group of artists, scientists and culture workers are launching a festival they hope will inspire everyday people to imagine a better future. On July 4–12, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Future of Us Festival\u003c/a> will bring over 50 interactive, free events — block parties, scavenger hunts, art-making sessions and environmental discussions — to neighborhoods from Bayview to the Richmond District. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>“\u003c/strong>A lot of people in the U.S. aren’t really happy with what’s going on … yet there’s so many incredible people that are here,” says \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/therealbpatt/\">B Patt\u003c/a>, a musician and founder of the creative agency Nothin But Hits. “What would the future of us look like if the artists, the creative entrepreneurs, the scientists, the people building community — all those who should really be leading the way — were the ones driving?\u003cem>”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991249\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Copy-of-2026_0303_FutureOfUs_Team_1358-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">B Patt, Alisa Ahmadian, Louise Wo, Jasmine Hiroko McAdams and Stephanie Fine Sasse (left to right) are some of the organizers of Future of Us Festival. (Courtesy of Future of Us Festival)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neuroscientist and experience designer \u003ca href=\"https://stephaniefinesasse.info/about\">Stephanie Fine Sasse\u003c/a>, whose civic engagement nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://theplenary.co/\">The Plenary, Co.\u003c/a> is the driving force behind Future of Us, teamed up with B Patt and a crew of interdisciplinary collaborators to produce the festival. The organizers also assembled an inaugural cohort of \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/collective\">Future Culture\u003c/a> fellows who’ve spent the past six months strategizing for social change through a variety of fields, including housing, tech and the arts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to come together and explore ideas together,” Fine Sasse says. “And we certainly don’t have a lot of opportunities to do that creatively and in community and in multi-sensory ways.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The festival kicks off \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-of-us-250\">July 4 with an all-day block party\u003c/a> at the Pearl, a waterfront venue in the Dogpatch, which includes rooftop concerts from Tiny Desk-winning rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/ruby-ibarra\">Ruby Ibarra\u003c/a>, hip-hop artist Ian Kelly and violinist Alexandra Santon. The \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/future-sex-1\">Future of Sex\u003c/a> on July 7 and 8 at the Tenderloin Museum invites attendees to imagine they’re at a meeting of a San Francisco Sex Commission in the 22nd century.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On July 7, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/dateline\">Dateline 2046\u003c/a> offers interactive activities for youth to imagine their ideal third spaces where they can hang out and build community outside of school. And on July 8, \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/bay-2051\">Bay City 2051\u003c/a> invites residents of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088662/toxic-land-protest-targets-sf-housing-plans-at-contaminated-hunters-point-naval-shipyard\">Bayview-Hunters Point\u003c/a>, a neighborhood historically plagued by radioactive pollution and racist policies, to imagine what environmental justice would look like 25 years from now. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For her July 9 event \u003ca href=\"https://luma.com/futuretables-sf\">Future Tables\u003c/a>, Future Culture fellow and visual artist Dzigbodi Djugba has designed a ticketed dinner at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where 10 artists and culture workers will mingle with 10 people from the tech sector. The idea, through interactive activities and prompts, is to inspire greater understanding of one another. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Let’s go ahead and sit down and talk, all right? Give your perspective, and it’s not meant to be anything argumentative,” says Djugba. “It really is meant to be very imaginative, which is why we put the element of food. I’m Ghanaian, so in my culture, food is a gathering place. It’s where you sit at the table, you just commune and you have sort of a family vibe.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That collaborative spirit — of coming together, engaging in dialogue and envisioning new ways of doing things — runs through the festival’s omnivorous programming. David Dawkins, a visual designer and illustrator who worked on a \u003cem>Hall of Anythings\u003c/em> art exhibit for the July 4 event, hopes the reverberations will last for years to come. For all the talk of San Francisco as a city of innovation and disruption, one that always chases the next Gold Rush, he wants Future of Us to inspire more emphasis on togetherness, mutual respect and care. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The 250 — like, let’s reclaim it,” Dawkins says. “We built this country. Let us rediscover what it means to care for our neighbors and our people and just show up for one another.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Future of Us Festival takes place in San Francisco from July 4–12. \u003ca href=\"https://www.future-of-us.com/events\">Full schedule here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991246/future-of-us-festival-4th-july-free-events-san-francisco",
"authors": [
"11387"
],
"programs": [
"arts_140"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_22313",
"arts_70"
],
"tags": [
"arts_4018",
"arts_22068",
"arts_659",
"arts_1146",
"arts_973",
"arts_585"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991258",
"label": "source_arts_13991246"
},
"arts_13991214": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991214",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991214",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782859031000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "christopher-l-thompson-wins-san-francisco-symphony-emerging-black-composers-project",
"title": "Christopher L. Thompson Wins the San Francisco Symphony’s Emerging Black Composers Project",
"publishDate": 1782859031,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Christopher L. Thompson Wins the San Francisco Symphony’s Emerging Black Composers Project | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The San Francisco Symphony on Tuesday announced that the winner of its sixth annual \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfsymphony.org/EmergingBlackComposers/ABOUT\">Emerging Black Composers Project\u003c/a> (EBCP): Christopher L. Thompson.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It is always an amazing feeling to hear that others see and believe in your vision,” said Thompson in a release shared by the Symphony.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The award, made possible by the Symphony and the \u003ca href=\"https://sfcm.edu/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Conservatory of Music\u003c/a> (SFCM), comes with a $15,000 grant, mentorship from established composers and the opportunity to debut a commissioned piece at Davies Symphony Hall during the 2027-2028 season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The EBCP is a competitive program launched in 2020 amid nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. The classical music repertory is well known to skew toward white male composers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[The] project is an attempt to address some of that, and to provide points of access to young people from a community that has often previously been denied access,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.danielbartholomewpoyser.com/bio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser\u003c/a>, chair of the EBCP selection committee and the San Francisco Symphony’s resident conductor of engagement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13909289/emerging-black-composers-project-san-francisco-symphony-conservatory-music-trevor-weston\">told KQED in 2022\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a white suit with a brown tie plays the xylophone.\" class=\"wp-image-13991218\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Composer and percussionist Christopher L. Thompson, also known as ‘Master Christopher,’ is a proponent of blending musical genres and mixing traditional symphonic elements with notated raps. (Ricky A. Richardson)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Thompson is a contemporary jazz musician and percussionist who blurs the lines between musical genres. By merging traditional symphonic elements with notated raps, he creates a new take on classical music. (His style is prominently shown on his debut album, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://masterchristopher.bandcamp.com/album/music-desegregation\">Music Desegregation\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, released in July of 2022.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can’t wait to explore the power of rap notation as a compositional force with the San Francisco Symphony in a way that is genuine and authentic, without sacrificing the ensemble’s classical identity and technical prowess,” said Thompson in a release.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Originally from North Carolina and currently based in Philadelphia, Thompson is a music lecturer at Kingsborough Community College in New York and a student at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music composition.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With an undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, Thompson’s résumé also boasts performances at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues festival in North Carolina, the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany and other esteemed institutions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQpCu2dlgX0\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Looking forward to his time with the San Francisco Symphony, and anticipating the relationships to come by working with “a high-class group of musicians,” Thompson said winning this award feels like a dream come true.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I am truly honored to be selected for the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13901635/michael-morgan-visionary-oakland-symphony-conductor-dies-at-age-63\">Michael Morgan\u003c/a> Prize,” he says of the award, which is named for the late longtime head of the Oakland Symphony. Thompson joins previous award winners \u003ca href=\"https://tylertaylorcomposer.com/about/\">Tyler Taylor,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.xaviermuzik.com/\">Xavier Muzik\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.seattlechambermusic.org/composers/kyle-rivera/\">Kyle Rivera\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.jensibsen.com/\">Jen Ibsen\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.trevorweston.com/about\">Trevor Weston\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Christopher Thompson was the clear favorite among the jurors this year,” said Bartholomew-Poyser in a release from the Symphony, noting his compelling voice, memorable music and detailed scores.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Christopher is poised to take the orchestral world in new directions,” Bartholomew-Poyser said.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Symphony on Tuesday announced that the winner of its sixth annual \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfsymphony.org/EmergingBlackComposers/ABOUT\">Emerging Black Composers Project\u003c/a> (EBCP): Christopher L. Thompson.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Symphony on Tuesday announced that the winner of its sixth annual \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfsymphony.org/EmergingBlackComposers/ABOUT\">Emerging Black Composers Project\u003c/a> (EBCP): Christopher L. Thompson.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It is always an amazing feeling to hear that others see and believe in your vision,” said Thompson in a release shared by the Symphony.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It is always an amazing feeling to hear that others see and believe in your vision,” said Thompson in a release shared by the Symphony.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The award, made possible by the Symphony and the \u003ca href=\"https://sfcm.edu/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Conservatory of Music\u003c/a> (SFCM), comes with a $15,000 grant, mentorship from established composers and the opportunity to debut a commissioned piece at Davies Symphony Hall during the 2027-2028 season.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The award, made possible by the Symphony and the \u003ca href=\"https://sfcm.edu/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Conservatory of Music\u003c/a> (SFCM), comes with a $15,000 grant, mentorship from established composers and the opportunity to debut a commissioned piece at Davies Symphony Hall during the 2027-2028 season.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The EBCP is a competitive program launched in 2020 amid nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. The classical music repertory is well known to skew toward white male composers.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The EBCP is a competitive program launched in 2020 amid nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. The classical music repertory is well known to skew toward white male composers.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“[The] project is an attempt to address some of that, and to provide points of access to young people from a community that has often previously been denied access,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.danielbartholomewpoyser.com/bio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser\u003c/a>, chair of the EBCP selection committee and the San Francisco Symphony’s resident conductor of engagement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13909289/emerging-black-composers-project-san-francisco-symphony-conservatory-music-trevor-weston\">told KQED in 2022\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“[The] project is an attempt to address some of that, and to provide points of access to young people from a community that has often previously been denied access,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.danielbartholomewpoyser.com/bio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser\u003c/a>, chair of the EBCP selection committee and the San Francisco Symphony’s resident conductor of engagement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13909289/emerging-black-composers-project-san-francisco-symphony-conservatory-music-trevor-weston\">told KQED in 2022\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991218,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Ricky A. Richardson",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1536x2048.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a white suit with a brown tie plays the xylophone.\" class=\"wp-image-13991218\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Composer and percussionist Christopher L. Thompson, also known as ‘Master Christopher,’ is a proponent of blending musical genres and mixing traditional symphonic elements with notated raps.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a white suit with a brown tie plays the xylophone.\" class=\"wp-image-13991218\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Composer and percussionist Christopher L. Thompson, also known as ‘Master Christopher,’ is a proponent of blending musical genres and mixing traditional symphonic elements with notated raps.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Thompson is a contemporary jazz musician and percussionist who blurs the lines between musical genres. By merging traditional symphonic elements with notated raps, he creates a new take on classical music. (His style is prominently shown on his debut album, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://masterchristopher.bandcamp.com/album/music-desegregation\">Music Desegregation\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, released in July of 2022.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Thompson is a contemporary jazz musician and percussionist who blurs the lines between musical genres. By merging traditional symphonic elements with notated raps, he creates a new take on classical music. (His style is prominently shown on his debut album, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://masterchristopher.bandcamp.com/album/music-desegregation\">Music Desegregation\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, released in July of 2022.)\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I can’t wait to explore the power of rap notation as a compositional force with the San Francisco Symphony in a way that is genuine and authentic, without sacrificing the ensemble’s classical identity and technical prowess,” said Thompson in a release.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I can’t wait to explore the power of rap notation as a compositional force with the San Francisco Symphony in a way that is genuine and authentic, without sacrificing the ensemble’s classical identity and technical prowess,” said Thompson in a release.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Originally from North Carolina and currently based in Philadelphia, Thompson is a music lecturer at Kingsborough Community College in New York and a student at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music composition.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Originally from North Carolina and currently based in Philadelphia, Thompson is a music lecturer at Kingsborough Community College in New York and a student at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music composition.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>With an undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, Thompson’s résumé also boasts performances at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues festival in North Carolina, the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany and other esteemed institutions.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>With an undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, Thompson’s résumé also boasts performances at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues festival in North Carolina, the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany and other esteemed institutions.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/embed",
"attrs": {
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQpCu2dlgX0",
"type": "video",
"providerNameSlug": "youtube",
"responsive": true,
"className": "wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQpCu2dlgX0\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQpCu2dlgX0\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Looking forward to his time with the San Francisco Symphony, and anticipating the relationships to come by working with “a high-class group of musicians,” Thompson said winning this award feels like a dream come true.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Looking forward to his time with the San Francisco Symphony, and anticipating the relationships to come by working with “a high-class group of musicians,” Thompson said winning this award feels like a dream come true.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I am truly honored to be selected for the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13901635/michael-morgan-visionary-oakland-symphony-conductor-dies-at-age-63\">Michael Morgan\u003c/a> Prize,” he says of the award, which is named for the late longtime head of the Oakland Symphony. Thompson joins previous award winners \u003ca href=\"https://tylertaylorcomposer.com/about/\">Tyler Taylor,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.xaviermuzik.com/\">Xavier Muzik\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.seattlechambermusic.org/composers/kyle-rivera/\">Kyle Rivera\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.jensibsen.com/\">Jen Ibsen\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.trevorweston.com/about\">Trevor Weston\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I am truly honored to be selected for the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13901635/michael-morgan-visionary-oakland-symphony-conductor-dies-at-age-63\">Michael Morgan\u003c/a> Prize,” he says of the award, which is named for the late longtime head of the Oakland Symphony. Thompson joins previous award winners \u003ca href=\"https://tylertaylorcomposer.com/about/\">Tyler Taylor,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.xaviermuzik.com/\">Xavier Muzik\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.seattlechambermusic.org/composers/kyle-rivera/\">Kyle Rivera\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.jensibsen.com/\">Jen Ibsen\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.trevorweston.com/about\">Trevor Weston\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Christopher Thompson was the clear favorite among the jurors this year,” said Bartholomew-Poyser in a release from the Symphony, noting his compelling voice, memorable music and detailed scores.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Christopher Thompson was the clear favorite among the jurors this year,” said Bartholomew-Poyser in a release from the Symphony, noting his compelling voice, memorable music and detailed scores.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Christopher is poised to take the orchestral world in new directions,” Bartholomew-Poyser said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Christopher is poised to take the orchestral world in new directions,” Bartholomew-Poyser said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The award comes with a $15,000 grant and a commission from the Symphony. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782868266,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 15,
"wordCount": 545
},
"headData": {
"title": "Christopher L. Thompson Wins the San Francisco Symphony’s Emerging Black Composers Project | KQED",
"description": "The award comes with a $15,000 grant and a commission from the Symphony. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Christopher L. Thompson Wins the San Francisco Symphony’s Emerging Black Composers Project",
"datePublished": "2026-06-30T15:37:11-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-30T18:11:06-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991214",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991214/christopher-l-thompson-wins-san-francisco-symphony-emerging-black-composers-project",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The San Francisco Symphony on Tuesday announced that the winner of its sixth annual \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfsymphony.org/EmergingBlackComposers/ABOUT\">Emerging Black Composers Project\u003c/a> (EBCP): Christopher L. Thompson.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It is always an amazing feeling to hear that others see and believe in your vision,” said Thompson in a release shared by the Symphony.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The award, made possible by the Symphony and the \u003ca href=\"https://sfcm.edu/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Conservatory of Music\u003c/a> (SFCM), comes with a $15,000 grant, mentorship from established composers and the opportunity to debut a commissioned piece at Davies Symphony Hall during the 2027-2028 season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The EBCP is a competitive program launched in 2020 amid nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. The classical music repertory is well known to skew toward white male composers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[The] project is an attempt to address some of that, and to provide points of access to young people from a community that has often previously been denied access,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.danielbartholomewpoyser.com/bio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser\u003c/a>, chair of the EBCP selection committee and the San Francisco Symphony’s resident conductor of engagement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13909289/emerging-black-composers-project-san-francisco-symphony-conservatory-music-trevor-weston\">told KQED in 2022\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a white suit with a brown tie plays the xylophone.\" class=\"wp-image-13991218\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/735111956_1955487798466459_3825383235520291372_n-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Composer and percussionist Christopher L. Thompson, also known as ‘Master Christopher,’ is a proponent of blending musical genres and mixing traditional symphonic elements with notated raps. (Ricky A. Richardson)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Thompson is a contemporary jazz musician and percussionist who blurs the lines between musical genres. By merging traditional symphonic elements with notated raps, he creates a new take on classical music. (His style is prominently shown on his debut album, \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://masterchristopher.bandcamp.com/album/music-desegregation\">Music Desegregation\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, released in July of 2022.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can’t wait to explore the power of rap notation as a compositional force with the San Francisco Symphony in a way that is genuine and authentic, without sacrificing the ensemble’s classical identity and technical prowess,” said Thompson in a release.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Originally from North Carolina and currently based in Philadelphia, Thompson is a music lecturer at Kingsborough Community College in New York and a student at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music composition.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With an undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music, Thompson’s résumé also boasts performances at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues festival in North Carolina, the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany and other esteemed institutions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/SQpCu2dlgX0'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/SQpCu2dlgX0'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Looking forward to his time with the San Francisco Symphony, and anticipating the relationships to come by working with “a high-class group of musicians,” Thompson said winning this award feels like a dream come true.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I am truly honored to be selected for the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13901635/michael-morgan-visionary-oakland-symphony-conductor-dies-at-age-63\">Michael Morgan\u003c/a> Prize,” he says of the award, which is named for the late longtime head of the Oakland Symphony. Thompson joins previous award winners \u003ca href=\"https://tylertaylorcomposer.com/about/\">Tyler Taylor,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.xaviermuzik.com/\">Xavier Muzik\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.seattlechambermusic.org/composers/kyle-rivera/\">Kyle Rivera\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.jensibsen.com/\">Jen Ibsen\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.trevorweston.com/about\">Trevor Weston\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Christopher Thompson was the clear favorite among the jurors this year,” said Bartholomew-Poyser in a release from the Symphony, noting his compelling voice, memorable music and detailed scores.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Christopher is poised to take the orchestral world in new directions,” Bartholomew-Poyser said.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991214/christopher-l-thompson-wins-san-francisco-symphony-emerging-black-composers-project",
"authors": [
"11491"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_235"
],
"tags": [
"arts_1312",
"arts_21836",
"arts_1367"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991217",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13991172": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991172",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991172",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782842818000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "metallica-cardiff-wales-foodbank-blood-donation-record-breaking-delilah",
"title": "Metallica Just Flew to the UK and Pretty Much Broke Wales",
"publishDate": 1782842818,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Metallica Just Flew to the UK and Pretty Much Broke Wales | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>San Francisco rock legends Metallica brought the capital city of Wales to a screeching halt over the weekend with a series of firsts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To start with, June 28 was the first time the band had played the small Celtic nation (total population: 3 million) in 30 years. Then — possibly as a result of the length of time between visits — the metal icons managed to sell 76,000 tickets for a single show, making it the largest single concert to ever happen in Wales. At least 13 roads around the city center closed in preparation for the event.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Excitement built for days before the Principality Stadium gig, with fans and revelers holding full-blown Metallica street parties outside a variety of pubs, occasionally \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaGq8wqsBeg/?hl=en\">spotting band members\u003c/a> as they did so. Then, during the show, bassist Rob Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett performed \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1089392840935142\">a cover of Tom Jones’ “Delilah,”\u003c/a> a song the Welsh traditionally like to sing at weddings, parties and sporting events. “Delilah” was recently banned from the Principality Stadium for having lyrics that some domestic violence charities objected to. Still, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/metallica-cardiff-review-waited-30-34201483\">review from WalesOnline\u003c/a> noted that the cover got “one of the biggest cheers of the night.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFKKCM1lXuQ&list=RDgFKKCM1lXuQ&start_radio=1\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But it was after Metallica left Cardiff that the Welsh really got a taste of Metallica’s mettle. The band donated £20,000 (roughly $26,500) to \u003ca href=\"https://cardiff.foodbank.org.uk/\">Cardiff Foodbank\u003c/a> — the largest celebrity donation the charity has ever received. (In June 2024 during her Eras tour, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/taylor-swift\">Taylor Swift\u003c/a> also gave Cardiff Foodbank enough cash to provide three-day emergency food parcels to 925 people.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rachel Biggs, chief executive of the organization, \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLdI29Ax7L/\">told BBC Radio Wales\u003c/a> on Monday morning that the Metallica cash would provide 9,000 meals to a thousand people in need, in South Wales. “It’s incredible that celebrities are using their status to donate and raise awareness of causes such as ours,” Biggs noted. “It’s going to make an incredible difference.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While this financial offering took Wales entirely by surprise, Metallica has been donating to charities all over the world since 2017, when the band’s members and crew started the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/\">All Within My Hands\u003c/a> foundation (AWMH). The organization gives back to cities that welcome Metallica on tour and helps incentivize fans to participate in blood drives by giving participants limited edition merch.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/metallica/\">Metallica’s efforts in Wales\u003c/a> also marked the first time that UK blood services had ever partnered with a band to champion blood donation. Simon Campbell-Daves, of Welsh Blood Service, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv9elgvz5lo\">told the BBC\u003c/a>: “We cannot be any more thankful to [the fans that donated] and to Metallica for their support in making this happen. It’s been incredible.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Before Metallica had even arrived in Cardiff, Wales’ neighbors in Ireland were on the receiving end of even larger donations. After Metallica played Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 19 and 21, AWMH gave €40,000 (around $45,000) to anti-domestic violence organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensaid.ie/\">Women’s Aid\u003c/a> and another €40,000 to homeless charity, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.dubsimon.ie/\">Dublin Simon Community\u003c/a>. Back in 2020, AWMH donated $250,000 to five wildfire relief organizations on the west coast. According to a 2025 \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg4kKVYAgYo&t=188s\">CBS news report\u003c/a>, AWMH has donated $10 million across the U.S. to workforce education programs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, we have a tendency to take Metallica for granted a little bit — another band that’s simply part of the local fabric. It’s impossible not to appreciate the quartet on a fresh level after viewing them through the rest of the world’s eyes though. Cardiff magazine, \u003ca href=\"https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/metallica-gojira-knocked-loose-live-review-principality-stadium-cardiff/\">\u003cem>Buzz\u003c/em>, ended its Metallica live review\u003c/a> with an entreaty: “Come back soon please, lads.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco rock legends Metallica brought the capital city of Wales to a screeching halt over the weekend with a series of firsts.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>San Francisco rock legends Metallica brought the capital city of Wales to a screeching halt over the weekend with a series of firsts.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To start with, June 28 was the first time the band had played the small Celtic nation (total population: 3 million) in 30 years. Then — possibly as a result of the length of time between visits — the metal icons managed to sell 76,000 tickets for a single show, making it the largest single concert to ever happen in Wales. At least 13 roads around the city center closed in preparation for the event.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>To start with, June 28 was the first time the band had played the small Celtic nation (total population: 3 million) in 30 years. Then — possibly as a result of the length of time between visits — the metal icons managed to sell 76,000 tickets for a single show, making it the largest single concert to ever happen in Wales. At least 13 roads around the city center closed in preparation for the event.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Excitement built for days before the Principality Stadium gig, with fans and revelers holding full-blown Metallica street parties outside a variety of pubs, occasionally \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaGq8wqsBeg/?hl=en\">spotting band members\u003c/a> as they did so. Then, during the show, bassist Rob Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett performed \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1089392840935142\">a cover of Tom Jones’ “Delilah,”\u003c/a> a song the Welsh traditionally like to sing at weddings, parties and sporting events. “Delilah” was recently banned from the Principality Stadium for having lyrics that some domestic violence charities objected to. Still, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/metallica-cardiff-review-waited-30-34201483\">review from WalesOnline\u003c/a> noted that the cover got “one of the biggest cheers of the night.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Excitement built for days before the Principality Stadium gig, with fans and revelers holding full-blown Metallica street parties outside a variety of pubs, occasionally \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaGq8wqsBeg/?hl=en\">spotting band members\u003c/a> as they did so. Then, during the show, bassist Rob Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett performed \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1089392840935142\">a cover of Tom Jones’ “Delilah,”\u003c/a> a song the Welsh traditionally like to sing at weddings, parties and sporting events. “Delilah” was recently banned from the Principality Stadium for having lyrics that some domestic violence charities objected to. Still, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/metallica-cardiff-review-waited-30-34201483\">review from WalesOnline\u003c/a> noted that the cover got “one of the biggest cheers of the night.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/embed",
"attrs": {
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFKKCM1lXuQ&list=RDgFKKCM1lXuQ&start_radio=1",
"type": "video",
"providerNameSlug": "youtube",
"responsive": true,
"className": "wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFKKCM1lXuQ&list=RDgFKKCM1lXuQ&start_radio=1\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFKKCM1lXuQ&list=RDgFKKCM1lXuQ&start_radio=1\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But it was after Metallica left Cardiff that the Welsh really got a taste of Metallica’s mettle. The band donated £20,000 (roughly $26,500) to \u003ca href=\"https://cardiff.foodbank.org.uk/\">Cardiff Foodbank\u003c/a> — the largest celebrity donation the charity has ever received. (In June 2024 during her Eras tour, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/taylor-swift\">Taylor Swift\u003c/a> also gave Cardiff Foodbank enough cash to provide three-day emergency food parcels to 925 people.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But it was after Metallica left Cardiff that the Welsh really got a taste of Metallica’s mettle. The band donated £20,000 (roughly $26,500) to \u003ca href=\"https://cardiff.foodbank.org.uk/\">Cardiff Foodbank\u003c/a> — the largest celebrity donation the charity has ever received. (In June 2024 during her Eras tour, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/taylor-swift\">Taylor Swift\u003c/a> also gave Cardiff Foodbank enough cash to provide three-day emergency food parcels to 925 people.) \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rachel Biggs, chief executive of the organization, \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLdI29Ax7L/\">told BBC Radio Wales\u003c/a> on Monday morning that the Metallica cash would provide 9,000 meals to a thousand people in need, in South Wales. “It’s incredible that celebrities are using their status to donate and raise awareness of causes such as ours,” Biggs noted. “It’s going to make an incredible difference.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Rachel Biggs, chief executive of the organization, \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLdI29Ax7L/\">told BBC Radio Wales\u003c/a> on Monday morning that the Metallica cash would provide 9,000 meals to a thousand people in need, in South Wales. “It’s incredible that celebrities are using their status to donate and raise awareness of causes such as ours,” Biggs noted. “It’s going to make an incredible difference.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While this financial offering took Wales entirely by surprise, Metallica has been donating to charities all over the world since 2017, when the band’s members and crew started the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/\">All Within My Hands\u003c/a> foundation (AWMH). The organization gives back to cities that welcome Metallica on tour and helps incentivize fans to participate in blood drives by giving participants limited edition merch.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>While this financial offering took Wales entirely by surprise, Metallica has been donating to charities all over the world since 2017, when the band’s members and crew started the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/\">All Within My Hands\u003c/a> foundation (AWMH). The organization gives back to cities that welcome Metallica on tour and helps incentivize fans to participate in blood drives by giving participants limited edition merch.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_11610342",
"arts_13989206",
"arts_13989622"
],
"labelWasCleared": true
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/metallica/\">Metallica’s efforts in Wales\u003c/a> also marked the first time that UK blood services had ever partnered with a band to champion blood donation. Simon Campbell-Daves, of Welsh Blood Service, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv9elgvz5lo\">told the BBC\u003c/a>: “We cannot be any more thankful to [the fans that donated] and to Metallica for their support in making this happen. It’s been incredible.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/metallica/\">Metallica’s efforts in Wales\u003c/a> also marked the first time that UK blood services had ever partnered with a band to champion blood donation. Simon Campbell-Daves, of Welsh Blood Service, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv9elgvz5lo\">told the BBC\u003c/a>: “We cannot be any more thankful to [the fans that donated] and to Metallica for their support in making this happen. It’s been incredible.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Before Metallica had even arrived in Cardiff, Wales’ neighbors in Ireland were on the receiving end of even larger donations. After Metallica played Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 19 and 21, AWMH gave €40,000 (around $45,000) to anti-domestic violence organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensaid.ie/\">Women’s Aid\u003c/a> and another €40,000 to homeless charity, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.dubsimon.ie/\">Dublin Simon Community\u003c/a>. Back in 2020, AWMH donated $250,000 to five wildfire relief organizations on the west coast. According to a 2025 \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg4kKVYAgYo&t=188s\">CBS news report\u003c/a>, AWMH has donated $10 million across the U.S. to workforce education programs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Before Metallica had even arrived in Cardiff, Wales’ neighbors in Ireland were on the receiving end of even larger donations. After Metallica played Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 19 and 21, AWMH gave €40,000 (around $45,000) to anti-domestic violence organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensaid.ie/\">Women’s Aid\u003c/a> and another €40,000 to homeless charity, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.dubsimon.ie/\">Dublin Simon Community\u003c/a>. Back in 2020, AWMH donated $250,000 to five wildfire relief organizations on the west coast. According to a 2025 \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg4kKVYAgYo&t=188s\">CBS news report\u003c/a>, AWMH has donated $10 million across the U.S. to workforce education programs.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, we have a tendency to take Metallica for granted a little bit — another band that’s simply part of the local fabric. It’s impossible not to appreciate the quartet on a fresh level after viewing them through the rest of the world’s eyes though. Cardiff magazine, \u003ca href=\"https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/metallica-gojira-knocked-loose-live-review-principality-stadium-cardiff/\">\u003cem>Buzz\u003c/em>, ended its Metallica live review\u003c/a> with an entreaty: “Come back soon please, lads.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, we have a tendency to take Metallica for granted a little bit — another band that’s simply part of the local fabric. It’s impossible not to appreciate the quartet on a fresh level after viewing them through the rest of the world’s eyes though. Cardiff magazine, \u003ca href=\"https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/metallica-gojira-knocked-loose-live-review-principality-stadium-cardiff/\">\u003cem>Buzz\u003c/em>, ended its Metallica live review\u003c/a> with an entreaty: “Come back soon please, lads.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The SF icons entertained 76,000 fans in one night, boosted blood donation, then fed a thousand people.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782874142,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 12,
"wordCount": 652
},
"headData": {
"title": "The UK Loves Metallica Even More Than the Bay Does | KQED",
"description": "The SF icons entertained 76,000 fans in one night, boosted blood donation, then fed a thousand people.",
"ogTitle": "Metallica Just Flew to the U.K. and Pretty Much Broke Wales",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "Metallica Just Flew to the U.K. and Pretty Much Broke Wales",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "The UK Loves Metallica Even More Than the Bay Does %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Metallica Just Flew to the UK and Pretty Much Broke Wales",
"datePublished": "2026-06-30T11:06:58-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-30T19:49:02-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 69,
"slug": "music",
"name": "Music"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991172",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991172/metallica-cardiff-wales-foodbank-blood-donation-record-breaking-delilah",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>San Francisco rock legends Metallica brought the capital city of Wales to a screeching halt over the weekend with a series of firsts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To start with, June 28 was the first time the band had played the small Celtic nation (total population: 3 million) in 30 years. Then — possibly as a result of the length of time between visits — the metal icons managed to sell 76,000 tickets for a single show, making it the largest single concert to ever happen in Wales. At least 13 roads around the city center closed in preparation for the event.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Excitement built for days before the Principality Stadium gig, with fans and revelers holding full-blown Metallica street parties outside a variety of pubs, occasionally \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaGq8wqsBeg/?hl=en\">spotting band members\u003c/a> as they did so. Then, during the show, bassist Rob Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett performed \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1089392840935142\">a cover of Tom Jones’ “Delilah,”\u003c/a> a song the Welsh traditionally like to sing at weddings, parties and sporting events. “Delilah” was recently banned from the Principality Stadium for having lyrics that some domestic violence charities objected to. Still, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/metallica-cardiff-review-waited-30-34201483\">review from WalesOnline\u003c/a> noted that the cover got “one of the biggest cheers of the night.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/gFKKCM1lXuQ'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/gFKKCM1lXuQ'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But it was after Metallica left Cardiff that the Welsh really got a taste of Metallica’s mettle. The band donated £20,000 (roughly $26,500) to \u003ca href=\"https://cardiff.foodbank.org.uk/\">Cardiff Foodbank\u003c/a> — the largest celebrity donation the charity has ever received. (In June 2024 during her Eras tour, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/taylor-swift\">Taylor Swift\u003c/a> also gave Cardiff Foodbank enough cash to provide three-day emergency food parcels to 925 people.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rachel Biggs, chief executive of the organization, \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLdI29Ax7L/\">told BBC Radio Wales\u003c/a> on Monday morning that the Metallica cash would provide 9,000 meals to a thousand people in need, in South Wales. “It’s incredible that celebrities are using their status to donate and raise awareness of causes such as ours,” Biggs noted. “It’s going to make an incredible difference.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While this financial offering took Wales entirely by surprise, Metallica has been donating to charities all over the world since 2017, when the band’s members and crew started the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/\">All Within My Hands\u003c/a> foundation (AWMH). The organization gives back to cities that welcome Metallica on tour and helps incentivize fans to participate in blood drives by giving participants limited edition merch.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/metallica/\">Metallica’s efforts in Wales\u003c/a> also marked the first time that UK blood services had ever partnered with a band to champion blood donation. Simon Campbell-Daves, of Welsh Blood Service, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv9elgvz5lo\">told the BBC\u003c/a>: “We cannot be any more thankful to [the fans that donated] and to Metallica for their support in making this happen. It’s been incredible.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Before Metallica had even arrived in Cardiff, Wales’ neighbors in Ireland were on the receiving end of even larger donations. After Metallica played Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 19 and 21, AWMH gave €40,000 (around $45,000) to anti-domestic violence organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensaid.ie/\">Women’s Aid\u003c/a> and another €40,000 to homeless charity, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.dubsimon.ie/\">Dublin Simon Community\u003c/a>. Back in 2020, AWMH donated $250,000 to five wildfire relief organizations on the west coast. According to a 2025 \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg4kKVYAgYo&t=188s\">CBS news report\u003c/a>, AWMH has donated $10 million across the U.S. to workforce education programs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, we have a tendency to take Metallica for granted a little bit — another band that’s simply part of the local fabric. It’s impossible not to appreciate the quartet on a fresh level after viewing them through the rest of the world’s eyes though. Cardiff magazine, \u003ca href=\"https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/metallica-gojira-knocked-loose-live-review-principality-stadium-cardiff/\">\u003cem>Buzz\u003c/em>, ended its Metallica live review\u003c/a> with an entreaty: “Come back soon please, lads.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991172/metallica-cardiff-wales-foodbank-blood-donation-record-breaking-delilah",
"authors": [
"11242"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_75"
],
"tags": [
"arts_994",
"arts_1010",
"arts_5292"
],
"featImg": "arts_13805304",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13991166": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991166",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991166",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782842101000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "mission-district-punk-generator-shows-san-francisco",
"title": "When Generator Punk Shows Ruled the Mission District",
"publishDate": 1782842101,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "When Generator Punk Shows Ruled the Mission District | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The scene: 16th and Mission BART in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, 1998. Trains careen underground, while above, another kind of noise is happening.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne’s raspy, blues-inflected voice screams out of PAs borrowed from friends, powered by a generator borrowed from other friends. Erica Lyle’s guitar wails into the ether, making its way to Capp Street. Young punks dance, free of harassment. The show is over before anyone really knows it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Miami and Shotwell have just played an illegal show at BART.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You’d roll up. Sometimes I was with whoever had the PA. You would just see punks on the periphery. Nobody was assembled in the plaza exactly. You could just see people around, and as soon as the gear started coming out, everyone would just descend,” said Karoline Collins, a local photographer and roadie for the band \u003ca href=\"https://mattyluv.com/\">Hickey\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991192\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland sings with the Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This would be one of many illegal generator-powered \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/punk\">punk\u003c/a> shows happening on Mission Street, a tradition that would carry into San Francisco’s present day. While San Francisco’s punk shows of the ’70s and ’80s had taken place in unlikely settings — a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980619/mabuhay-gardens-reopening-sf-punk-club-north-beach\">Filipino restaurant\u003c/a>, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13938024/old-san-francisco-punk-venues-deaf-club-farm-sound-music-tool-die\">social club for the deaf\u003c/a>, literal \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13902953/alternative-voices-1980s-san-francisco-punk-jeanne-hansen-photography-jonah-raskin\">beer vats\u003c/a> — the tradition of guerilla generator shows that flourished in Mission District’s ragged and dedicated punk scene of the ’90s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">continues today with bands like False Flag, Surprise Privilege and WIFE\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/mission-district\">Mission District\u003c/a>’s punk history runs deep, boasting bands like MDC and Jawbreaker, and venues like Tool & Die, Kommotion and Epicenter. But in the late ’90s, something shifted. A new wave of punks dedicated to cheap living, harm reduction and the DIY ethos took over the streets. From 1994 through 2002, bands like Hickey, Shotwell, 50 Million and the aforementioned Miami would creatively resist San Francisco’s then-Mayor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/willie-brown\">Willie Brown\u003c/a> and the powers that be with both music and action.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Their headquarters would become Mission Records, and later 16th and Mission BART Plaza, for amplifying their frustrations with gentrification, war and the police.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The City That Never Sleeps\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne McClelland moved to San Francisco in 1997 after years of moving back and forth, sometimes by hopping trains, between her hometown of Miami and the East Bay as a teenage runaway. Though she’d crossed paths with Bay Area bands like Rancid, Green Day and Blatz, she decided to make San Francisco home thanks to Hickey. That year, McClelland hopped in the band’s van on their final tour, and moved into the band’s squalid apartment, the Hickey Hotel, on 24th Street.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991186\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aesop Dekker screenprints Hickey patches in the kitchen at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McClelland had played in bands like the Tri-Rails and Los Canadians, but when she made it to San Francisco, she teamed up with best friend and fellow Floridian Erica Dawn Lyle to start a new band called Miami, bolstered by Dekker and Luv from Hickey.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With more and more local venues like Klub Kommotion, Starcleaners Warehouse and Epicenter Records winding down operations, Miami and their longtime friends in the band Shotwell colluded to create a new commotion down Mission Street. Lyle and Broutis decided to host an illegal pop-up show, powered by generators, in front of the defunct Leed’s Shoes building at 22nd and Mission. Borrowing the idea from a band of buskers known as Rube Waddell, the two fueled their iteration with political angst.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The generator shows were a product of when gentrification really ramped up in the Mission,” said McClelland. “There was already this feeling of frustration and upset about all of these DIY show spaces that were targeted and shut down, and in our grumblings, we decided to have generator shows in response to them.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991194\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv plays with Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART Plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Miami didn’t last long, breaking up around 2001. Luv’s addiction to heroin had gotten more serious. He’d moved back to Florida for a time before being convinced to come back to San Francisco. Luv helped operate Mission Records in its near-final days, and played music with friends, but the scene was on its last legs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Miami and its generator shows, to be clear, came from a lineage of Mission punks before them. Half of Miami, after all, had roots in a band that had started four years prior. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Naked Cult of Hickey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Led by \u003ca href=\"https://www.mattyluv.com/\">Matty Luv\u003c/a>, a charismatic, manic frontman dedicated to a DIY anticapitalist interpretation of punk rock, Hickey was the band often called The Naked Cult of Hickey. With best friend Aesop Dekker behind the drum kit, the two produced a controlled chaos that would come to define the band. Originally accompanied by friend Chubby on bass, Hickey became known for confrontational antics and a prolific catalog of music, fueled by members’ use of both methamphetamine and heroin. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hickey burned bright and fast, touring constantly. Their song titles included “Hickey Is About Long Hair and Getting High” and “Everything I Know About Sex I Learned From KISS.” Live shows would often devolve into standoffs with the crowd, where the band might play one or two songs and then rant at the audience.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We would show up with the intention of being a band and playing our fucking songs as good as we could for an adoring crowd,” said Dekker. “A lot of times that would go fucky because the promoter was a dick, or, before we even played, would express how they weren’t going to pay us. Or the bands we were playing with were dicks.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The band’s live sets amplified their view on how punk rock should operate, with the members dedicated to an ethic that rebelled against the intrusion of money and power into their scene.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"766\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991199\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-160x77.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-768x368.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-1536x735.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Hickey’s full-length self-titled LP, and ‘Various States of Disrepair,’ a compilation of songs released posthumously. (Probe Records / Poverty Records)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We hated the fucking corporatization of punk, and we hated people making money off of this. And we were at war with people that didn’t care about this shit,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The chaos that famously propelled the band eventually led to their downfall. During a 1997 U.S. tour, the band decided to break up. The three members had a fight in Tuscon, Arizona, and realized that none of them wanted to continue with the project. After that decision, they felt a shift amongst themselves.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“A weird curse had been lifted, because we went back to our friend’s house and sat under the fire, drank and talked,” said Dekker. “We were friends again, like, this fucking weight had been lifted.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991187\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland (center) during a show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mission Records \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After opening its doors in 1997, Mission Records, run by Adam White and Chris Myers, quickly became a place of refuge. Located at 2548 Mission Street, the shop soon had to move to its more permanent location across the street, on the corner of Mission and 19th, and gradually shifted to exist less as a record store and more as a living space and venue for shows.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It started off as a straight-up business proposition,” said White. “I got a bunch of credit cards. We both borrowed as much money as we could from whoever, and fucking went for it. And then, right away, we started getting decimated as a record store. It was the worst time. CDs were at their peak, and the internet was just starting to take the whole thing and destroy it. And we also didn’t know what the fuck we were doing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As time went on, members of several bands lived at Mission Records, helping volunteer and put on shows. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1535\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991188\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-160x123.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-768x589.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-1536x1179.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘The cops can shut down Mission punk clubs, but not Mission Street’: A flyer for a ‘short, illegal show’ on 22nd and Mission. (Erica Dawn Lyle)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Across the Bay, another wave of bands was gaining traction. Green Day had already signed to a major label and released their massive record \u003cem>Dookie\u003c/em>, and Rancid was taking off. The East Bay and San Francisco punk scenes weren’t completely isolated, and Mission District bands still made their way across the bridge. But in San Francisco, there was a different energy emanating. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Maybe they played faster, maybe they were more confrontational. And maybe it was the drugs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was all benzos,” said Broustis. “You go to Mission Records, and there’d be a band rehearsing there at two in the morning while people are trying to sleep.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Band members got drugs from local corner stores, and used that to fuel their productivity.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We did so much crystal meth in the fucking ’90s, and then it was heroin, and we were also eating lots of pills and drinking a lot — all the things that go with doing tons of crystal meth,” said Dekker. “That’s why we did so much in three years. Because we didn’t fucking sleep.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1319\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991189\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg 1319w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-160x243.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-768x1165.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-1013x1536.jpg 1013w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1319px) 100vw, 1319px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv, and a broken bathtub, at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A sudden shock \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As the drugs took their toll, elements of the scene wound down. Miami broke up, White left Mission Records, and increasingly, cops harassed local punks. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Oct. 5, 2002, Matty Luv, 34, was found dead of a heroin overdose at the Hickey Hotel. He had spent the day helping out at Mission Records, while McClelland and other friends went to a protest against the Iraq war. The group of friends had crossed paths on the way to the protest, and Luv waved hi. It would be the last time many of them would see him. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The next day, a show at Mission Records was turned into a wake. Later, a number of his friends gathered at Dolores Park for his funeral, where \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20180107014931/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/make-sure-there-arent-any-squares-at-my-funeral/Content?oid=2146143\">zines and Hickey records were handed out\u003c/a>, and where Luv was remembered by his friends as funny, prolific and intense.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Learning how to take better care of each other. I think that’s the lesson. And the wisdom of losing him was about really changing. It changed my relationship to what it meant to show up for people in need or in crisis,” said McClelland.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“He was the funniest person I’ve ever met, and I think I was the funniest person he ever met. And when we met, that was our bond, is that we felt the same way ideologically about everything, and we were both funny,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Shortly after Luv’s death, Mission Records closed. White attempted to pass the business on to Buzz Lee, but the finances weren’t there. Dekker had recently found sobriety and become a father. McClelland continued to play in bands, and remains active in activism and harm reduction to this day.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991191\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Erica Dawn Lyle and Aesop Dekker of the punk band Miami play a generator show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Today, a new generation is picking up the torch. San Francisco bands False Flag and Surprise Privilege have played generator shows on the sidewalks in front of \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/228217405293069/posts/1372002734247858/\">the Warfield \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984468/best-concerts-2025-bay-area-live-music\">and the Castro Theatre\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">on a moving BART train\u003c/a>. (Their store \u003ca href=\"https://ihaterecords.com/pages/about-us\">I Hate Records\u003c/a>, in the Lower Haight, carries echoes of Mission Records.) A group known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/outhouse_sf/?hl=en\">Outhouse Collective\u003c/a> puts on their own generator shows, and have been taken under the wing by McClelland.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Last year saw the return of the \u003ca href=\"https://clarionalleymuralproject.org/clarion-alley-block-party/\">Clarion Alley Block Party\u003c/a>, which has largely been organized by McClelland since 1998. In its most recent installment, McClelland brought on members of Outhouse Collective to help organize the day’s live music. The combining of these two forces hints at an intergenerational cross-pollination which McClelland sees as essential for the continuation of the punk community into the future.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have shared visions, we have shared values. We have shared connection through these rad creative and rad political movements,” said McClelland. “When we are able to embrace people across community lines, build solidarity across race, gender, ability, mental health — finding those connections is really, really sacred.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The scene: 16th and Mission BART in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, 1998. Trains careen underground, while above, another kind of noise is happening.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The scene: 16th and Mission BART in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, 1998. Trains careen underground, while above, another kind of noise is happening.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne’s raspy, blues-inflected voice screams out of PAs borrowed from friends, powered by a generator borrowed from other friends. Erica Lyle’s guitar wails into the ether, making its way to Capp Street. Young punks dance, free of harassment. The show is over before anyone really knows it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne’s raspy, blues-inflected voice screams out of PAs borrowed from friends, powered by a generator borrowed from other friends. Erica Lyle’s guitar wails into the ether, making its way to Capp Street. Young punks dance, free of harassment. The show is over before anyone really knows it.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Miami and Shotwell have just played an illegal show at BART.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Miami and Shotwell have just played an illegal show at BART.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You’d roll up. Sometimes I was with whoever had the PA. You would just see punks on the periphery. Nobody was assembled in the plaza exactly. You could just see people around, and as soon as the gear started coming out, everyone would just descend,” said Karoline Collins, a local photographer and roadie for the band \u003ca href=\"https://mattyluv.com/\">Hickey\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“You’d roll up. Sometimes I was with whoever had the PA. You would just see punks on the periphery. Nobody was assembled in the plaza exactly. You could just see people around, and as soon as the gear started coming out, everyone would just descend,” said Karoline Collins, a local photographer and roadie for the band \u003ca href=\"https://mattyluv.com/\">Hickey\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991192,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Karoline Collins",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991192\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland sings with the Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991192\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland sings with the Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This would be one of many illegal generator-powered \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/punk\">punk\u003c/a> shows happening on Mission Street, a tradition that would carry into San Francisco’s present day. While San Francisco’s punk shows of the ’70s and ’80s had taken place in unlikely settings — a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980619/mabuhay-gardens-reopening-sf-punk-club-north-beach\">Filipino restaurant\u003c/a>, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13938024/old-san-francisco-punk-venues-deaf-club-farm-sound-music-tool-die\">social club for the deaf\u003c/a>, literal \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13902953/alternative-voices-1980s-san-francisco-punk-jeanne-hansen-photography-jonah-raskin\">beer vats\u003c/a> — the tradition of guerilla generator shows that flourished in Mission District’s ragged and dedicated punk scene of the ’90s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">continues today with bands like False Flag, Surprise Privilege and WIFE\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This would be one of many illegal generator-powered \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/punk\">punk\u003c/a> shows happening on Mission Street, a tradition that would carry into San Francisco’s present day. While San Francisco’s punk shows of the ’70s and ’80s had taken place in unlikely settings — a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980619/mabuhay-gardens-reopening-sf-punk-club-north-beach\">Filipino restaurant\u003c/a>, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13938024/old-san-francisco-punk-venues-deaf-club-farm-sound-music-tool-die\">social club for the deaf\u003c/a>, literal \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13902953/alternative-voices-1980s-san-francisco-punk-jeanne-hansen-photography-jonah-raskin\">beer vats\u003c/a> — the tradition of guerilla generator shows that flourished in Mission District’s ragged and dedicated punk scene of the ’90s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">continues today with bands like False Flag, Surprise Privilege and WIFE\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/mission-district\">Mission District\u003c/a>’s punk history runs deep, boasting bands like MDC and Jawbreaker, and venues like Tool & Die, Kommotion and Epicenter. But in the late ’90s, something shifted. A new wave of punks dedicated to cheap living, harm reduction and the DIY ethos took over the streets. From 1994 through 2002, bands like Hickey, Shotwell, 50 Million and the aforementioned Miami would creatively resist San Francisco’s then-Mayor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/willie-brown\">Willie Brown\u003c/a> and the powers that be with both music and action.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Their headquarters would become Mission Records, and later 16th and Mission BART Plaza, for amplifying their frustrations with gentrification, war and the police.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/mission-district\">Mission District\u003c/a>’s punk history runs deep, boasting bands like MDC and Jawbreaker, and venues like Tool & Die, Kommotion and Epicenter. But in the late ’90s, something shifted. A new wave of punks dedicated to cheap living, harm reduction and the DIY ethos took over the streets. From 1994 through 2002, bands like Hickey, Shotwell, 50 Million and the aforementioned Miami would creatively resist San Francisco’s then-Mayor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/willie-brown\">Willie Brown\u003c/a> and the powers that be with both music and action.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Their headquarters would become Mission Records, and later 16th and Mission BART Plaza, for amplifying their frustrations with gentrification, war and the police.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The City That Never Sleeps\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The City That Never Sleeps\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne McClelland moved to San Francisco in 1997 after years of moving back and forth, sometimes by hopping trains, between her hometown of Miami and the East Bay as a teenage runaway. Though she’d crossed paths with Bay Area bands like Rancid, Green Day and Blatz, she decided to make San Francisco home thanks to Hickey. That year, McClelland hopped in the band’s van on their final tour, and moved into the band’s squalid apartment, the Hickey Hotel, on 24th Street.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne McClelland moved to San Francisco in 1997 after years of moving back and forth, sometimes by hopping trains, between her hometown of Miami and the East Bay as a teenage runaway. Though she’d crossed paths with Bay Area bands like Rancid, Green Day and Blatz, she decided to make San Francisco home thanks to Hickey. That year, McClelland hopped in the band’s van on their final tour, and moved into the band’s squalid apartment, the Hickey Hotel, on 24th Street.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991186,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Karoline Collins",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991186\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aesop Dekker screenprints Hickey patches in the kitchen at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991186\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aesop Dekker screenprints Hickey patches in the kitchen at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>McClelland had played in bands like the Tri-Rails and Los Canadians, but when she made it to San Francisco, she teamed up with best friend and fellow Floridian Erica Dawn Lyle to start a new band called Miami, bolstered by Dekker and Luv from Hickey.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>McClelland had played in bands like the Tri-Rails and Los Canadians, but when she made it to San Francisco, she teamed up with best friend and fellow Floridian Erica Dawn Lyle to start a new band called Miami, bolstered by Dekker and Luv from Hickey.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>With more and more local venues like Klub Kommotion, Starcleaners Warehouse and Epicenter Records winding down operations, Miami and their longtime friends in the band Shotwell colluded to create a new commotion down Mission Street. Lyle and Broutis decided to host an illegal pop-up show, powered by generators, in front of the defunct Leed’s Shoes building at 22nd and Mission. Borrowing the idea from a band of buskers known as Rube Waddell, the two fueled their iteration with political angst.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>With more and more local venues like Klub Kommotion, Starcleaners Warehouse and Epicenter Records winding down operations, Miami and their longtime friends in the band Shotwell colluded to create a new commotion down Mission Street. Lyle and Broutis decided to host an illegal pop-up show, powered by generators, in front of the defunct Leed’s Shoes building at 22nd and Mission. Borrowing the idea from a band of buskers known as Rube Waddell, the two fueled their iteration with political angst.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The generator shows were a product of when gentrification really ramped up in the Mission,” said McClelland. “There was already this feeling of frustration and upset about all of these DIY show spaces that were targeted and shut down, and in our grumblings, we decided to have generator shows in response to them.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The generator shows were a product of when gentrification really ramped up in the Mission,” said McClelland. “There was already this feeling of frustration and upset about all of these DIY show spaces that were targeted and shut down, and in our grumblings, we decided to have generator shows in response to them.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991194,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Karoline Collins",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991194\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv plays with Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART Plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991194\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv plays with Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART Plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Miami didn’t last long, breaking up around 2001. Luv’s addiction to heroin had gotten more serious. He’d moved back to Florida for a time before being convinced to come back to San Francisco. Luv helped operate Mission Records in its near-final days, and played music with friends, but the scene was on its last legs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Miami didn’t last long, breaking up around 2001. Luv’s addiction to heroin had gotten more serious. He’d moved back to Florida for a time before being convinced to come back to San Francisco. Luv helped operate Mission Records in its near-final days, and played music with friends, but the scene was on its last legs.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Miami and its generator shows, to be clear, came from a lineage of Mission punks before them. Half of Miami, after all, had roots in a band that had started four years prior. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Miami and its generator shows, to be clear, came from a lineage of Mission punks before them. Half of Miami, after all, had roots in a band that had started four years prior. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Naked Cult of Hickey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Naked Cult of Hickey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Led by \u003ca href=\"https://www.mattyluv.com/\">Matty Luv\u003c/a>, a charismatic, manic frontman dedicated to a DIY anticapitalist interpretation of punk rock, Hickey was the band often called The Naked Cult of Hickey. With best friend Aesop Dekker behind the drum kit, the two produced a controlled chaos that would come to define the band. Originally accompanied by friend Chubby on bass, Hickey became known for confrontational antics and a prolific catalog of music, fueled by members’ use of both methamphetamine and heroin. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Led by \u003ca href=\"https://www.mattyluv.com/\">Matty Luv\u003c/a>, a charismatic, manic frontman dedicated to a DIY anticapitalist interpretation of punk rock, Hickey was the band often called The Naked Cult of Hickey. With best friend Aesop Dekker behind the drum kit, the two produced a controlled chaos that would come to define the band. Originally accompanied by friend Chubby on bass, Hickey became known for confrontational antics and a prolific catalog of music, fueled by members’ use of both methamphetamine and heroin. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_13988656"
],
"labelWasCleared": true,
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hickey burned bright and fast, touring constantly. Their song titles included “Hickey Is About Long Hair and Getting High” and “Everything I Know About Sex I Learned From KISS.” Live shows would often devolve into standoffs with the crowd, where the band might play one or two songs and then rant at the audience.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Hickey burned bright and fast, touring constantly. Their song titles included “Hickey Is About Long Hair and Getting High” and “Everything I Know About Sex I Learned From KISS.” Live shows would often devolve into standoffs with the crowd, where the band might play one or two songs and then rant at the audience.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We would show up with the intention of being a band and playing our fucking songs as good as we could for an adoring crowd,” said Dekker. “A lot of times that would go fucky because the promoter was a dick, or, before we even played, would express how they weren’t going to pay us. Or the bands we were playing with were dicks.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We would show up with the intention of being a band and playing our fucking songs as good as we could for an adoring crowd,” said Dekker. “A lot of times that would go fucky because the promoter was a dick, or, before we even played, would express how they weren’t going to pay us. Or the bands we were playing with were dicks.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The band’s live sets amplified their view on how punk rock should operate, with the members dedicated to an ethic that rebelled against the intrusion of money and power into their scene.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The band’s live sets amplified their view on how punk rock should operate, with the members dedicated to an ethic that rebelled against the intrusion of money and power into their scene.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991199,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Probe Records / Poverty Records",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-160x77.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-768x368.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-1536x735.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991199\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-160x77.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-768x368.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-1536x735.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Hickey’s full-length self-titled LP, and ‘Various States of Disrepair,’ a compilation of songs released posthumously. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991199\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Hickey’s full-length self-titled LP, and ‘Various States of Disrepair,’ a compilation of songs released posthumously. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We hated the fucking corporatization of punk, and we hated people making money off of this. And we were at war with people that didn’t care about this shit,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We hated the fucking corporatization of punk, and we hated people making money off of this. And we were at war with people that didn’t care about this shit,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The chaos that famously propelled the band eventually led to their downfall. During a 1997 U.S. tour, the band decided to break up. The three members had a fight in Tuscon, Arizona, and realized that none of them wanted to continue with the project. After that decision, they felt a shift amongst themselves.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The chaos that famously propelled the band eventually led to their downfall. During a 1997 U.S. tour, the band decided to break up. The three members had a fight in Tuscon, Arizona, and realized that none of them wanted to continue with the project. After that decision, they felt a shift amongst themselves.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“A weird curse had been lifted, because we went back to our friend’s house and sat under the fire, drank and talked,” said Dekker. “We were friends again, like, this fucking weight had been lifted.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“A weird curse had been lifted, because we went back to our friend’s house and sat under the fire, drank and talked,” said Dekker. “We were friends again, like, this fucking weight had been lifted.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991187,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Karoline Collins",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991187\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland (center) during a show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991187\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland (center) during a show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mission Records \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mission Records \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After opening its doors in 1997, Mission Records, run by Adam White and Chris Myers, quickly became a place of refuge. Located at 2548 Mission Street, the shop soon had to move to its more permanent location across the street, on the corner of Mission and 19th, and gradually shifted to exist less as a record store and more as a living space and venue for shows.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>After opening its doors in 1997, Mission Records, run by Adam White and Chris Myers, quickly became a place of refuge. Located at 2548 Mission Street, the shop soon had to move to its more permanent location across the street, on the corner of Mission and 19th, and gradually shifted to exist less as a record store and more as a living space and venue for shows.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It started off as a straight-up business proposition,” said White. “I got a bunch of credit cards. We both borrowed as much money as we could from whoever, and fucking went for it. And then, right away, we started getting decimated as a record store. It was the worst time. CDs were at their peak, and the internet was just starting to take the whole thing and destroy it. And we also didn’t know what the fuck we were doing.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It started off as a straight-up business proposition,” said White. “I got a bunch of credit cards. We both borrowed as much money as we could from whoever, and fucking went for it. And then, right away, we started getting decimated as a record store. It was the worst time. CDs were at their peak, and the internet was just starting to take the whole thing and destroy it. And we also didn’t know what the fuck we were doing.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As time went on, members of several bands lived at Mission Records, helping volunteer and put on shows. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As time went on, members of several bands lived at Mission Records, helping volunteer and put on shows. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991188,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Erica Dawn Lyle",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-160x123.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-768x589.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-1536x1179.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991188\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-160x123.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-768x589.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-1536x1179.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘The cops can shut down Mission punk clubs, but not Mission Street’: A flyer for a ‘short, illegal show’ on 22nd and Mission. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991188\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘The cops can shut down Mission punk clubs, but not Mission Street’: A flyer for a ‘short, illegal show’ on 22nd and Mission. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Across the Bay, another wave of bands was gaining traction. Green Day had already signed to a major label and released their massive record \u003cem>Dookie\u003c/em>, and Rancid was taking off. The East Bay and San Francisco punk scenes weren’t completely isolated, and Mission District bands still made their way across the bridge. But in San Francisco, there was a different energy emanating. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Across the Bay, another wave of bands was gaining traction. Green Day had already signed to a major label and released their massive record \u003cem>Dookie\u003c/em>, and Rancid was taking off. The East Bay and San Francisco punk scenes weren’t completely isolated, and Mission District bands still made their way across the bridge. But in San Francisco, there was a different energy emanating. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Maybe they played faster, maybe they were more confrontational. And maybe it was the drugs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Maybe they played faster, maybe they were more confrontational. And maybe it was the drugs.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It was all benzos,” said Broustis. “You go to Mission Records, and there’d be a band rehearsing there at two in the morning while people are trying to sleep.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It was all benzos,” said Broustis. “You go to Mission Records, and there’d be a band rehearsing there at two in the morning while people are trying to sleep.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Band members got drugs from local corner stores, and used that to fuel their productivity.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Band members got drugs from local corner stores, and used that to fuel their productivity.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We did so much crystal meth in the fucking ’90s, and then it was heroin, and we were also eating lots of pills and drinking a lot — all the things that go with doing tons of crystal meth,” said Dekker. “That’s why we did so much in three years. Because we didn’t fucking sleep.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We did so much crystal meth in the fucking ’90s, and then it was heroin, and we were also eating lots of pills and drinking a lot — all the things that go with doing tons of crystal meth,” said Dekker. “That’s why we did so much in three years. Because we didn’t fucking sleep.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991189,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Karoline Collins",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg 1319w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-160x243.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-768x1165.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-1013x1536.jpg 1013w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991189\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg 1319w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-160x243.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-768x1165.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-1013x1536.jpg 1013w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv, and a broken bathtub, at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991189\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv, and a broken bathtub, at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A sudden shock \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A sudden shock \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As the drugs took their toll, elements of the scene wound down. Miami broke up, White left Mission Records, and increasingly, cops harassed local punks. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As the drugs took their toll, elements of the scene wound down. Miami broke up, White left Mission Records, and increasingly, cops harassed local punks. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On Oct. 5, 2002, Matty Luv, 34, was found dead of a heroin overdose at the Hickey Hotel. He had spent the day helping out at Mission Records, while McClelland and other friends went to a protest against the Iraq war. The group of friends had crossed paths on the way to the protest, and Luv waved hi. It would be the last time many of them would see him. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>On Oct. 5, 2002, Matty Luv, 34, was found dead of a heroin overdose at the Hickey Hotel. He had spent the day helping out at Mission Records, while McClelland and other friends went to a protest against the Iraq war. The group of friends had crossed paths on the way to the protest, and Luv waved hi. It would be the last time many of them would see him. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The next day, a show at Mission Records was turned into a wake. Later, a number of his friends gathered at Dolores Park for his funeral, where \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20180107014931/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/make-sure-there-arent-any-squares-at-my-funeral/Content?oid=2146143\">zines and Hickey records were handed out\u003c/a>, and where Luv was remembered by his friends as funny, prolific and intense.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The next day, a show at Mission Records was turned into a wake. Later, a number of his friends gathered at Dolores Park for his funeral, where \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20180107014931/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/make-sure-there-arent-any-squares-at-my-funeral/Content?oid=2146143\">zines and Hickey records were handed out\u003c/a>, and where Luv was remembered by his friends as funny, prolific and intense.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_13979518"
],
"labelWasCleared": true,
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Learning how to take better care of each other. I think that’s the lesson. And the wisdom of losing him was about really changing. It changed my relationship to what it meant to show up for people in need or in crisis,” said McClelland.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Learning how to take better care of each other. I think that’s the lesson. And the wisdom of losing him was about really changing. It changed my relationship to what it meant to show up for people in need or in crisis,” said McClelland.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“He was the funniest person I’ve ever met, and I think I was the funniest person he ever met. And when we met, that was our bond, is that we felt the same way ideologically about everything, and we were both funny,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“He was the funniest person I’ve ever met, and I think I was the funniest person he ever met. And when we met, that was our bond, is that we felt the same way ideologically about everything, and we were both funny,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Shortly after Luv’s death, Mission Records closed. White attempted to pass the business on to Buzz Lee, but the finances weren’t there. Dekker had recently found sobriety and become a father. McClelland continued to play in bands, and remains active in activism and harm reduction to this day.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Shortly after Luv’s death, Mission Records closed. White attempted to pass the business on to Buzz Lee, but the finances weren’t there. Dekker had recently found sobriety and become a father. McClelland continued to play in bands, and remains active in activism and harm reduction to this day.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991191,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Karoline Collins",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991191\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Erica Dawn Lyle and Aesop Dekker of the punk band Miami play a generator show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991191\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Erica Dawn Lyle and Aesop Dekker of the punk band Miami play a generator show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Today, a new generation is picking up the torch. San Francisco bands False Flag and Surprise Privilege have played generator shows on the sidewalks in front of \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/228217405293069/posts/1372002734247858/\">the Warfield \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984468/best-concerts-2025-bay-area-live-music\">and the Castro Theatre\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">on a moving BART train\u003c/a>. (Their store \u003ca href=\"https://ihaterecords.com/pages/about-us\">I Hate Records\u003c/a>, in the Lower Haight, carries echoes of Mission Records.) A group known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/outhouse_sf/?hl=en\">Outhouse Collective\u003c/a> puts on their own generator shows, and have been taken under the wing by McClelland.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Today, a new generation is picking up the torch. San Francisco bands False Flag and Surprise Privilege have played generator shows on the sidewalks in front of \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/228217405293069/posts/1372002734247858/\">the Warfield \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984468/best-concerts-2025-bay-area-live-music\">and the Castro Theatre\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">on a moving BART train\u003c/a>. (Their store \u003ca href=\"https://ihaterecords.com/pages/about-us\">I Hate Records\u003c/a>, in the Lower Haight, carries echoes of Mission Records.) A group known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/outhouse_sf/?hl=en\">Outhouse Collective\u003c/a> puts on their own generator shows, and have been taken under the wing by McClelland.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Last year saw the return of the \u003ca href=\"https://clarionalleymuralproject.org/clarion-alley-block-party/\">Clarion Alley Block Party\u003c/a>, which has largely been organized by McClelland since 1998. In its most recent installment, McClelland brought on members of Outhouse Collective to help organize the day’s live music. The combining of these two forces hints at an intergenerational cross-pollination which McClelland sees as essential for the continuation of the punk community into the future.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Last year saw the return of the \u003ca href=\"https://clarionalleymuralproject.org/clarion-alley-block-party/\">Clarion Alley Block Party\u003c/a>, which has largely been organized by McClelland since 1998. In its most recent installment, McClelland brought on members of Outhouse Collective to help organize the day’s live music. The combining of these two forces hints at an intergenerational cross-pollination which McClelland sees as essential for the continuation of the punk community into the future.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We have shared visions, we have shared values. We have shared connection through these rad creative and rad political movements,” said McClelland. “When we are able to embrace people across community lines, build solidarity across race, gender, ability, mental health — finding those connections is really, really sacred.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We have shared visions, we have shared values. We have shared connection through these rad creative and rad political movements,” said McClelland. “When we are able to embrace people across community lines, build solidarity across race, gender, ability, mental health — finding those connections is really, really sacred.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "From 1994–2002, a group of scrappy punks forged a template for today's guerrilla shows in San Francisco.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1783440944,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 42,
"wordCount": 2141
},
"headData": {
"title": "When Generator Punk Shows Ruled the Mission District | KQED",
"description": "From 1994–2002, a group of scrappy punks forged a template for today's guerrilla shows in San Francisco.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "When Generator Punk Shows Ruled the Mission District",
"datePublished": "2026-06-30T10:55:01-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-07T09:15:44-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "Trevor Schock",
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991166",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991166/mission-district-punk-generator-shows-san-francisco",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The scene: 16th and Mission BART in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, 1998. Trains careen underground, while above, another kind of noise is happening.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne’s raspy, blues-inflected voice screams out of PAs borrowed from friends, powered by a generator borrowed from other friends. Erica Lyle’s guitar wails into the ether, making its way to Capp Street. Young punks dance, free of harassment. The show is over before anyone really knows it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Miami and Shotwell have just played an illegal show at BART.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You’d roll up. Sometimes I was with whoever had the PA. You would just see punks on the periphery. Nobody was assembled in the plaza exactly. You could just see people around, and as soon as the gear started coming out, everyone would just descend,” said Karoline Collins, a local photographer and roadie for the band \u003ca href=\"https://mattyluv.com/\">Hickey\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991192\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-9-Ivy-Pointing_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland sings with the Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This would be one of many illegal generator-powered \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/punk\">punk\u003c/a> shows happening on Mission Street, a tradition that would carry into San Francisco’s present day. While San Francisco’s punk shows of the ’70s and ’80s had taken place in unlikely settings — a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980619/mabuhay-gardens-reopening-sf-punk-club-north-beach\">Filipino restaurant\u003c/a>, a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13938024/old-san-francisco-punk-venues-deaf-club-farm-sound-music-tool-die\">social club for the deaf\u003c/a>, literal \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13902953/alternative-voices-1980s-san-francisco-punk-jeanne-hansen-photography-jonah-raskin\">beer vats\u003c/a> — the tradition of guerilla generator shows that flourished in Mission District’s ragged and dedicated punk scene of the ’90s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">continues today with bands like False Flag, Surprise Privilege and WIFE\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/mission-district\">Mission District\u003c/a>’s punk history runs deep, boasting bands like MDC and Jawbreaker, and venues like Tool & Die, Kommotion and Epicenter. But in the late ’90s, something shifted. A new wave of punks dedicated to cheap living, harm reduction and the DIY ethos took over the streets. From 1994 through 2002, bands like Hickey, Shotwell, 50 Million and the aforementioned Miami would creatively resist San Francisco’s then-Mayor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/willie-brown\">Willie Brown\u003c/a> and the powers that be with both music and action.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Their headquarters would become Mission Records, and later 16th and Mission BART Plaza, for amplifying their frustrations with gentrification, war and the police.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The City That Never Sleeps\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ivy Jeanne McClelland moved to San Francisco in 1997 after years of moving back and forth, sometimes by hopping trains, between her hometown of Miami and the East Bay as a teenage runaway. Though she’d crossed paths with Bay Area bands like Rancid, Green Day and Blatz, she decided to make San Francisco home thanks to Hickey. That year, McClelland hopped in the band’s van on their final tour, and moved into the band’s squalid apartment, the Hickey Hotel, on 24th Street.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991186\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Aesop-Kitchen-Patches_1996_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aesop Dekker screenprints Hickey patches in the kitchen at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McClelland had played in bands like the Tri-Rails and Los Canadians, but when she made it to San Francisco, she teamed up with best friend and fellow Floridian Erica Dawn Lyle to start a new band called Miami, bolstered by Dekker and Luv from Hickey.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With more and more local venues like Klub Kommotion, Starcleaners Warehouse and Epicenter Records winding down operations, Miami and their longtime friends in the band Shotwell colluded to create a new commotion down Mission Street. Lyle and Broutis decided to host an illegal pop-up show, powered by generators, in front of the defunct Leed’s Shoes building at 22nd and Mission. Borrowing the idea from a band of buskers known as Rube Waddell, the two fueled their iteration with political angst.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The generator shows were a product of when gentrification really ramped up in the Mission,” said McClelland. “There was already this feeling of frustration and upset about all of these DIY show spaces that were targeted and shut down, and in our grumblings, we decided to have generator shows in response to them.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991194\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Miami-7-Matty_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv plays with Mission District punk band Miami at 16th and Mission BART Plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Miami didn’t last long, breaking up around 2001. Luv’s addiction to heroin had gotten more serious. He’d moved back to Florida for a time before being convinced to come back to San Francisco. Luv helped operate Mission Records in its near-final days, and played music with friends, but the scene was on its last legs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Miami and its generator shows, to be clear, came from a lineage of Mission punks before them. Half of Miami, after all, had roots in a band that had started four years prior. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Naked Cult of Hickey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Led by \u003ca href=\"https://www.mattyluv.com/\">Matty Luv\u003c/a>, a charismatic, manic frontman dedicated to a DIY anticapitalist interpretation of punk rock, Hickey was the band often called The Naked Cult of Hickey. With best friend Aesop Dekker behind the drum kit, the two produced a controlled chaos that would come to define the band. Originally accompanied by friend Chubby on bass, Hickey became known for confrontational antics and a prolific catalog of music, fueled by members’ use of both methamphetamine and heroin. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hickey burned bright and fast, touring constantly. Their song titles included “Hickey Is About Long Hair and Getting High” and “Everything I Know About Sex I Learned From KISS.” Live shows would often devolve into standoffs with the crowd, where the band might play one or two songs and then rant at the audience.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We would show up with the intention of being a band and playing our fucking songs as good as we could for an adoring crowd,” said Dekker. “A lot of times that would go fucky because the promoter was a dick, or, before we even played, would express how they weren’t going to pay us. Or the bands we were playing with were dicks.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The band’s live sets amplified their view on how punk rock should operate, with the members dedicated to an ethic that rebelled against the intrusion of money and power into their scene.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"766\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991199\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-160x77.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-768x368.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/HickeyLPs-1536x735.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Hickey’s full-length self-titled LP, and ‘Various States of Disrepair,’ a compilation of songs released posthumously. (Probe Records / Poverty Records)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We hated the fucking corporatization of punk, and we hated people making money off of this. And we were at war with people that didn’t care about this shit,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The chaos that famously propelled the band eventually led to their downfall. During a 1997 U.S. tour, the band decided to break up. The three members had a fight in Tuscon, Arizona, and realized that none of them wanted to continue with the project. After that decision, they felt a shift amongst themselves.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“A weird curse had been lifted, because we went back to our friend’s house and sat under the fire, drank and talked,” said Dekker. “We were friends again, like, this fucking weight had been lifted.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991187\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 1326w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x241.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x1158.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Ivy-in-Crowd-cool-hands_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1018x1536.jpg 1018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ivy McClelland (center) during a show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mission Records \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After opening its doors in 1997, Mission Records, run by Adam White and Chris Myers, quickly became a place of refuge. Located at 2548 Mission Street, the shop soon had to move to its more permanent location across the street, on the corner of Mission and 19th, and gradually shifted to exist less as a record store and more as a living space and venue for shows.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It started off as a straight-up business proposition,” said White. “I got a bunch of credit cards. We both borrowed as much money as we could from whoever, and fucking went for it. And then, right away, we started getting decimated as a record store. It was the worst time. CDs were at their peak, and the internet was just starting to take the whole thing and destroy it. And we also didn’t know what the fuck we were doing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As time went on, members of several bands lived at Mission Records, helping volunteer and put on shows. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1535\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991188\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-160x123.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-768x589.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/liveatleedsflier-1536x1179.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘The cops can shut down Mission punk clubs, but not Mission Street’: A flyer for a ‘short, illegal show’ on 22nd and Mission. (Erica Dawn Lyle)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Across the Bay, another wave of bands was gaining traction. Green Day had already signed to a major label and released their massive record \u003cem>Dookie\u003c/em>, and Rancid was taking off. The East Bay and San Francisco punk scenes weren’t completely isolated, and Mission District bands still made their way across the bridge. But in San Francisco, there was a different energy emanating. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Maybe they played faster, maybe they were more confrontational. And maybe it was the drugs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was all benzos,” said Broustis. “You go to Mission Records, and there’d be a band rehearsing there at two in the morning while people are trying to sleep.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Band members got drugs from local corner stores, and used that to fuel their productivity.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We did so much crystal meth in the fucking ’90s, and then it was heroin, and we were also eating lots of pills and drinking a lot — all the things that go with doing tons of crystal meth,” said Dekker. “That’s why we did so much in three years. Because we didn’t fucking sleep.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1319\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991189\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC.jpg 1319w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-160x243.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-768x1165.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/LOW-RES-Matty_Broken-Tub_Hickey-Hotel_KHC-1013x1536.jpg 1013w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1319px) 100vw, 1319px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matty Luv, and a broken bathtub, at the Hickey Hotel, circa mid-1990s. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A sudden shock \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As the drugs took their toll, elements of the scene wound down. Miami broke up, White left Mission Records, and increasingly, cops harassed local punks. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Oct. 5, 2002, Matty Luv, 34, was found dead of a heroin overdose at the Hickey Hotel. He had spent the day helping out at Mission Records, while McClelland and other friends went to a protest against the Iraq war. The group of friends had crossed paths on the way to the protest, and Luv waved hi. It would be the last time many of them would see him. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The next day, a show at Mission Records was turned into a wake. Later, a number of his friends gathered at Dolores Park for his funeral, where \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20180107014931/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/make-sure-there-arent-any-squares-at-my-funeral/Content?oid=2146143\">zines and Hickey records were handed out\u003c/a>, and where Luv was remembered by his friends as funny, prolific and intense.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Learning how to take better care of each other. I think that’s the lesson. And the wisdom of losing him was about really changing. It changed my relationship to what it meant to show up for people in need or in crisis,” said McClelland.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“He was the funniest person I’ve ever met, and I think I was the funniest person he ever met. And when we met, that was our bond, is that we felt the same way ideologically about everything, and we were both funny,” said Dekker.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Shortly after Luv’s death, Mission Records closed. White attempted to pass the business on to Buzz Lee, but the finances weren’t there. Dekker had recently found sobriety and become a father. McClelland continued to play in bands, and remains active in activism and harm reduction to this day.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991191\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Erica-Aesop_BART-Show_Karoline-Hanson-Collins-1536x1018.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L–R) Erica Dawn Lyle and Aesop Dekker of the punk band Miami play a generator show at 16th and Mission BART plaza, circa 2000. (Karoline Collins)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Today, a new generation is picking up the torch. San Francisco bands False Flag and Surprise Privilege have played generator shows on the sidewalks in front of \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/228217405293069/posts/1372002734247858/\">the Warfield \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984468/best-concerts-2025-bay-area-live-music\">and the Castro Theatre\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923420/punk-show-on-bart\">on a moving BART train\u003c/a>. (Their store \u003ca href=\"https://ihaterecords.com/pages/about-us\">I Hate Records\u003c/a>, in the Lower Haight, carries echoes of Mission Records.) A group known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/outhouse_sf/?hl=en\">Outhouse Collective\u003c/a> puts on their own generator shows, and have been taken under the wing by McClelland.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Last year saw the return of the \u003ca href=\"https://clarionalleymuralproject.org/clarion-alley-block-party/\">Clarion Alley Block Party\u003c/a>, which has largely been organized by McClelland since 1998. In its most recent installment, McClelland brought on members of Outhouse Collective to help organize the day’s live music. The combining of these two forces hints at an intergenerational cross-pollination which McClelland sees as essential for the continuation of the punk community into the future.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have shared visions, we have shared values. We have shared connection through these rad creative and rad political movements,” said McClelland. “When we are able to embrace people across community lines, build solidarity across race, gender, ability, mental health — finding those connections is really, really sacred.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991166/mission-district-punk-generator-shows-san-francisco",
"authors": [
"byline_arts_13991166"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_7862",
"arts_69",
"arts_235"
],
"tags": [
"arts_9964",
"arts_10342",
"arts_10278",
"arts_1257",
"arts_913",
"arts_1146"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991185",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13991008": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991008",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991008",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782762016000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "kaleena-zanders-san-jose-dance-music",
"title": "For San José’s Kaleena Zanders, Dance Music Is ‘a Magical Experience’",
"publishDate": 1782762016,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "For San José’s Kaleena Zanders, Dance Music Is ‘a Magical Experience’ | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>As \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kaleenazanders/?hl=en\">Kaleena Zanders\u003c/a>’ song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31i2vFa7r8s\">The Light\u003c/a>” blasted through my headphones, I pedaled faster.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Soundtracked by energetic hi-hats, symphonic strings, a bass line from the underworld and Zanders’ heavenly vocals, my bike ride became a spiritual experience. And I’m clearly not the only one moved by Zanders’ music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For more than a decade, Zanders has played nightclubs and festivals, and even once had a song featured in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ispot.tv/ad/waIE/toyota-super-bowl-2018-good-odds-song-by-kaleena-zanders\">a Super Bowl Toyota commercial\u003c/a>. Her debut album \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/0clTTK9wSXFKpTTtGq2sun\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>\u003c/em> dropped last month. It’s been highlighted by \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/up-coming-dance-artist-of-month-kaleena-zanders-april-2026-1236230807/\">Billboard\u003c/a>,\u003c/em> with two of its songs, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDfP41vP8dQ\">Stronger Than Machines\u003c/a>” and “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1dPFBPt1_M\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>,” spotlighted by ESPN.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg\" alt=\"A person standing behind a DJ table at a crowded outdoors event.\" class=\"wp-image-13991110\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2024, grew up playing sports and frequenting Hot Topic in San José. (Harp Digital Media)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As Zanders launches \u003ca href=\"https://www.kaleenazanders.com/tour\">a multiple-city tour\u003c/a> with stops across the United States and Canada, she gives credit to her upbringing in San José for making it possible.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emo fits and musical theater\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I ended up going to Independence High School,” Zanders tells me during a recent video call, “and I played a ton of sports.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a teenage basketball and rugby player, Zanders also got deep into her emo bag with fits from Hot Topic at Eastridge Mall, across the street from where she lived. While fashion and athletics were important, art proved significant in her upbringing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Musical theater was a huge part of my life,” says Zanders, who took classes at the \u003ca href=\"https://sanjoseacademyofmusic.com/san-jose-childrens-chorus/\">San Jose Children’s Choir \u003c/a>from the age of 8 to the age of 11. She had no problem singing to herself, but Zanders was a shy about appearing on stage.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was really caught off guard that my mom would put me in these musical theater classes,” Zanders reflects. But it all makes sense now. “I remember coming alive on stage,” Zanders says. “I get it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mO0mYdan3w\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Having a musical outlet proved vital as she navigated her teenage years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Understanding that I’m queer,” says Zanders, “that was actually pretty hard for me in high school.” So she leaned into music, practicing on a piano in her mom’s garage, and eventually taking guitar lessons — which got her into rock music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In college, Zanders played in a band, Moulder’s Lounge, which she calls “the most euphoric, life-changing experience.” The band allowed her to combine musical theater, instrumentation and rock music, and would’ve been big, Zanders believes, if they’d stayed together.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Zanders eventually moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Musicians Institute. One day, while she was working at Trader Joe’s in Hollywood, a friend told her about a DJ who needed someone to provide vocals for an EDM track. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t the kind of kid that could go out and rave,” Zanders says with a laugh; her mother wouldn’t have allowed it. “I literally knew nothing of rave culture,” she says. But she quickly learned.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg\" alt=\"The crowd's view of a person standing behind the DJ tables.\" class=\"wp-image-13991111\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘I make music that’s rooted in love,’ says Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at Outside Lands in 2024. (Harp Digital Media)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Big diva vocals’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Zanders now plays in nightclubs as well as sports arenas. They’re two very different settings, except that both are male-dominated. Simply by being present in those spaces, Zanders tells me, “as a woman, as a Black woman, as a queer woman, I naturally am gonna make some sort of statement. I don’t even need to say anything.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pivoting from writing verses and choruses of rock lyrics to short top-lines for dance anthems wasn’t easy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Simplifying her lyrics felt like “it was like a diss to the art,” Zanders says. “I’m like, ‘What do you mean you only need one or two lines?’” But after digging deeper into the history of dance, and the work of artists like \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_S.\">Robin S.\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonique_(musician)\">Sonique\u003c/a>, Zanders understood the power of “big diva vocals.” With only a few choice lyrics, Zanders affirms, one can “still very much understand, in a potent way, what the song is about.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Featuring Shift K3Y, Bipolar Sunshine and Hayley May, each of the seven songs on \u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> pack in a load of emotions and storytelling. Even the album name has multiple meanings.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMl_XIjVAsg\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Heartbroken after an acquaintance stole something of hers, it hit Zanders that life is a free-for-all with no rules, for better or for worse.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Look at these motherfuckers, they’re out here just stealing shit,” she says. “Okay, fuck! Let me have the audacity to do what I wanna do, which is \u003cem>good\u003c/em> stuff. But let me not be afraid, because these people aren’t afraid.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A family lineage\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> could also describe Zanders herself. She’s an athletic pianist and former mohawked rocker who loves pop music and sings like gospel is in her blood. She also benefited from her mother’s guidance, inherited her’s father’s vocal abilities and stands on the shoulders of her grandmother.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“She was a prolific piano player,” Zanders says of her grandmother, a choir director who died when Zanders was just an infant but who left behind a trove of archival recordings. “Hearing that,” Zanders explains, “made me think, ‘Oh, okay, this is where some of my musical abilities come from.'”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Zanders does not claim any one faith. But whether her music’s blasting through a sound system in a New York nightclub, playing at an outdoors festival in Canada or slapping in the headphones of a journalist riding a bike in California, the spiritual element is evident.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Dance music,” Zanders professes, “it can be a magical experience.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Kaleena Zanders performs Friday, July 17 as part of the three-day Dirtybird Cookout and Northern Nights musical festival in Piercy, California. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/northernnights/events/dirtybird-campout-x-northern-nights-music-festival-2026-160064\">Tickets and more details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kaleenazanders/?hl=en\">Kaleena Zanders\u003c/a>’ song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31i2vFa7r8s\">The Light\u003c/a>” blasted through my headphones, I pedaled faster.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kaleenazanders/?hl=en\">Kaleena Zanders\u003c/a>’ song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31i2vFa7r8s\">The Light\u003c/a>” blasted through my headphones, I pedaled faster.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Soundtracked by energetic hi-hats, symphonic strings, a bass line from the underworld and Zanders’ heavenly vocals, my bike ride became a spiritual experience. And I’m clearly not the only one moved by Zanders’ music.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Soundtracked by energetic hi-hats, symphonic strings, a bass line from the underworld and Zanders’ heavenly vocals, my bike ride became a spiritual experience. And I’m clearly not the only one moved by Zanders’ music.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For more than a decade, Zanders has played nightclubs and festivals, and even once had a song featured in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ispot.tv/ad/waIE/toyota-super-bowl-2018-good-odds-song-by-kaleena-zanders\">a Super Bowl Toyota commercial\u003c/a>. Her debut album \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/0clTTK9wSXFKpTTtGq2sun\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>\u003c/em> dropped last month. It’s been highlighted by \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/up-coming-dance-artist-of-month-kaleena-zanders-april-2026-1236230807/\">Billboard\u003c/a>,\u003c/em> with two of its songs, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDfP41vP8dQ\">Stronger Than Machines\u003c/a>” and “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1dPFBPt1_M\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>,” spotlighted by ESPN.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For more than a decade, Zanders has played nightclubs and festivals, and even once had a song featured in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ispot.tv/ad/waIE/toyota-super-bowl-2018-good-odds-song-by-kaleena-zanders\">a Super Bowl Toyota commercial\u003c/a>. Her debut album \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/0clTTK9wSXFKpTTtGq2sun\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>\u003c/em> dropped last month. It’s been highlighted by \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/up-coming-dance-artist-of-month-kaleena-zanders-april-2026-1236230807/\">Billboard\u003c/a>,\u003c/em> with two of its songs, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDfP41vP8dQ\">Stronger Than Machines\u003c/a>” and “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1dPFBPt1_M\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>,” spotlighted by ESPN.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991110,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Harp Digital Media",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-1536x1025.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg\" alt=\"A person standing behind a DJ table at a crowded outdoors event.\" class=\"wp-image-13991110\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2024, grew up playing sports and frequenting Hot Topic in San José.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg\" alt=\"A person standing behind a DJ table at a crowded outdoors event.\" class=\"wp-image-13991110\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2024, grew up playing sports and frequenting Hot Topic in San José.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As Zanders launches \u003ca href=\"https://www.kaleenazanders.com/tour\">a multiple-city tour\u003c/a> with stops across the United States and Canada, she gives credit to her upbringing in San José for making it possible.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As Zanders launches \u003ca href=\"https://www.kaleenazanders.com/tour\">a multiple-city tour\u003c/a> with stops across the United States and Canada, she gives credit to her upbringing in San José for making it possible.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Emo fits and musical theater",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emo fits and musical theater\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emo fits and musical theater\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I ended up going to Independence High School,” Zanders tells me during a recent video call, “and I played a ton of sports.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I ended up going to Independence High School,” Zanders tells me during a recent video call, “and I played a ton of sports.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a teenage basketball and rugby player, Zanders also got deep into her emo bag with fits from Hot Topic at Eastridge Mall, across the street from where she lived. While fashion and athletics were important, art proved significant in her upbringing.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As a teenage basketball and rugby player, Zanders also got deep into her emo bag with fits from Hot Topic at Eastridge Mall, across the street from where she lived. While fashion and athletics were important, art proved significant in her upbringing.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Musical theater was a huge part of my life,” says Zanders, who took classes at the \u003ca href=\"https://sanjoseacademyofmusic.com/san-jose-childrens-chorus/\">San Jose Children’s Choir \u003c/a>from the age of 8 to the age of 11. She had no problem singing to herself, but Zanders was a shy about appearing on stage.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Musical theater was a huge part of my life,” says Zanders, who took classes at the \u003ca href=\"https://sanjoseacademyofmusic.com/san-jose-childrens-chorus/\">San Jose Children’s Choir \u003c/a>from the age of 8 to the age of 11. She had no problem singing to herself, but Zanders was a shy about appearing on stage.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I was really caught off guard that my mom would put me in these musical theater classes,” Zanders reflects. But it all makes sense now. “I remember coming alive on stage,” Zanders says. “I get it.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I was really caught off guard that my mom would put me in these musical theater classes,” Zanders reflects. But it all makes sense now. “I remember coming alive on stage,” Zanders says. “I get it.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/embed",
"attrs": {
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mO0mYdan3w",
"type": "video",
"providerNameSlug": "youtube",
"responsive": true,
"className": "wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mO0mYdan3w\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mO0mYdan3w\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Having a musical outlet proved vital as she navigated her teenage years.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Having a musical outlet proved vital as she navigated her teenage years.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Understanding that I’m queer,” says Zanders, “that was actually pretty hard for me in high school.” So she leaned into music, practicing on a piano in her mom’s garage, and eventually taking guitar lessons — which got her into rock music.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Understanding that I’m queer,” says Zanders, “that was actually pretty hard for me in high school.” So she leaned into music, practicing on a piano in her mom’s garage, and eventually taking guitar lessons — which got her into rock music.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In college, Zanders played in a band, Moulder’s Lounge, which she calls “the most euphoric, life-changing experience.” The band allowed her to combine musical theater, instrumentation and rock music, and would’ve been big, Zanders believes, if they’d stayed together.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In college, Zanders played in a band, Moulder’s Lounge, which she calls “the most euphoric, life-changing experience.” The band allowed her to combine musical theater, instrumentation and rock music, and would’ve been big, Zanders believes, if they’d stayed together.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Zanders eventually moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Musicians Institute. One day, while she was working at Trader Joe’s in Hollywood, a friend told her about a DJ who needed someone to provide vocals for an EDM track. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Zanders eventually moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Musicians Institute. One day, while she was working at Trader Joe’s in Hollywood, a friend told her about a DJ who needed someone to provide vocals for an EDM track. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t the kind of kid that could go out and rave,” Zanders says with a laugh; her mother wouldn’t have allowed it. “I literally knew nothing of rave culture,” she says. But she quickly learned.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t the kind of kid that could go out and rave,” Zanders says with a laugh; her mother wouldn’t have allowed it. “I literally knew nothing of rave culture,” she says. But she quickly learned.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991111,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Harp Digital Media",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg\" alt=\"The crowd's view of a person standing behind the DJ tables.\" class=\"wp-image-13991111\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘I make music that’s rooted in love,’ says Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at Outside Lands in 2024.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg\" alt=\"The crowd's view of a person standing behind the DJ tables.\" class=\"wp-image-13991111\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘I make music that’s rooted in love,’ says Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at Outside Lands in 2024.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "‘Big diva vocals’",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Big diva vocals’\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Big diva vocals’\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Zanders now plays in nightclubs as well as sports arenas. They’re two very different settings, except that both are male-dominated. Simply by being present in those spaces, Zanders tells me, “as a woman, as a Black woman, as a queer woman, I naturally am gonna make some sort of statement. I don’t even need to say anything.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Zanders now plays in nightclubs as well as sports arenas. They’re two very different settings, except that both are male-dominated. Simply by being present in those spaces, Zanders tells me, “as a woman, as a Black woman, as a queer woman, I naturally am gonna make some sort of statement. I don’t even need to say anything.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Pivoting from writing verses and choruses of rock lyrics to short top-lines for dance anthems wasn’t easy.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Pivoting from writing verses and choruses of rock lyrics to short top-lines for dance anthems wasn’t easy.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Simplifying her lyrics felt like “it was like a diss to the art,” Zanders says. “I’m like, ‘What do you mean you only need one or two lines?’” But after digging deeper into the history of dance, and the work of artists like \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_S.\">Robin S.\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonique_(musician)\">Sonique\u003c/a>, Zanders understood the power of “big diva vocals.” With only a few choice lyrics, Zanders affirms, one can “still very much understand, in a potent way, what the song is about.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Simplifying her lyrics felt like “it was like a diss to the art,” Zanders says. “I’m like, ‘What do you mean you only need one or two lines?’” But after digging deeper into the history of dance, and the work of artists like \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_S.\">Robin S.\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonique_(musician)\">Sonique\u003c/a>, Zanders understood the power of “big diva vocals.” With only a few choice lyrics, Zanders affirms, one can “still very much understand, in a potent way, what the song is about.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Featuring Shift K3Y, Bipolar Sunshine and Hayley May, each of the seven songs on \u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> pack in a load of emotions and storytelling. Even the album name has multiple meanings.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Featuring Shift K3Y, Bipolar Sunshine and Hayley May, each of the seven songs on \u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> pack in a load of emotions and storytelling. Even the album name has multiple meanings.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/embed",
"attrs": {
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMl_XIjVAsg",
"type": "video",
"providerNameSlug": "youtube",
"responsive": true,
"className": "wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMl_XIjVAsg\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMl_XIjVAsg\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Heartbroken after an acquaintance stole something of hers, it hit Zanders that life is a free-for-all with no rules, for better or for worse.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Heartbroken after an acquaintance stole something of hers, it hit Zanders that life is a free-for-all with no rules, for better or for worse.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Look at these motherfuckers, they’re out here just stealing shit,” she says. “Okay, fuck! Let me have the audacity to do what I wanna do, which is \u003cem>good\u003c/em> stuff. But let me not be afraid, because these people aren’t afraid.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Look at these motherfuckers, they’re out here just stealing shit,” she says. “Okay, fuck! Let me have the audacity to do what I wanna do, which is \u003cem>good\u003c/em> stuff. But let me not be afraid, because these people aren’t afraid.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "A family lineage",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A family lineage\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A family lineage\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> could also describe Zanders herself. She’s an athletic pianist and former mohawked rocker who loves pop music and sings like gospel is in her blood. She also benefited from her mother’s guidance, inherited her’s father’s vocal abilities and stands on the shoulders of her grandmother.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> could also describe Zanders herself. She’s an athletic pianist and former mohawked rocker who loves pop music and sings like gospel is in her blood. She also benefited from her mother’s guidance, inherited her’s father’s vocal abilities and stands on the shoulders of her grandmother.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“She was a prolific piano player,” Zanders says of her grandmother, a choir director who died when Zanders was just an infant but who left behind a trove of archival recordings. “Hearing that,” Zanders explains, “made me think, ‘Oh, okay, this is where some of my musical abilities come from.'”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“She was a prolific piano player,” Zanders says of her grandmother, a choir director who died when Zanders was just an infant but who left behind a trove of archival recordings. “Hearing that,” Zanders explains, “made me think, ‘Oh, okay, this is where some of my musical abilities come from.'”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Zanders does not claim any one faith. But whether her music’s blasting through a sound system in a New York nightclub, playing at an outdoors festival in Canada or slapping in the headphones of a journalist riding a bike in California, the spiritual element is evident.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Zanders does not claim any one faith. But whether her music’s blasting through a sound system in a New York nightclub, playing at an outdoors festival in Canada or slapping in the headphones of a journalist riding a bike in California, the spiritual element is evident.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Dance music,” Zanders professes, “it can be a magical experience.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Dance music,” Zanders professes, “it can be a magical experience.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/separator",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Kaleena Zanders performs Friday, July 17 as part of the three-day Dirtybird Cookout and Northern Nights musical festival in Piercy, California. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/northernnights/events/dirtybird-campout-x-northern-nights-music-festival-2026-160064\">Tickets and more details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Kaleena Zanders performs Friday, July 17 as part of the three-day Dirtybird Cookout and Northern Nights musical festival in Piercy, California. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/northernnights/events/dirtybird-campout-x-northern-nights-music-festival-2026-160064\">Tickets and more details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The producer and vocalist knows the power of transcendence — and the world is taking notice. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782762026,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 26,
"wordCount": 1070
},
"headData": {
"title": "For San José’s Kaleena Zanders, Dance Music Is ‘a Magical Experience’ | KQED",
"description": "The producer and vocalist knows the power of transcendence — and the world is taking notice. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "For San José’s Kaleena Zanders, Dance Music Is ‘a Magical Experience’",
"datePublished": "2026-06-29T12:40:16-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-29T12:40:26-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991008",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991008/kaleena-zanders-san-jose-dance-music",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kaleenazanders/?hl=en\">Kaleena Zanders\u003c/a>’ song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31i2vFa7r8s\">The Light\u003c/a>” blasted through my headphones, I pedaled faster.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Soundtracked by energetic hi-hats, symphonic strings, a bass line from the underworld and Zanders’ heavenly vocals, my bike ride became a spiritual experience. And I’m clearly not the only one moved by Zanders’ music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For more than a decade, Zanders has played nightclubs and festivals, and even once had a song featured in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ispot.tv/ad/waIE/toyota-super-bowl-2018-good-odds-song-by-kaleena-zanders\">a Super Bowl Toyota commercial\u003c/a>. Her debut album \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/album/0clTTK9wSXFKpTTtGq2sun\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>\u003c/em> dropped last month. It’s been highlighted by \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/up-coming-dance-artist-of-month-kaleena-zanders-april-2026-1236230807/\">Billboard\u003c/a>,\u003c/em> with two of its songs, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDfP41vP8dQ\">Stronger Than Machines\u003c/a>” and “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1dPFBPt1_M\">Anything Goes\u003c/a>,” spotlighted by ESPN.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg\" alt=\"A person standing behind a DJ table at a crowded outdoors event.\" class=\"wp-image-13991110\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125811-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2024, grew up playing sports and frequenting Hot Topic in San José. (Harp Digital Media)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As Zanders launches \u003ca href=\"https://www.kaleenazanders.com/tour\">a multiple-city tour\u003c/a> with stops across the United States and Canada, she gives credit to her upbringing in San José for making it possible.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emo fits and musical theater\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I ended up going to Independence High School,” Zanders tells me during a recent video call, “and I played a ton of sports.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a teenage basketball and rugby player, Zanders also got deep into her emo bag with fits from Hot Topic at Eastridge Mall, across the street from where she lived. While fashion and athletics were important, art proved significant in her upbringing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Musical theater was a huge part of my life,” says Zanders, who took classes at the \u003ca href=\"https://sanjoseacademyofmusic.com/san-jose-childrens-chorus/\">San Jose Children’s Choir \u003c/a>from the age of 8 to the age of 11. She had no problem singing to herself, but Zanders was a shy about appearing on stage.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was really caught off guard that my mom would put me in these musical theater classes,” Zanders reflects. But it all makes sense now. “I remember coming alive on stage,” Zanders says. “I get it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/0mO0mYdan3w'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/0mO0mYdan3w'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Having a musical outlet proved vital as she navigated her teenage years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Understanding that I’m queer,” says Zanders, “that was actually pretty hard for me in high school.” So she leaned into music, practicing on a piano in her mom’s garage, and eventually taking guitar lessons — which got her into rock music.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In college, Zanders played in a band, Moulder’s Lounge, which she calls “the most euphoric, life-changing experience.” The band allowed her to combine musical theater, instrumentation and rock music, and would’ve been big, Zanders believes, if they’d stayed together.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Zanders eventually moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Musicians Institute. One day, while she was working at Trader Joe’s in Hollywood, a friend told her about a DJ who needed someone to provide vocals for an EDM track. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t the kind of kid that could go out and rave,” Zanders says with a laugh; her mother wouldn’t have allowed it. “I literally knew nothing of rave culture,” she says. But she quickly learned.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg\" alt=\"The crowd's view of a person standing behind the DJ tables.\" class=\"wp-image-13991111\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/IMG_20260625_125757-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">‘I make music that’s rooted in love,’ says Kaleena Zanders, pictured performing in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at Outside Lands in 2024. (Harp Digital Media)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Big diva vocals’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Zanders now plays in nightclubs as well as sports arenas. They’re two very different settings, except that both are male-dominated. Simply by being present in those spaces, Zanders tells me, “as a woman, as a Black woman, as a queer woman, I naturally am gonna make some sort of statement. I don’t even need to say anything.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pivoting from writing verses and choruses of rock lyrics to short top-lines for dance anthems wasn’t easy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Simplifying her lyrics felt like “it was like a diss to the art,” Zanders says. “I’m like, ‘What do you mean you only need one or two lines?’” But after digging deeper into the history of dance, and the work of artists like \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_S.\">Robin S.\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonique_(musician)\">Sonique\u003c/a>, Zanders understood the power of “big diva vocals.” With only a few choice lyrics, Zanders affirms, one can “still very much understand, in a potent way, what the song is about.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Featuring Shift K3Y, Bipolar Sunshine and Hayley May, each of the seven songs on \u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> pack in a load of emotions and storytelling. Even the album name has multiple meanings.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/AMl_XIjVAsg'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/AMl_XIjVAsg'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Heartbroken after an acquaintance stole something of hers, it hit Zanders that life is a free-for-all with no rules, for better or for worse.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Look at these motherfuckers, they’re out here just stealing shit,” she says. “Okay, fuck! Let me have the audacity to do what I wanna do, which is \u003cem>good\u003c/em> stuff. But let me not be afraid, because these people aren’t afraid.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A family lineage\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Anything Goes\u003c/em> could also describe Zanders herself. She’s an athletic pianist and former mohawked rocker who loves pop music and sings like gospel is in her blood. She also benefited from her mother’s guidance, inherited her’s father’s vocal abilities and stands on the shoulders of her grandmother.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“She was a prolific piano player,” Zanders says of her grandmother, a choir director who died when Zanders was just an infant but who left behind a trove of archival recordings. “Hearing that,” Zanders explains, “made me think, ‘Oh, okay, this is where some of my musical abilities come from.'”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Zanders does not claim any one faith. But whether her music’s blasting through a sound system in a New York nightclub, playing at an outdoors festival in Canada or slapping in the headphones of a journalist riding a bike in California, the spiritual element is evident.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Dance music,” Zanders professes, “it can be a magical experience.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Kaleena Zanders performs Friday, July 17 as part of the three-day Dirtybird Cookout and Northern Nights musical festival in Piercy, California. \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/northernnights/events/dirtybird-campout-x-northern-nights-music-festival-2026-160064\">Tickets and more details here\u003c/a>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991008/kaleena-zanders-san-jose-dance-music",
"authors": [
"11491"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69"
],
"tags": [
"arts_1501",
"arts_10278",
"arts_1084"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991153",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13991001": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13991001",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13991001",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782258439000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "youth-radio-reopens-downtown-oakland-media-training",
"title": "Youth Radio Reopens in Oakland, Providing Programs to New Cohort",
"publishDate": 1782258439,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Youth Radio Reopens in Oakland, Providing Programs to New Cohort | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youthradio.org/\">Youth Radio\u003c/a> is back.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> nonprofit, which had supported youth involvement in media for more than 30 years before shutting down in 2024, announced Tuesday that it will resume operations effective this week.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Youth Radio will continue to be headquartered inside its longstanding location at 17th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, which it owns. Its programs restart on Wednesday, June 24, with an orientation for its first cohort of 16 participants.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The reopening is due to the volunteer efforts of a small group of former staff, students, plus “dedicated board members and community members,” according to Maeven McGovern, a longtime employee of the organization who has taken on the role of executive director.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Funding for the reopening has come from a variety of sources, including a group of small donors, along with grants from Elevate Youth California and the Wellness Foundation. Youth Radio also received a loan from Community Vision to assist with existing debt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991018\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg 1400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Youth Radio’s headquarters in downtown Oakland. The community nonprofit owns the building at 17th and Broadway. (Courtesy Youth Radio)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A crowdfunding campaign, which launched in 2024 and raised roughly $18,000, “helped keep the lights on and keep things moving while we were figuring out how to reopen,” said McGovern.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Everyone involved with the reopening effort has a long history with Youth Radio, said McGovern, “but weren’t very involved with the leadership that was in place when it closed.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So far, the staffing is modest, with one full-time program manager and three part-time instructors, along with McGovern. The organization, which expects to grow with time, is currently using consultants for administration.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, the reopening is a welcome return for a community organization that had become \u003ca href=\"https://oaklandside.org/2024/11/12/yr-media-oakland-shuts-down/\">plagued by financial issues\u003c/a>. By the time it shut down in November 2024, staff had not been paid for more than a month, and employee health insurance insurance premiums had lapsed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It marked a confounding end to a beloved program. Youth Radio had provided equipment, training and mentorship for all aspects of media, including film, radio, podcasting, music and photography. It counted among its alumni TV newscaster \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lanayalewistv/?hl=en\">Lanaya Lewis\u003c/a>, music producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13816944/the-10-best-bay-area-albums-of-2017-1-o-a-k-riding-in-cars-with-girls\">1 O.A.K.\u003c/a>, rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/iamsu\">IamSu\u003c/a> and \u003cem>Euphoria\u003c/em> actor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13932485/tributes-angus-cloud-euphoria-oakland-osa-kehlani-zendaya-kev-choice-jwalt\">Angus Cloud\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"568\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991020\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-768x545.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of young people at Youth Radio in 1993, the year the organization was launched. (Courtesy Youth Radio)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McGovern herself worked in various roles at Youth Radio for 13 years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The skills and industry experience that young people gain from their experience at Youth Radio is probably what we’re really known for,” said McGovern. “But the sense of community that exists at the organization is what most people in it really remember. And honestly, when I heard about what happened, I just wanted to help in any way that I could.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The sessions starting this week are introductory training programs, with room to grow as more cohorts join. McGovern noted the rise of “content creators,” and said that while Youth Radio’s programs prioritized journalism, they would likely also see more vertical video editing, along with podcasting and music production. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One more change: after a branding change to “YR Media,” the name of the organization will once again be Youth Radio.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’ve gone back to the original brand, as part of going back to our original self, I would say,” McGovern said, “and really reconnecting with what made Youth Radio great.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">open house and information session\u003c/a> about Youth Radio takes place Friday, June 26, where potential applicants can meet instructors and learn about the programs on offer. \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">Details on the orientation here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youthradio.org/\">Youth Radio\u003c/a> is back.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youthradio.org/\">Youth Radio\u003c/a> is back.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> nonprofit, which had supported youth involvement in media for more than 30 years before shutting down in 2024, announced Tuesday that it will resume operations effective this week.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> nonprofit, which had supported youth involvement in media for more than 30 years before shutting down in 2024, announced Tuesday that it will resume operations effective this week.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Youth Radio will continue to be headquartered inside its longstanding location at 17th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, which it owns. Its programs restart on Wednesday, June 24, with an orientation for its first cohort of 16 participants.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Youth Radio will continue to be headquartered inside its longstanding location at 17th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, which it owns. Its programs restart on Wednesday, June 24, with an orientation for its first cohort of 16 participants.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The reopening is due to the volunteer efforts of a small group of former staff, students, plus “dedicated board members and community members,” according to Maeven McGovern, a longtime employee of the organization who has taken on the role of executive director.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The reopening is due to the volunteer efforts of a small group of former staff, students, plus “dedicated board members and community members,” according to Maeven McGovern, a longtime employee of the organization who has taken on the role of executive director.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Funding for the reopening has come from a variety of sources, including a group of small donors, along with grants from Elevate Youth California and the Wellness Foundation. Youth Radio also received a loan from Community Vision to assist with existing debt.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Funding for the reopening has come from a variety of sources, including a group of small donors, along with grants from Elevate Youth California and the Wellness Foundation. Youth Radio also received a loan from Community Vision to assist with existing debt.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991018,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Courtesy Youth Radio ",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg 1400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-768x512.jpg 768w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991018\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg 1400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Youth Radio’s headquarters in downtown Oakland. The community nonprofit owns the building at 17th and Broadway. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991018\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Youth Radio’s headquarters in downtown Oakland. The community nonprofit owns the building at 17th and Broadway. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A crowdfunding campaign, which launched in 2024 and raised roughly $18,000, “helped keep the lights on and keep things moving while we were figuring out how to reopen,” said McGovern.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A crowdfunding campaign, which launched in 2024 and raised roughly $18,000, “helped keep the lights on and keep things moving while we were figuring out how to reopen,” said McGovern.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Everyone involved with the reopening effort has a long history with Youth Radio, said McGovern, “but weren’t very involved with the leadership that was in place when it closed.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Everyone involved with the reopening effort has a long history with Youth Radio, said McGovern, “but weren’t very involved with the leadership that was in place when it closed.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So far, the staffing is modest, with one full-time program manager and three part-time instructors, along with McGovern. The organization, which expects to grow with time, is currently using consultants for administration.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>So far, the staffing is modest, with one full-time program manager and three part-time instructors, along with McGovern. The organization, which expects to grow with time, is currently using consultants for administration.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, the reopening is a welcome return for a community organization that had become \u003ca href=\"https://oaklandside.org/2024/11/12/yr-media-oakland-shuts-down/\">plagued by financial issues\u003c/a>. By the time it shut down in November 2024, staff had not been paid for more than a month, and employee health insurance insurance premiums had lapsed.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Still, the reopening is a welcome return for a community organization that had become \u003ca href=\"https://oaklandside.org/2024/11/12/yr-media-oakland-shuts-down/\">plagued by financial issues\u003c/a>. By the time it shut down in November 2024, staff had not been paid for more than a month, and employee health insurance insurance premiums had lapsed.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It marked a confounding end to a beloved program. Youth Radio had provided equipment, training and mentorship for all aspects of media, including film, radio, podcasting, music and photography. It counted among its alumni TV newscaster \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lanayalewistv/?hl=en\">Lanaya Lewis\u003c/a>, music producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13816944/the-10-best-bay-area-albums-of-2017-1-o-a-k-riding-in-cars-with-girls\">1 O.A.K.\u003c/a>, rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/iamsu\">IamSu\u003c/a> and \u003cem>Euphoria\u003c/em> actor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13932485/tributes-angus-cloud-euphoria-oakland-osa-kehlani-zendaya-kev-choice-jwalt\">Angus Cloud\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It marked a confounding end to a beloved program. Youth Radio had provided equipment, training and mentorship for all aspects of media, including film, radio, podcasting, music and photography. It counted among its alumni TV newscaster \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lanayalewistv/?hl=en\">Lanaya Lewis\u003c/a>, music producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13816944/the-10-best-bay-area-albums-of-2017-1-o-a-k-riding-in-cars-with-girls\">1 O.A.K.\u003c/a>, rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/iamsu\">IamSu\u003c/a> and \u003cem>Euphoria\u003c/em> actor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13932485/tributes-angus-cloud-euphoria-oakland-osa-kehlani-zendaya-kev-choice-jwalt\">Angus Cloud\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13991020,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Courtesy Youth Radio ",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-768x545.jpg 768w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991020\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-768x545.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of young people at Youth Radio in 1993, the year the organization was launched.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991020\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of young people at Youth Radio in 1993, the year the organization was launched.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>McGovern herself worked in various roles at Youth Radio for 13 years. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>McGovern herself worked in various roles at Youth Radio for 13 years. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The skills and industry experience that young people gain from their experience at Youth Radio is probably what we’re really known for,” said McGovern. “But the sense of community that exists at the organization is what most people in it really remember. And honestly, when I heard about what happened, I just wanted to help in any way that I could.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The skills and industry experience that young people gain from their experience at Youth Radio is probably what we’re really known for,” said McGovern. “But the sense of community that exists at the organization is what most people in it really remember. And honestly, when I heard about what happened, I just wanted to help in any way that I could.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The sessions starting this week are introductory training programs, with room to grow as more cohorts join. McGovern noted the rise of “content creators,” and said that while Youth Radio’s programs prioritized journalism, they would likely also see more vertical video editing, along with podcasting and music production. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The sessions starting this week are introductory training programs, with room to grow as more cohorts join. McGovern noted the rise of “content creators,” and said that while Youth Radio’s programs prioritized journalism, they would likely also see more vertical video editing, along with podcasting and music production. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One more change: after a branding change to “YR Media,” the name of the organization will once again be Youth Radio.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One more change: after a branding change to “YR Media,” the name of the organization will once again be Youth Radio.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’ve gone back to the original brand, as part of going back to our original self, I would say,” McGovern said, “and really reconnecting with what made Youth Radio great.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’ve gone back to the original brand, as part of going back to our original self, I would say,” McGovern said, “and really reconnecting with what made Youth Radio great.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/separator",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">open house and information session\u003c/a> about Youth Radio takes place Friday, June 26, where potential applicants can meet instructors and learn about the programs on offer. \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">Details on the orientation here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">open house and information session\u003c/a> about Youth Radio takes place Friday, June 26, where potential applicants can meet instructors and learn about the programs on offer. \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">Details on the orientation here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The nonprofit, which shuttered in 2024, will restart its hands-on media training for youth this week.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782277315,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 18,
"wordCount": 618
},
"headData": {
"title": "Youth Radio Reopens in Oakland, Providing Programs to New Cohort | KQED",
"description": "The nonprofit, which shuttered in 2024, will restart its hands-on media training for youth this week.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Youth Radio Reopens in Oakland, Providing Programs to New Cohort",
"datePublished": "2026-06-23T16:47:19-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-23T22:01:55-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13991001",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13991001/youth-radio-reopens-downtown-oakland-media-training",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youthradio.org/\">Youth Radio\u003c/a> is back.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> nonprofit, which had supported youth involvement in media for more than 30 years before shutting down in 2024, announced Tuesday that it will resume operations effective this week.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Youth Radio will continue to be headquartered inside its longstanding location at 17th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, which it owns. Its programs restart on Wednesday, June 24, with an orientation for its first cohort of 16 participants.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The reopening is due to the volunteer efforts of a small group of former staff, students, plus “dedicated board members and community members,” according to Maeven McGovern, a longtime employee of the organization who has taken on the role of executive director.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Funding for the reopening has come from a variety of sources, including a group of small donors, along with grants from Elevate Youth California and the Wellness Foundation. Youth Radio also received a loan from Community Vision to assist with existing debt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991018\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building.jpg 1400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.building-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Youth Radio’s headquarters in downtown Oakland. The community nonprofit owns the building at 17th and Broadway. (Courtesy Youth Radio)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A crowdfunding campaign, which launched in 2024 and raised roughly $18,000, “helped keep the lights on and keep things moving while we were figuring out how to reopen,” said McGovern.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Everyone involved with the reopening effort has a long history with Youth Radio, said McGovern, “but weren’t very involved with the leadership that was in place when it closed.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So far, the staffing is modest, with one full-time program manager and three part-time instructors, along with McGovern. The organization, which expects to grow with time, is currently using consultants for administration.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, the reopening is a welcome return for a community organization that had become \u003ca href=\"https://oaklandside.org/2024/11/12/yr-media-oakland-shuts-down/\">plagued by financial issues\u003c/a>. By the time it shut down in November 2024, staff had not been paid for more than a month, and employee health insurance insurance premiums had lapsed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It marked a confounding end to a beloved program. Youth Radio had provided equipment, training and mentorship for all aspects of media, including film, radio, podcasting, music and photography. It counted among its alumni TV newscaster \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lanayalewistv/?hl=en\">Lanaya Lewis\u003c/a>, music producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13816944/the-10-best-bay-area-albums-of-2017-1-o-a-k-riding-in-cars-with-girls\">1 O.A.K.\u003c/a>, rapper \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/iamsu\">IamSu\u003c/a> and \u003cem>Euphoria\u003c/em> actor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13932485/tributes-angus-cloud-euphoria-oakland-osa-kehlani-zendaya-kev-choice-jwalt\">Angus Cloud\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"568\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13991020\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/YouthRadio.1993opening-768x545.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of young people at Youth Radio in 1993, the year the organization was launched. (Courtesy Youth Radio)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McGovern herself worked in various roles at Youth Radio for 13 years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The skills and industry experience that young people gain from their experience at Youth Radio is probably what we’re really known for,” said McGovern. “But the sense of community that exists at the organization is what most people in it really remember. And honestly, when I heard about what happened, I just wanted to help in any way that I could.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The sessions starting this week are introductory training programs, with room to grow as more cohorts join. McGovern noted the rise of “content creators,” and said that while Youth Radio’s programs prioritized journalism, they would likely also see more vertical video editing, along with podcasting and music production. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One more change: after a branding change to “YR Media,” the name of the organization will once again be Youth Radio.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’ve gone back to the original brand, as part of going back to our original self, I would say,” McGovern said, “and really reconnecting with what made Youth Radio great.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">open house and information session\u003c/a> about Youth Radio takes place Friday, June 26, where potential applicants can meet instructors and learn about the programs on offer. \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6NeXKGrSH/\">Details on the orientation here\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13991001/youth-radio-reopens-downtown-oakland-media-training",
"authors": [
"185"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_74",
"arts_69",
"arts_235",
"arts_990"
],
"tags": [
"arts_10278",
"arts_22664",
"arts_13427",
"arts_14679",
"arts_1143",
"arts_22382",
"arts_7137"
],
"featImg": "arts_13991017",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13990938": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13990938",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13990938",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1782159191000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "clive-davis-obit-music-industry-legend-died-at-94",
"title": "Clive Davis, Music Industry Starmaker, Has Died at 94",
"publishDate": 1782159191,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Clive Davis, Music Industry Starmaker, Has Died at 94 | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Clive Davis, the record company lawyer who became one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, launching or resurrecting the careers of such superstars as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/janis-joplin\">Janis Joplin\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13806026/a-radiant-isolated-star-a-new-documentary-tells-whitney-houstons-story\">Whitney Houston\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/45101/interview-carlos-santana-at-mission-high-school\">Carlos Santana\u003c/a> and Alicia Keys, has died, his family confirmed. He was 94.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized following an upper respiratory issue and was released a few days later. His death, in his Manhattan apartment, was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations,” the statement read.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1788\" height=\"1312\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png\" alt=\"A Latino man wearing a hat and dark blue suit clutches four Grammy awards while looking to his left at a bald white man in a black suit. He is holding 3 Grammy awards.\" class=\"wp-image-13990942\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png 1788w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-160x117.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-768x564.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-1536x1127.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1788px) 100vw, 1788px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carlos Santana and producer Clive Davis pose with their Grammys at the 42nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, on Feb. 23, 2000. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis’ might only seemed to grow, spanning multiple genres and labels. Into his later years, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em> winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. And his exclusive pre-Grammys gala, held the Saturday night before the Sunday award show every year since 1975, continued to be an institution.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing what other people don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s gala.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Brooklyn background\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. His father was an electrician and traveling salesman. He attended New York University and then Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house lawyer at Columbia Records.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Davis always had a knack for business, and by 1967, became president of the company, just seven years after being hired as an attorney. He cited attending the Monterey International Pop Festival that year as pivotal, specifically witnessing the powerhouse vocals of Janis Joplin (“I realized this was going to be the future,” he would later explain.) He signed Joplin’s band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Other Bay Area groups like Santana and Sly & the Family Stone soon followed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Davis’ embrace of the new, young sound eventually led him to bringing Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other groups to the label — lending a counterculture spirit to a company that had resisted rock ‘n’ roll. (He maintained a close relationship with the Bay Area, signing the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/grateful-dead\">Grateful Dead\u003c/a> in 1977 and regularly sending his artists to recording studios like San Francisco’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12279498/hyde-street-rock-how-wally-heider-and-the-tenderloin-shaped-the-san-francisco-sound\">Wally Heider Studios\u003c/a> or Sausalito’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12374448/running-the-record-plant-part-1-the-early-years\">Record Plant\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1298\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg\" alt=\"A white man wearing 1970s attire sits next to a Black man with a large afro and neck scarf. They are sitting outside on lawn chairs.\" class=\"wp-image-13990945\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-768x498.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sly Stone and Clive Davis, hanging out on Sept. 27, 1972. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Davis took big swings in the music industry, particularly in his support for Black artists, beginning when he signed Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2015, the NAACP recognized Davis for his groundbreaking work by presenting him with the Vanguard Award. And last summer, Davis was presented with the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and inducted onto its Walk of Fame.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An unrivaled career\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His success stories were staggering, with Houston a crowning achievement and devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was just a teen and turned her into America’s reigning pop princess.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Houston racked up multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the top-selling artists in pop history before drug abuse hobbled her career. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, just hours before she was to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis, who had been convinced she was turning her life around.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Maybe I should have been more skeptical,” Davis wrote in his 2013 memoir, \u003cem>The Soundtrack of My Life\u003c/em>, “but I’ve always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1357\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png\" alt=\"A Black man wearing a black bowler hat and fake fur coat smiles as a Black woman wearing a low cut purple suit jacket touches his chin. Next to them is an older white man wearing a striped tie and formal suit.\" class=\"wp-image-13990947\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-160x109.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-768x521.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-1536x1042.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston appear with Clive Davis, right, at a pre-Grammy party in New York on Feb. 24, 1998. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, File)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multiple-Grammy winner Keys — and was quick to note other talents he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “all-timers,” as he so often put it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman … I signed Lou Reed … I signed the Grateful Dead,” he proudly touted in an interview with The Associated Press in 1999.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also signed the then up-and-coming producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13954740/diddy-allegations-sean-combs-raids-sex-trafficking-cassie-joi-rod-harve-pierre-jane-doe\">Sean “Diddy” Combs\u003c/a> to a label deal with his Bad Boy Records. Under Davis, the label would have some of its biggest successes, most notably with late rap icon the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13847666/hip-hop-deserves-that-respect-honoring-the-notorious-b-i-g-wu-tang-clan-in-nyc\">Notorious B.I.G.\u003c/a> That was long before the hip-hop mogul Diddy would be incarcerated, convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An exec who built lifelong careers\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Davis didn’t simply have an eye for new talent — he also knew how to keep veterans relevant, decades after their first hit. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/pop/tag/aretha-franklin\">Aretha Franklin\u003c/a>, whose legend was made at Atlantic Records, flourished in her later years at Arista, as did Luther Vandross, who made his last albums for another Davis label, J Records.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It was Davis who conceived of the 1999 album \u003cem>Supernatural\u003c/em>, which paired guitar god Santana with some of the day’s hottest talents. The record won a record-tying eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than he had ever enjoyed in his decades-long career.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And he had middle-aged star Rod Stewart trade in his rock hits for standards from \u003cem>The Great American Songbook\u003c/em>. The album, released in 2003, sold millions and was so successful it spawned four titles in all.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1312\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg\" alt=\"In a ballroom hosting a large dinner, a white man in a black suit points to the white shirt of a Black man, also wearing black tie.\" class=\"wp-image-13990949\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-768x504.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-1536x1008.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis and Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco. (Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage for J Records)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The label had huge success with a debut act — Milli Vanilli. But the male pop duo would become the embarrassment of the industry when, after winning a Grammy, it was revealed that they weren’t actually singing their songs (Davis blamed the debacle on the label’s European division, which he said signed them; the group was later stripped of its best new artist Grammy).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 1999, as Arista was celebrating its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another crisis: The label’s then-parent company, BMG Entertainment, a division of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him to retire; most of its executives were eased out by 60, and Davis was in his mid-60s.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2000, despite support from his superstar roster, the company ousted him in favor of producer and songwriter Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who would later become chairman of Island/Def Jam.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Still, Davis’ successes were many\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, instead of severing its ties with Davis, BMG helped him launch J Records in what BMG has described as the largest record company startup ever created. Vandross was one of his initial artists, along with forgettable acts like the boy-band O-Town.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>J Records was a success from the start, though, and only grew in stature with the arrival of a young singer named Keys, a piano-playing singer-songwriter with powerful pipes and dramatic R&B songs. Keys’ albums would go on to sell millions and win several Grammys.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His influence grew even more when Davis was tapped for BMG’s U.S. division.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1328\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png\" alt=\"A very slender Black woman wearing a skintight black and floral dress stands on stage smiling and holding a microphone, as a white man in a black suit warmly kisses her hand. He is also holding a mic.\" class=\"wp-image-13990952\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-768x510.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-1536x1020.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis kisses the hand of Diana Ross at his annual pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday Feb. 12, 2005. (AP Photo/Chris Polk)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He became a key backer of the careers of the winners of \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em>, guiding many albums to platinum status. The show’s link to Sony BMG came through a deal between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by \u003cem>Idol\u003c/em> creator Simon Fuller.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2007, however, Davis disagreed with the direction of Clarkson’s \u003cem>My December\u003c/em>, and she publicly criticized him. The album was a flop, and she later apologized.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and chief executive officer of the BMG label group, giving him the title of chief creative officer.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He was serving as worldwide chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment up until his death.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A love-filled personal life\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In his memoir, Davis confirmed longtime rumors that he was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Do I feel I could have been similarly attracted to a woman?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He is survived by his four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, and his eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody, two great grandchildren, cousin Jo Schuman and partner Greg Schriefer.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His family shared a loving statement on Monday.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Clive Davis, the record company lawyer who became one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, launching or resurrecting the careers of such superstars as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/janis-joplin\">Janis Joplin\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13806026/a-radiant-isolated-star-a-new-documentary-tells-whitney-houstons-story\">Whitney Houston\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/45101/interview-carlos-santana-at-mission-high-school\">Carlos Santana\u003c/a> and Alicia Keys, has died, his family confirmed. He was 94.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Clive Davis, the record company lawyer who became one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, launching or resurrecting the careers of such superstars as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/janis-joplin\">Janis Joplin\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13806026/a-radiant-isolated-star-a-new-documentary-tells-whitney-houstons-story\">Whitney Houston\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/45101/interview-carlos-santana-at-mission-high-school\">Carlos Santana\u003c/a> and Alicia Keys, has died, his family confirmed. He was 94.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized following an upper respiratory issue and was released a few days later. His death, in his Manhattan apartment, was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized following an upper respiratory issue and was released a few days later. His death, in his Manhattan apartment, was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations,” the statement read.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations,” the statement read.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990942,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png 1788w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-160x117.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-768x564.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-1536x1127.png 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png\" alt=\"A Latino man wearing a hat and dark blue suit clutches four Grammy awards while looking to his left at a bald white man in a black suit. He is holding 3 Grammy awards.\" class=\"wp-image-13990942\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png 1788w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-160x117.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-768x564.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-1536x1127.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carlos Santana and producer Clive Davis pose with their Grammys at the 42nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, on Feb. 23, 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png\" alt=\"A Latino man wearing a hat and dark blue suit clutches four Grammy awards while looking to his left at a bald white man in a black suit. He is holding 3 Grammy awards.\" class=\"wp-image-13990942\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carlos Santana and producer Clive Davis pose with their Grammys at the 42nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, on Feb. 23, 2000.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis’ might only seemed to grow, spanning multiple genres and labels. Into his later years, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em> winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. And his exclusive pre-Grammys gala, held the Saturday night before the Sunday award show every year since 1975, continued to be an institution.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis’ might only seemed to grow, spanning multiple genres and labels. Into his later years, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em> winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. And his exclusive pre-Grammys gala, held the Saturday night before the Sunday award show every year since 1975, continued to be an institution.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing what other people don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s gala.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing what other people don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s gala.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "A Brooklyn background",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Brooklyn background\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Brooklyn background\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. His father was an electrician and traveling salesman. He attended New York University and then Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house lawyer at Columbia Records.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. His father was an electrician and traveling salesman. He attended New York University and then Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house lawyer at Columbia Records.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Davis always had a knack for business, and by 1967, became president of the company, just seven years after being hired as an attorney. He cited attending the Monterey International Pop Festival that year as pivotal, specifically witnessing the powerhouse vocals of Janis Joplin (“I realized this was going to be the future,” he would later explain.) He signed Joplin’s band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Other Bay Area groups like Santana and Sly & the Family Stone soon followed.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Davis always had a knack for business, and by 1967, became president of the company, just seven years after being hired as an attorney. He cited attending the Monterey International Pop Festival that year as pivotal, specifically witnessing the powerhouse vocals of Janis Joplin (“I realized this was going to be the future,” he would later explain.) He signed Joplin’s band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Other Bay Area groups like Santana and Sly & the Family Stone soon followed.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Davis’ embrace of the new, young sound eventually led him to bringing Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other groups to the label — lending a counterculture spirit to a company that had resisted rock ‘n’ roll. (He maintained a close relationship with the Bay Area, signing the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/grateful-dead\">Grateful Dead\u003c/a> in 1977 and regularly sending his artists to recording studios like San Francisco’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12279498/hyde-street-rock-how-wally-heider-and-the-tenderloin-shaped-the-san-francisco-sound\">Wally Heider Studios\u003c/a> or Sausalito’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12374448/running-the-record-plant-part-1-the-early-years\">Record Plant\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Davis’ embrace of the new, young sound eventually led him to bringing Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other groups to the label — lending a counterculture spirit to a company that had resisted rock ‘n’ roll. (He maintained a close relationship with the Bay Area, signing the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/grateful-dead\">Grateful Dead\u003c/a> in 1977 and regularly sending his artists to recording studios like San Francisco’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12279498/hyde-street-rock-how-wally-heider-and-the-tenderloin-shaped-the-san-francisco-sound\">Wally Heider Studios\u003c/a> or Sausalito’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12374448/running-the-record-plant-part-1-the-early-years\">Record Plant\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990945,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-768x498.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-1536x997.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg\" alt=\"A white man wearing 1970s attire sits next to a Black man with a large afro and neck scarf. They are sitting outside on lawn chairs.\" class=\"wp-image-13990945\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-768x498.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sly Stone and Clive Davis, hanging out on Sept. 27, 1972. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg\" alt=\"A white man wearing 1970s attire sits next to a Black man with a large afro and neck scarf. They are sitting outside on lawn chairs.\" class=\"wp-image-13990945\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sly Stone and Clive Davis, hanging out on Sept. 27, 1972. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Davis took big swings in the music industry, particularly in his support for Black artists, beginning when he signed Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Davis took big swings in the music industry, particularly in his support for Black artists, beginning when he signed Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2015, the NAACP recognized Davis for his groundbreaking work by presenting him with the Vanguard Award. And last summer, Davis was presented with the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and inducted onto its Walk of Fame.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2015, the NAACP recognized Davis for his groundbreaking work by presenting him with the Vanguard Award. And last summer, Davis was presented with the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and inducted onto its Walk of Fame.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "An unrivaled career",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An unrivaled career\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An unrivaled career\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>His success stories were staggering, with Houston a crowning achievement and devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was just a teen and turned her into America’s reigning pop princess.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>His success stories were staggering, with Houston a crowning achievement and devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was just a teen and turned her into America’s reigning pop princess.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Houston racked up multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the top-selling artists in pop history before drug abuse hobbled her career. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, just hours before she was to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis, who had been convinced she was turning her life around.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Houston racked up multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the top-selling artists in pop history before drug abuse hobbled her career. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, just hours before she was to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis, who had been convinced she was turning her life around.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Maybe I should have been more skeptical,” Davis wrote in his 2013 memoir, \u003cem>The Soundtrack of My Life\u003c/em>, “but I’ve always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Maybe I should have been more skeptical,” Davis wrote in his 2013 memoir, \u003cem>The Soundtrack of My Life\u003c/em>, “but I’ve always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990947,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, File",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-160x109.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-768x521.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-1536x1042.png 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png\" alt=\"A Black man wearing a black bowler hat and fake fur coat smiles as a Black woman wearing a low cut purple suit jacket touches his chin. Next to them is an older white man wearing a striped tie and formal suit.\" class=\"wp-image-13990947\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-160x109.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-768x521.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-1536x1042.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston appear with Clive Davis, right, at a pre-Grammy party in New York on Feb. 24, 1998.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png\" alt=\"A Black man wearing a black bowler hat and fake fur coat smiles as a Black woman wearing a low cut purple suit jacket touches his chin. Next to them is an older white man wearing a striped tie and formal suit.\" class=\"wp-image-13990947\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston appear with Clive Davis, right, at a pre-Grammy party in New York on Feb. 24, 1998.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multiple-Grammy winner Keys — and was quick to note other talents he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “all-timers,” as he so often put it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multiple-Grammy winner Keys — and was quick to note other talents he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “all-timers,” as he so often put it.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman … I signed Lou Reed … I signed the Grateful Dead,” he proudly touted in an interview with The Associated Press in 1999.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman … I signed Lou Reed … I signed the Grateful Dead,” he proudly touted in an interview with The Associated Press in 1999.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He also signed the then up-and-coming producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13954740/diddy-allegations-sean-combs-raids-sex-trafficking-cassie-joi-rod-harve-pierre-jane-doe\">Sean “Diddy” Combs\u003c/a> to a label deal with his Bad Boy Records. Under Davis, the label would have some of its biggest successes, most notably with late rap icon the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13847666/hip-hop-deserves-that-respect-honoring-the-notorious-b-i-g-wu-tang-clan-in-nyc\">Notorious B.I.G.\u003c/a> That was long before the hip-hop mogul Diddy would be incarcerated, convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He also signed the then up-and-coming producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13954740/diddy-allegations-sean-combs-raids-sex-trafficking-cassie-joi-rod-harve-pierre-jane-doe\">Sean “Diddy” Combs\u003c/a> to a label deal with his Bad Boy Records. Under Davis, the label would have some of its biggest successes, most notably with late rap icon the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13847666/hip-hop-deserves-that-respect-honoring-the-notorious-b-i-g-wu-tang-clan-in-nyc\">Notorious B.I.G.\u003c/a> That was long before the hip-hop mogul Diddy would be incarcerated, convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "An exec who built lifelong careers",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An exec who built lifelong careers\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An exec who built lifelong careers\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Davis didn’t simply have an eye for new talent — he also knew how to keep veterans relevant, decades after their first hit. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/pop/tag/aretha-franklin\">Aretha Franklin\u003c/a>, whose legend was made at Atlantic Records, flourished in her later years at Arista, as did Luther Vandross, who made his last albums for another Davis label, J Records.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Davis didn’t simply have an eye for new talent — he also knew how to keep veterans relevant, decades after their first hit. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/pop/tag/aretha-franklin\">Aretha Franklin\u003c/a>, whose legend was made at Atlantic Records, flourished in her later years at Arista, as did Luther Vandross, who made his last albums for another Davis label, J Records.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It was Davis who conceived of the 1999 album \u003cem>Supernatural\u003c/em>, which paired guitar god Santana with some of the day’s hottest talents. The record won a record-tying eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than he had ever enjoyed in his decades-long career.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It was Davis who conceived of the 1999 album \u003cem>Supernatural\u003c/em>, which paired guitar god Santana with some of the day’s hottest talents. The record won a record-tying eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than he had ever enjoyed in his decades-long career.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And he had middle-aged star Rod Stewart trade in his rock hits for standards from \u003cem>The Great American Songbook\u003c/em>. The album, released in 2003, sold millions and was so successful it spawned four titles in all.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And he had middle-aged star Rod Stewart trade in his rock hits for standards from \u003cem>The Great American Songbook\u003c/em>. The album, released in 2003, sold millions and was so successful it spawned four titles in all.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990949,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage for J Records",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-768x504.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-1536x1008.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg\" alt=\"In a ballroom hosting a large dinner, a white man in a black suit points to the white shirt of a Black man, also wearing black tie.\" class=\"wp-image-13990949\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-768x504.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-1536x1008.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis and Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg\" alt=\"In a ballroom hosting a large dinner, a white man in a black suit points to the white shirt of a Black man, also wearing black tie.\" class=\"wp-image-13990949\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis and Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The label had huge success with a debut act — Milli Vanilli. But the male pop duo would become the embarrassment of the industry when, after winning a Grammy, it was revealed that they weren’t actually singing their songs (Davis blamed the debacle on the label’s European division, which he said signed them; the group was later stripped of its best new artist Grammy).\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The label had huge success with a debut act — Milli Vanilli. But the male pop duo would become the embarrassment of the industry when, after winning a Grammy, it was revealed that they weren’t actually singing their songs (Davis blamed the debacle on the label’s European division, which he said signed them; the group was later stripped of its best new artist Grammy).\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 1999, as Arista was celebrating its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another crisis: The label’s then-parent company, BMG Entertainment, a division of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him to retire; most of its executives were eased out by 60, and Davis was in his mid-60s.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 1999, as Arista was celebrating its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another crisis: The label’s then-parent company, BMG Entertainment, a division of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him to retire; most of its executives were eased out by 60, and Davis was in his mid-60s.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2000, despite support from his superstar roster, the company ousted him in favor of producer and songwriter Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who would later become chairman of Island/Def Jam.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2000, despite support from his superstar roster, the company ousted him in favor of producer and songwriter Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who would later become chairman of Island/Def Jam.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Still, Davis’ successes were many",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Still, Davis’ successes were many\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Still, Davis’ successes were many\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>However, instead of severing its ties with Davis, BMG helped him launch J Records in what BMG has described as the largest record company startup ever created. Vandross was one of his initial artists, along with forgettable acts like the boy-band O-Town.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>However, instead of severing its ties with Davis, BMG helped him launch J Records in what BMG has described as the largest record company startup ever created. Vandross was one of his initial artists, along with forgettable acts like the boy-band O-Town.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>J Records was a success from the start, though, and only grew in stature with the arrival of a young singer named Keys, a piano-playing singer-songwriter with powerful pipes and dramatic R&B songs. Keys’ albums would go on to sell millions and win several Grammys.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>J Records was a success from the start, though, and only grew in stature with the arrival of a young singer named Keys, a piano-playing singer-songwriter with powerful pipes and dramatic R&B songs. Keys’ albums would go on to sell millions and win several Grammys.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>His influence grew even more when Davis was tapped for BMG’s U.S. division.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>His influence grew even more when Davis was tapped for BMG’s U.S. division.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990952,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "AP Photo/Chris Polk",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-768x510.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-1536x1020.png 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png\" alt=\"A very slender Black woman wearing a skintight black and floral dress stands on stage smiling and holding a microphone, as a white man in a black suit warmly kisses her hand. He is also holding a mic.\" class=\"wp-image-13990952\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-768x510.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-1536x1020.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis kisses the hand of Diana Ross at his annual pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday Feb. 12, 2005.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png\" alt=\"A very slender Black woman wearing a skintight black and floral dress stands on stage smiling and holding a microphone, as a white man in a black suit warmly kisses her hand. He is also holding a mic.\" class=\"wp-image-13990952\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis kisses the hand of Diana Ross at his annual pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday Feb. 12, 2005.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He became a key backer of the careers of the winners of \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em>, guiding many albums to platinum status. The show’s link to Sony BMG came through a deal between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by \u003cem>Idol\u003c/em> creator Simon Fuller.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He became a key backer of the careers of the winners of \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em>, guiding many albums to platinum status. The show’s link to Sony BMG came through a deal between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by \u003cem>Idol\u003c/em> creator Simon Fuller.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2007, however, Davis disagreed with the direction of Clarkson’s \u003cem>My December\u003c/em>, and she publicly criticized him. The album was a flop, and she later apologized.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2007, however, Davis disagreed with the direction of Clarkson’s \u003cem>My December\u003c/em>, and she publicly criticized him. The album was a flop, and she later apologized.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and chief executive officer of the BMG label group, giving him the title of chief creative officer.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and chief executive officer of the BMG label group, giving him the title of chief creative officer.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He was serving as worldwide chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment up until his death.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He was serving as worldwide chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment up until his death.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "A love-filled personal life",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A love-filled personal life\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A love-filled personal life\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In his memoir, Davis confirmed longtime rumors that he was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In his memoir, Davis confirmed longtime rumors that he was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Do I feel I could have been similarly attracted to a woman?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Do I feel I could have been similarly attracted to a woman?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He is survived by his four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, and his eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody, two great grandchildren, cousin Jo Schuman and partner Greg Schriefer.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He is survived by his four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, and his eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody, two great grandchildren, cousin Jo Schuman and partner Greg Schriefer.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>His family shared a loving statement on Monday.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>His family shared a loving statement on Monday.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The record company lawyer championed Bay Area artists including Janis Joplin and Carlos Santana.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1782159202,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 36,
"wordCount": 1619
},
"headData": {
"title": "Clive Davis Dead at 94 After Colossal Music Industry Career | KQED",
"description": "The record company lawyer championed Bay Area artists including Janis Joplin and Carlos Santana.",
"ogTitle": "Clive Davis, Music Industry Starmaker, Has Died at 94",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "Clive Davis, Music Industry Starmaker, Has Died at 94",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "Clive Davis Dead at 94 After Colossal Music Industry Career %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Clive Davis, Music Industry Starmaker, Has Died at 94",
"datePublished": "2026-06-22T13:13:11-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-22T13:13:22-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1564,
"slug": "remembrance",
"name": "Remembrance"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "Nekesa Mumbi Moody & Maria Sherman, Associated Press",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13990938/clive-davis-obit-music-industry-legend-died-at-94",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Clive Davis, the record company lawyer who became one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, launching or resurrecting the careers of such superstars as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/janis-joplin\">Janis Joplin\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13806026/a-radiant-isolated-star-a-new-documentary-tells-whitney-houstons-story\">Whitney Houston\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/45101/interview-carlos-santana-at-mission-high-school\">Carlos Santana\u003c/a> and Alicia Keys, has died, his family confirmed. He was 94.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized following an upper respiratory issue and was released a few days later. His death, in his Manhattan apartment, was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations,” the statement read.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1788\" height=\"1312\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png\" alt=\"A Latino man wearing a hat and dark blue suit clutches four Grammy awards while looking to his left at a bald white man in a black suit. He is holding 3 Grammy awards.\" class=\"wp-image-13990942\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1.png 1788w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-160x117.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-768x564.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/santana-davis-1-1536x1127.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1788px) 100vw, 1788px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carlos Santana and producer Clive Davis pose with their Grammys at the 42nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, on Feb. 23, 2000. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis’ might only seemed to grow, spanning multiple genres and labels. Into his later years, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em> winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. And his exclusive pre-Grammys gala, held the Saturday night before the Sunday award show every year since 1975, continued to be an institution.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing what other people don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s gala.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Brooklyn background\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. His father was an electrician and traveling salesman. He attended New York University and then Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house lawyer at Columbia Records.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Davis always had a knack for business, and by 1967, became president of the company, just seven years after being hired as an attorney. He cited attending the Monterey International Pop Festival that year as pivotal, specifically witnessing the powerhouse vocals of Janis Joplin (“I realized this was going to be the future,” he would later explain.) He signed Joplin’s band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Other Bay Area groups like Santana and Sly & the Family Stone soon followed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Davis’ embrace of the new, young sound eventually led him to bringing Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other groups to the label — lending a counterculture spirit to a company that had resisted rock ‘n’ roll. (He maintained a close relationship with the Bay Area, signing the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/grateful-dead\">Grateful Dead\u003c/a> in 1977 and regularly sending his artists to recording studios like San Francisco’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12279498/hyde-street-rock-how-wally-heider-and-the-tenderloin-shaped-the-san-francisco-sound\">Wally Heider Studios\u003c/a> or Sausalito’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/12374448/running-the-record-plant-part-1-the-early-years\">Record Plant\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1298\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg\" alt=\"A white man wearing 1970s attire sits next to a Black man with a large afro and neck scarf. They are sitting outside on lawn chairs.\" class=\"wp-image-13990945\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-768x498.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-sly-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sly Stone and Clive Davis, hanging out on Sept. 27, 1972. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Davis took big swings in the music industry, particularly in his support for Black artists, beginning when he signed Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2015, the NAACP recognized Davis for his groundbreaking work by presenting him with the Vanguard Award. And last summer, Davis was presented with the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and inducted onto its Walk of Fame.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An unrivaled career\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His success stories were staggering, with Houston a crowning achievement and devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was just a teen and turned her into America’s reigning pop princess.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Houston racked up multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the top-selling artists in pop history before drug abuse hobbled her career. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, just hours before she was to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis, who had been convinced she was turning her life around.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Maybe I should have been more skeptical,” Davis wrote in his 2013 memoir, \u003cem>The Soundtrack of My Life\u003c/em>, “but I’ve always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1357\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png\" alt=\"A Black man wearing a black bowler hat and fake fur coat smiles as a Black woman wearing a low cut purple suit jacket touches his chin. Next to them is an older white man wearing a striped tie and formal suit.\" class=\"wp-image-13990947\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-160x109.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-768x521.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/whitney-clive-bobby-1536x1042.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston appear with Clive Davis, right, at a pre-Grammy party in New York on Feb. 24, 1998. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, File)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multiple-Grammy winner Keys — and was quick to note other talents he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “all-timers,” as he so often put it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman … I signed Lou Reed … I signed the Grateful Dead,” he proudly touted in an interview with The Associated Press in 1999.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also signed the then up-and-coming producer \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13954740/diddy-allegations-sean-combs-raids-sex-trafficking-cassie-joi-rod-harve-pierre-jane-doe\">Sean “Diddy” Combs\u003c/a> to a label deal with his Bad Boy Records. Under Davis, the label would have some of its biggest successes, most notably with late rap icon the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13847666/hip-hop-deserves-that-respect-honoring-the-notorious-b-i-g-wu-tang-clan-in-nyc\">Notorious B.I.G.\u003c/a> That was long before the hip-hop mogul Diddy would be incarcerated, convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An exec who built lifelong careers\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Davis didn’t simply have an eye for new talent — he also knew how to keep veterans relevant, decades after their first hit. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/pop/tag/aretha-franklin\">Aretha Franklin\u003c/a>, whose legend was made at Atlantic Records, flourished in her later years at Arista, as did Luther Vandross, who made his last albums for another Davis label, J Records.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It was Davis who conceived of the 1999 album \u003cem>Supernatural\u003c/em>, which paired guitar god Santana with some of the day’s hottest talents. The record won a record-tying eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than he had ever enjoyed in his decades-long career.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And he had middle-aged star Rod Stewart trade in his rock hits for standards from \u003cem>The Great American Songbook\u003c/em>. The album, released in 2003, sold millions and was so successful it spawned four titles in all.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1312\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg\" alt=\"In a ballroom hosting a large dinner, a white man in a black suit points to the white shirt of a Black man, also wearing black tie.\" class=\"wp-image-13990949\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-768x504.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-and-willie-1536x1008.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis and Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco. (Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage for J Records)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The label had huge success with a debut act — Milli Vanilli. But the male pop duo would become the embarrassment of the industry when, after winning a Grammy, it was revealed that they weren’t actually singing their songs (Davis blamed the debacle on the label’s European division, which he said signed them; the group was later stripped of its best new artist Grammy).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 1999, as Arista was celebrating its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another crisis: The label’s then-parent company, BMG Entertainment, a division of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him to retire; most of its executives were eased out by 60, and Davis was in his mid-60s.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2000, despite support from his superstar roster, the company ousted him in favor of producer and songwriter Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who would later become chairman of Island/Def Jam.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Still, Davis’ successes were many\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, instead of severing its ties with Davis, BMG helped him launch J Records in what BMG has described as the largest record company startup ever created. Vandross was one of his initial artists, along with forgettable acts like the boy-band O-Town.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>J Records was a success from the start, though, and only grew in stature with the arrival of a young singer named Keys, a piano-playing singer-songwriter with powerful pipes and dramatic R&B songs. Keys’ albums would go on to sell millions and win several Grammys.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His influence grew even more when Davis was tapped for BMG’s U.S. division.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1328\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png\" alt=\"A very slender Black woman wearing a skintight black and floral dress stands on stage smiling and holding a microphone, as a white man in a black suit warmly kisses her hand. He is also holding a mic.\" class=\"wp-image-13990952\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana.png 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-160x106.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-768x510.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/clive-diana-1536x1020.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clive Davis kisses the hand of Diana Ross at his annual pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday Feb. 12, 2005. (AP Photo/Chris Polk)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He became a key backer of the careers of the winners of \u003cem>American Idol\u003c/em>, guiding many albums to platinum status. The show’s link to Sony BMG came through a deal between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by \u003cem>Idol\u003c/em> creator Simon Fuller.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2007, however, Davis disagreed with the direction of Clarkson’s \u003cem>My December\u003c/em>, and she publicly criticized him. The album was a flop, and she later apologized.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and chief executive officer of the BMG label group, giving him the title of chief creative officer.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He was serving as worldwide chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment up until his death.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A love-filled personal life\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In his memoir, Davis confirmed longtime rumors that he was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Do I feel I could have been similarly attracted to a woman?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He is survived by his four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, and his eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody, two great grandchildren, cousin Jo Schuman and partner Greg Schriefer.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His family shared a loving statement on Monday.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13990938/clive-davis-obit-music-industry-legend-died-at-94",
"authors": [
"byline_arts_13990938"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_75",
"arts_1564"
],
"tags": [
"arts_1845",
"arts_1846",
"arts_3620",
"arts_21789"
],
"featImg": "arts_13990950",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13990890": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13990890",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13990890",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1781814380000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "lady-pink-clarion-alley-graffiti-camp-for-girls-san-francisco",
"title": "A New York Graffiti Legend Is in Clarion Alley This Week",
"publishDate": 1781814380,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "A New York Graffiti Legend Is in Clarion Alley This Week | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>It’s Wednesday afternoon in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>’s Clarion Alley, and eight girls are hovering over a folding table scattered with paint pens. Discussing a mural design for an adjacent wall, they hatch a plan to paint “San Francisco,” surrounded by symbols that represent the city.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nearby stands Lady Pink, a legend in the New York \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/graffiti\">graffiti\u003c/a> and street art scene, who’s here to mentor the young girls on the mural. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lady Pink was the first woman in graffiti to make a national name for herself, and in the process carved out space for other women in the male-dominated field.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Today, she’s lending her skills and expertise to the students of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/graffiticampforgirls/?hl=en\">Graffiti Camp for Girls\u003c/a> as they take on their first mural-sized project.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990889\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graffiti artist Lady Pink poses for a portrait on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s important to hand down our craft to the youth,” Lady Pink tells KQED in the alley, during a break “They don’t teach mural painting in schools so much. They teach painting, but they don’t teach mural painting. So, we’ll get a big wall and we’ll let the kids express themselves in a giant size.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Once the mural is completed, it will be unveiled at an event on Friday, June 19, from 4–5 p.m. in Clarion Alley. Lady Pink, who starred in the groundbreaking 1982 hip-hop film \u003cem>Wild Style\u003c/em>, will be present for a meet and greet.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now in its 10th year, Graffiti Camp for Girls is led and founded by Nina Wright, known as local artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/girlmobb/?hl=en\">Girl Mobb\u003c/a>. Her goal is to equip young girls with street art skills and the basics of spray painting safely, with respirator masks, while giving them the space to create public art.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990888\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nina Wright (center) laughs with the students from the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For 16-year-old participant Aaliyah Garcia, the camp offers her a crucial outlet as she continues to “expand her creativity.” Though she has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember, she had no experience with spray painting prior to this week’s session.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m excited to have my art up in the world for everyone to see,” Garcia says. (The mural is scheduled to stay up in Clarion Alley for at least five years.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After a few days of participants getting the hang of graffiti basics and learning new skills with lettering, Lady Pink arrived Wednesday to offer insight on large-scale painting. Her role, she emphasizes, is to push young people in the right direction rather than influencing their art. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Kids love to paint big, they love to paint in the street,” Lady Pink says. “They don’t like to run from the police nearly as much as we did.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>While Lady Pink came up in an outlaw era of unsanctioned graffiti, the opportunity for today’s youth to utilize “permission walls” and learn to express themselves is “absolutely priceless,” she says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I love to see the confidence and the growth in the kids when they do something,” she adds.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990887\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lady Pink, a graffiti artist, helps young girls develop their mural design at the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After just a few hours under Lady Pink’s guidance, 13-year-old Carey Deeter felt that confidence developing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Deeter had joined the camp because of her admiration for street art across the city, and while at first she’d been slower and more controlled with the spray paint, she learned to follow Lady Pink’s advice to “just get it done, don’t overthink it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Once you get the hang of it, you can basically do whatever you want,” Deeter says. “It’s very easy to control and stuff. It’s very freeing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>A mural unveiling and meet-and-greet with Lady Pink takes place on Friday, June 19, from 4-5 p.m. in Clarion Alley in San Francisco. \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZGj4OLTPB6/?hl=en\">\u003cem>Details and more information here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s Wednesday afternoon in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>’s Clarion Alley, and eight girls are hovering over a folding table scattered with paint pens. Discussing a mural design for an adjacent wall, they hatch a plan to paint “San Francisco,” surrounded by symbols that represent the city.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It’s Wednesday afternoon in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>’s Clarion Alley, and eight girls are hovering over a folding table scattered with paint pens. Discussing a mural design for an adjacent wall, they hatch a plan to paint “San Francisco,” surrounded by symbols that represent the city.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Nearby stands Lady Pink, a legend in the New York \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/graffiti\">graffiti\u003c/a> and street art scene, who’s here to mentor the young girls on the mural. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lady Pink was the first woman in graffiti to make a national name for herself, and in the process carved out space for other women in the male-dominated field.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Nearby stands Lady Pink, a legend in the New York \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/graffiti\">graffiti\u003c/a> and street art scene, who’s here to mentor the young girls on the mural. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lady Pink was the first woman in graffiti to make a national name for herself, and in the process carved out space for other women in the male-dominated field.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Today, she’s lending her skills and expertise to the students of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/graffiticampforgirls/?hl=en\">Graffiti Camp for Girls\u003c/a> as they take on their first mural-sized project.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Today, she’s lending her skills and expertise to the students of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/graffiticampforgirls/?hl=en\">Graffiti Camp for Girls\u003c/a> as they take on their first mural-sized project.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990889,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990889\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graffiti artist Lady Pink poses for a portrait on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990889\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graffiti artist Lady Pink poses for a portrait on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s important to hand down our craft to the youth,” Lady Pink tells KQED in the alley, during a break “They don’t teach mural painting in schools so much. They teach painting, but they don’t teach mural painting. So, we’ll get a big wall and we’ll let the kids express themselves in a giant size.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s important to hand down our craft to the youth,” Lady Pink tells KQED in the alley, during a break “They don’t teach mural painting in schools so much. They teach painting, but they don’t teach mural painting. So, we’ll get a big wall and we’ll let the kids express themselves in a giant size.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Once the mural is completed, it will be unveiled at an event on Friday, June 19, from 4–5 p.m. in Clarion Alley. Lady Pink, who starred in the groundbreaking 1982 hip-hop film \u003cem>Wild Style\u003c/em>, will be present for a meet and greet.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Once the mural is completed, it will be unveiled at an event on Friday, June 19, from 4–5 p.m. in Clarion Alley. Lady Pink, who starred in the groundbreaking 1982 hip-hop film \u003cem>Wild Style\u003c/em>, will be present for a meet and greet.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Now in its 10th year, Graffiti Camp for Girls is led and founded by Nina Wright, known as local artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/girlmobb/?hl=en\">Girl Mobb\u003c/a>. Her goal is to equip young girls with street art skills and the basics of spray painting safely, with respirator masks, while giving them the space to create public art.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Now in its 10th year, Graffiti Camp for Girls is led and founded by Nina Wright, known as local artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/girlmobb/?hl=en\">Girl Mobb\u003c/a>. Her goal is to equip young girls with street art skills and the basics of spray painting safely, with respirator masks, while giving them the space to create public art.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990888,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990888\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nina Wright (center) laughs with the students from the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990888\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nina Wright (center) laughs with the students from the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For 16-year-old participant Aaliyah Garcia, the camp offers her a crucial outlet as she continues to “expand her creativity.” Though she has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember, she had no experience with spray painting prior to this week’s session.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For 16-year-old participant Aaliyah Garcia, the camp offers her a crucial outlet as she continues to “expand her creativity.” Though she has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember, she had no experience with spray painting prior to this week’s session.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’m excited to have my art up in the world for everyone to see,” Garcia says. (The mural is scheduled to stay up in Clarion Alley for at least five years.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I’m excited to have my art up in the world for everyone to see,” Garcia says. (The mural is scheduled to stay up in Clarion Alley for at least five years.)\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_13983670"
],
"labelWasCleared": true,
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After a few days of participants getting the hang of graffiti basics and learning new skills with lettering, Lady Pink arrived Wednesday to offer insight on large-scale painting. Her role, she emphasizes, is to push young people in the right direction rather than influencing their art. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>After a few days of participants getting the hang of graffiti basics and learning new skills with lettering, Lady Pink arrived Wednesday to offer insight on large-scale painting. Her role, she emphasizes, is to push young people in the right direction rather than influencing their art. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Kids love to paint big, they love to paint in the street,” Lady Pink says. “They don’t like to run from the police nearly as much as we did.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>While Lady Pink came up in an outlaw era of unsanctioned graffiti, the opportunity for today’s youth to utilize “permission walls” and learn to express themselves is “absolutely priceless,” she says.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Kids love to paint big, they love to paint in the street,” Lady Pink says. “They don’t like to run from the police nearly as much as we did.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>While Lady Pink came up in an outlaw era of unsanctioned graffiti, the opportunity for today’s youth to utilize “permission walls” and learn to express themselves is “absolutely priceless,” she says.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I love to see the confidence and the growth in the kids when they do something,” she adds.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I love to see the confidence and the growth in the kids when they do something,” she adds.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990887,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990887\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lady Pink, a graffiti artist, helps young girls develop their mural design at the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990887\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lady Pink, a graffiti artist, helps young girls develop their mural design at the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After just a few hours under Lady Pink’s guidance, 13-year-old Carey Deeter felt that confidence developing.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>After just a few hours under Lady Pink’s guidance, 13-year-old Carey Deeter felt that confidence developing.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Deeter had joined the camp because of her admiration for street art across the city, and while at first she’d been slower and more controlled with the spray paint, she learned to follow Lady Pink’s advice to “just get it done, don’t overthink it.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Deeter had joined the camp because of her admiration for street art across the city, and while at first she’d been slower and more controlled with the spray paint, she learned to follow Lady Pink’s advice to “just get it done, don’t overthink it.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Once you get the hang of it, you can basically do whatever you want,” Deeter says. “It’s very easy to control and stuff. It’s very freeing.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Once you get the hang of it, you can basically do whatever you want,” Deeter says. “It’s very easy to control and stuff. It’s very freeing.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/separator",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>A mural unveiling and meet-and-greet with Lady Pink takes place on Friday, June 19, from 4-5 p.m. in Clarion Alley in San Francisco. \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZGj4OLTPB6/?hl=en\">\u003cem>Details and more information here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>A mural unveiling and meet-and-greet with Lady Pink takes place on Friday, June 19, from 4-5 p.m. in Clarion Alley in San Francisco. \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZGj4OLTPB6/?hl=en\">\u003cem>Details and more information here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Lady Pink arrived in San Francisco to mentor today’s young girls on a new mural.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1781816135,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 17,
"wordCount": 759
},
"headData": {
"title": "Lady Pink, Legend of NYC Graffiti, Visits San Francisco | KQED",
"description": "The star of ‘Wild Style’ arrived in San Francisco to mentor today’s young girls on a new mural.",
"ogTitle": "A New York Graffiti Legend Is in Clarion Alley This Week",
"ogDescription": "Lady Pink arrived in San Francisco to mentor today’s young girls on a new mural.",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "A New York Graffiti Legend Is in Clarion Alley This Week",
"twDescription": "Lady Pink arrived in San Francisco to mentor today’s young girls on a new mural.",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "Lady Pink, Legend of NYC Graffiti, Visits San Francisco %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"socialDescription": "The star of ‘Wild Style’ arrived in San Francisco to mentor today’s young girls on a new mural.",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "A New York Graffiti Legend Is in Clarion Alley This Week",
"datePublished": "2026-06-18T13:26:20-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-18T13:55:35-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13990890",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13990890/lady-pink-clarion-alley-graffiti-camp-for-girls-san-francisco",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>It’s Wednesday afternoon in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a>’s Clarion Alley, and eight girls are hovering over a folding table scattered with paint pens. Discussing a mural design for an adjacent wall, they hatch a plan to paint “San Francisco,” surrounded by symbols that represent the city.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nearby stands Lady Pink, a legend in the New York \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/graffiti\">graffiti\u003c/a> and street art scene, who’s here to mentor the young girls on the mural. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lady Pink was the first woman in graffiti to make a national name for herself, and in the process carved out space for other women in the male-dominated field.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Today, she’s lending her skills and expertise to the students of \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/graffiticampforgirls/?hl=en\">Graffiti Camp for Girls\u003c/a> as they take on their first mural-sized project.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990889\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00582_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graffiti artist Lady Pink poses for a portrait on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s important to hand down our craft to the youth,” Lady Pink tells KQED in the alley, during a break “They don’t teach mural painting in schools so much. They teach painting, but they don’t teach mural painting. So, we’ll get a big wall and we’ll let the kids express themselves in a giant size.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Once the mural is completed, it will be unveiled at an event on Friday, June 19, from 4–5 p.m. in Clarion Alley. Lady Pink, who starred in the groundbreaking 1982 hip-hop film \u003cem>Wild Style\u003c/em>, will be present for a meet and greet.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now in its 10th year, Graffiti Camp for Girls is led and founded by Nina Wright, known as local artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/girlmobb/?hl=en\">Girl Mobb\u003c/a>. Her goal is to equip young girls with street art skills and the basics of spray painting safely, with respirator masks, while giving them the space to create public art.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990888\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00545_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nina Wright (center) laughs with the students from the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For 16-year-old participant Aaliyah Garcia, the camp offers her a crucial outlet as she continues to “expand her creativity.” Though she has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember, she had no experience with spray painting prior to this week’s session.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m excited to have my art up in the world for everyone to see,” Garcia says. (The mural is scheduled to stay up in Clarion Alley for at least five years.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After a few days of participants getting the hang of graffiti basics and learning new skills with lettering, Lady Pink arrived Wednesday to offer insight on large-scale painting. Her role, she emphasizes, is to push young people in the right direction rather than influencing their art. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Kids love to paint big, they love to paint in the street,” Lady Pink says. “They don’t like to run from the police nearly as much as we did.”\u003cbr>\u003cbr>While Lady Pink came up in an outlaw era of unsanctioned graffiti, the opportunity for today’s youth to utilize “permission walls” and learn to express themselves is “absolutely priceless,” she says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I love to see the confidence and the growth in the kids when they do something,” she adds.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13990887\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/260617-LADYPINKCLARIONALLEY00487_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lady Pink, a graffiti artist, helps young girls develop their mural design at the Graffiti Camp for Girls on Clarion Alley in San Francisco on June 17, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After just a few hours under Lady Pink’s guidance, 13-year-old Carey Deeter felt that confidence developing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Deeter had joined the camp because of her admiration for street art across the city, and while at first she’d been slower and more controlled with the spray paint, she learned to follow Lady Pink’s advice to “just get it done, don’t overthink it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Once you get the hang of it, you can basically do whatever you want,” Deeter says. “It’s very easy to control and stuff. It’s very freeing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>A mural unveiling and meet-and-greet with Lady Pink takes place on Friday, June 19, from 4-5 p.m. in Clarion Alley in San Francisco. \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DZGj4OLTPB6/?hl=en\">\u003cem>Details and more information here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13990890/lady-pink-clarion-alley-graffiti-camp-for-girls-san-francisco",
"authors": [
"11972"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_70"
],
"tags": [
"arts_10278",
"arts_903",
"arts_22664",
"arts_1257",
"arts_1737",
"arts_1146"
],
"featImg": "arts_13990886",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13990771": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13990771",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13990771",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1781712185000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "club-deluxe-jazz-mr-tipples-san-francisco-haight-street",
"title": "The Deluxe Brings Jazz Back to San Francisco’s Haight Street",
"publishDate": 1781712185,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "The Deluxe Brings Jazz Back to San Francisco’s Haight Street | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>As Jay Bordeleau tells the story, the resurrection of Club Deluxe was more than kismet. It was an act of will by the jazz scene itself that paved the way to the venue’s official reopening Thursday, June 18, rechristened as \u003ca href=\"https://thedeluxesf.com/\">The Deluxe\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For more than three decades, the Haight-Ashbury club thrived as one of the city’s most welcoming jazz spots. It provided regular gigs for a disparate roster of hot-club and jump-blues bands, hard-bop outfits, swing combos and sultry singers. A messy public dispute between the landlord and Deluxe proprietor Sarah Wilde eventually led to its closure in April 2023, a loss that many musicians refused to accept.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Within months, persistent efforts by Deluxe regulars connected Bordeleau, who owns the Hayes Valley jazz supper club Mr. Tipple’s, with Christian Beaulieu, a musician and Deluxe bartender who was one of the venue’s presiding spirits during its last incarnation. After several musicians implored him to meet with Beaulieu, Bordeleau relented.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“OK, jeez, I guess I’ve got to have coffee with this guy,” he said. “These were all musicians I trusted to take care of me, so it wasn’t so much a business referral as it felt like, this might be your soulmate.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg\" alt=\"man with shaved sides of head bartends beside coworker in cozy bar\" class=\"wp-image-13990831\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu bartends at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026. (Dennis Hearne)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first date went well, followed by further discussions and more lobbying by musicians. As so often happens in San Francisco, the path to reviving Deluxe was strewn with obstacles. The reopening date was pushed back several times as they refurbished the Art Deco interior, maintaining its intimate speakeasy vibe. Beaulieu ended up managing Mr. Tipple’s for about two years, a working courtship that confirmed they were ready to take the plunge together.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the musicians who perform at Mr. Tipple’s will be in the Deluxe mix, but Beaulieu wants to make sure that the former Haight cast is also well represented. He hasn’t shed his identity as a musician known for his work in raucous bands like Triclops! (“I’m writing a book about my experiences, a self-help book for artists who have lost their way,” he said), but he found that Deluxe seemed to follow him wherever he went.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was bartending at a few different places and I couldn’t stop hearing about Deluxe,” Beaulieu said. “Half the time people who had no idea I’d worked there brought it up randomly. Every shift I worked someone would mention that place. We all felt a profound loss when it closed but I had no way to gauge how special it was until I was working around the city.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg\" alt=\"four people face each other over bar, chatting, happy\" class=\"wp-image-13990834\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu chats with The Deluxe patrons Steve Heilig, Oran Scott and Aimee Duddridge-Picard. (Dennis Hearne)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For at least two generations of jazz musicians, coming of age in the Bay Area meant landing a gig at Deluxe. Multi-reed player Steven Lugerner, whose band JACKNIFE plays the club June 20, was the first musician to connect Bordeleau with Beaulieu. Growing up on the Peninsula, he’d made numerous forays into the Haight and ended up loitering near to door, listening to music pouring out of the club.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He started frequenting Deluxe on trips home while studying jazz in New York City, and when he moved back to the Bay Area it was one of the first places he looked for work.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I sent an email to Sarah and she offered me the first Wednesday of every month,” he recalled. “I immediately pitched her on the JACKNIFE band,” which focuses on music by alto sax great Jackie McLean. It was a perch that helped Lugerner become a widely influential force who launched a popular weekly jam session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.stookeysblueroom.com/musicandevents\">Stookey’s Blue Room\u003c/a> and helps run the Stanford Jazz Workshop as director of educational and festival programming.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Vocalist Emily Day can’t remember exactly when she made the transition from ardent patron to Deluxe headliner, but she treasured both sides of the finely calibrated equation. “As a patron, there was something transformative when you’d enter the space,” she says. “You didn’t have to look up who was playing there. No matter the type of music, the crowd was all for it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg\" alt=\"jazz band in small venue with seated audience under Art Deco murals\" class=\"wp-image-13990835\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Barrio Manouche performs for an audience at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026. (Dennis Hearne)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bordeleau and Beaulieu have maintained the essential geography that sparks the room’s center-of-the-action feel, which contains a side for engaged, interactive listening and a convivial bar-top environment for socializing. Emily Day and the Cosmo Alleycats started playing at Deluxe around 2018, filling in at first for Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When we finally did land a regular gig, third Fridays, it quickly became our favorite,” Day said. “Not to say we made a lot of money, but we’d turn away private performances for those gigs. As a performer, one of the greatest things was the blur between the band and audience. It felt like the most amazing house party and you’re all on the same team. You want everything about this night to be a success.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Coming amid news that some of San Francisco’s beloved venues and dive bars are closing or up for sale, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sf-dive-bars-sale-22299738.php\">Make Out Room and the Latin American Club\u003c/a>, the Deluxe revival is a welcome sign that that the city hasn’t lost all its swing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I would not be doing it if I was not confident in the scene,” Bordeleau said. “Intimate live music with a community audience is really special and valued, and people didn’t want to let it go.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Deluxe’s (1511 Haight St., San Francisco) soft opening takes place June 18 with a performance by string player and vocalist Mitch Polzak. On Friday, June 19, saxophonist James Mahone performs at 6 p.m., followed by drummer Miles Turk at 8 p.m\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As Jay Bordeleau tells the story, the resurrection of Club Deluxe was more than kismet. It was an act of will by the jazz scene itself that paved the way to the venue’s official reopening Thursday, June 18, rechristened as \u003ca href=\"https://thedeluxesf.com/\">The Deluxe\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As Jay Bordeleau tells the story, the resurrection of Club Deluxe was more than kismet. It was an act of will by the jazz scene itself that paved the way to the venue’s official reopening Thursday, June 18, rechristened as \u003ca href=\"https://thedeluxesf.com/\">The Deluxe\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For more than three decades, the Haight-Ashbury club thrived as one of the city’s most welcoming jazz spots. It provided regular gigs for a disparate roster of hot-club and jump-blues bands, hard-bop outfits, swing combos and sultry singers. A messy public dispute between the landlord and Deluxe proprietor Sarah Wilde eventually led to its closure in April 2023, a loss that many musicians refused to accept.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For more than three decades, the Haight-Ashbury club thrived as one of the city’s most welcoming jazz spots. It provided regular gigs for a disparate roster of hot-club and jump-blues bands, hard-bop outfits, swing combos and sultry singers. A messy public dispute between the landlord and Deluxe proprietor Sarah Wilde eventually led to its closure in April 2023, a loss that many musicians refused to accept.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Within months, persistent efforts by Deluxe regulars connected Bordeleau, who owns the Hayes Valley jazz supper club Mr. Tipple’s, with Christian Beaulieu, a musician and Deluxe bartender who was one of the venue’s presiding spirits during its last incarnation. After several musicians implored him to meet with Beaulieu, Bordeleau relented.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Within months, persistent efforts by Deluxe regulars connected Bordeleau, who owns the Hayes Valley jazz supper club Mr. Tipple’s, with Christian Beaulieu, a musician and Deluxe bartender who was one of the venue’s presiding spirits during its last incarnation. After several musicians implored him to meet with Beaulieu, Bordeleau relented.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“OK, jeez, I guess I’ve got to have coffee with this guy,” he said. “These were all musicians I trusted to take care of me, so it wasn’t so much a business referral as it felt like, this might be your soulmate.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“OK, jeez, I guess I’ve got to have coffee with this guy,” he said. “These were all musicians I trusted to take care of me, so it wasn’t so much a business referral as it felt like, this might be your soulmate.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990831,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Dennis Hearne",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-768x512.jpeg 768w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg\" alt=\"man with shaved sides of head bartends beside coworker in cozy bar\" class=\"wp-image-13990831\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu bartends at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg\" alt=\"man with shaved sides of head bartends beside coworker in cozy bar\" class=\"wp-image-13990831\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu bartends at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The first date went well, followed by further discussions and more lobbying by musicians. As so often happens in San Francisco, the path to reviving Deluxe was strewn with obstacles. The reopening date was pushed back several times as they refurbished the Art Deco interior, maintaining its intimate speakeasy vibe. Beaulieu ended up managing Mr. Tipple’s for about two years, a working courtship that confirmed they were ready to take the plunge together.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The first date went well, followed by further discussions and more lobbying by musicians. As so often happens in San Francisco, the path to reviving Deluxe was strewn with obstacles. The reopening date was pushed back several times as they refurbished the Art Deco interior, maintaining its intimate speakeasy vibe. Beaulieu ended up managing Mr. Tipple’s for about two years, a working courtship that confirmed they were ready to take the plunge together.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Many of the musicians who perform at Mr. Tipple’s will be in the Deluxe mix, but Beaulieu wants to make sure that the former Haight cast is also well represented. He hasn’t shed his identity as a musician known for his work in raucous bands like Triclops! (“I’m writing a book about my experiences, a self-help book for artists who have lost their way,” he said), but he found that Deluxe seemed to follow him wherever he went.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Many of the musicians who perform at Mr. Tipple’s will be in the Deluxe mix, but Beaulieu wants to make sure that the former Haight cast is also well represented. He hasn’t shed his identity as a musician known for his work in raucous bands like Triclops! (“I’m writing a book about my experiences, a self-help book for artists who have lost their way,” he said), but he found that Deluxe seemed to follow him wherever he went.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I was bartending at a few different places and I couldn’t stop hearing about Deluxe,” Beaulieu said. “Half the time people who had no idea I’d worked there brought it up randomly. Every shift I worked someone would mention that place. We all felt a profound loss when it closed but I had no way to gauge how special it was until I was working around the city.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I was bartending at a few different places and I couldn’t stop hearing about Deluxe,” Beaulieu said. “Half the time people who had no idea I’d worked there brought it up randomly. Every shift I worked someone would mention that place. We all felt a profound loss when it closed but I had no way to gauge how special it was until I was working around the city.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990834,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Dennis Hearne",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-768x512.jpeg 768w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg\" alt=\"four people face each other over bar, chatting, happy\" class=\"wp-image-13990834\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu chats with The Deluxe patrons Steve Heilig, Oran Scott and Aimee Duddridge-Picard.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg\" alt=\"four people face each other over bar, chatting, happy\" class=\"wp-image-13990834\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu chats with The Deluxe patrons Steve Heilig, Oran Scott and Aimee Duddridge-Picard.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For at least two generations of jazz musicians, coming of age in the Bay Area meant landing a gig at Deluxe. Multi-reed player Steven Lugerner, whose band JACKNIFE plays the club June 20, was the first musician to connect Bordeleau with Beaulieu. Growing up on the Peninsula, he’d made numerous forays into the Haight and ended up loitering near to door, listening to music pouring out of the club.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For at least two generations of jazz musicians, coming of age in the Bay Area meant landing a gig at Deluxe. Multi-reed player Steven Lugerner, whose band JACKNIFE plays the club June 20, was the first musician to connect Bordeleau with Beaulieu. Growing up on the Peninsula, he’d made numerous forays into the Haight and ended up loitering near to door, listening to music pouring out of the club.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He started frequenting Deluxe on trips home while studying jazz in New York City, and when he moved back to the Bay Area it was one of the first places he looked for work.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He started frequenting Deluxe on trips home while studying jazz in New York City, and when he moved back to the Bay Area it was one of the first places he looked for work.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I sent an email to Sarah and she offered me the first Wednesday of every month,” he recalled. “I immediately pitched her on the JACKNIFE band,” which focuses on music by alto sax great Jackie McLean. It was a perch that helped Lugerner become a widely influential force who launched a popular weekly jam session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.stookeysblueroom.com/musicandevents\">Stookey’s Blue Room\u003c/a> and helps run the Stanford Jazz Workshop as director of educational and festival programming.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I sent an email to Sarah and she offered me the first Wednesday of every month,” he recalled. “I immediately pitched her on the JACKNIFE band,” which focuses on music by alto sax great Jackie McLean. It was a perch that helped Lugerner become a widely influential force who launched a popular weekly jam session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.stookeysblueroom.com/musicandevents\">Stookey’s Blue Room\u003c/a> and helps run the Stanford Jazz Workshop as director of educational and festival programming.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Vocalist Emily Day can’t remember exactly when she made the transition from ardent patron to Deluxe headliner, but she treasured both sides of the finely calibrated equation. “As a patron, there was something transformative when you’d enter the space,” she says. “You didn’t have to look up who was playing there. No matter the type of music, the crowd was all for it.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Vocalist Emily Day can’t remember exactly when she made the transition from ardent patron to Deluxe headliner, but she treasured both sides of the finely calibrated equation. “As a patron, there was something transformative when you’d enter the space,” she says. “You didn’t have to look up who was playing there. No matter the type of music, the crowd was all for it.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13990835,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Dennis Hearne",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-768x512.jpeg 768w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg\" alt=\"jazz band in small venue with seated audience under Art Deco murals\" class=\"wp-image-13990835\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Barrio Manouche performs for an audience at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg\" alt=\"jazz band in small venue with seated audience under Art Deco murals\" class=\"wp-image-13990835\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Barrio Manouche performs for an audience at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bordeleau and Beaulieu have maintained the essential geography that sparks the room’s center-of-the-action feel, which contains a side for engaged, interactive listening and a convivial bar-top environment for socializing. Emily Day and the Cosmo Alleycats started playing at Deluxe around 2018, filling in at first for Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bordeleau and Beaulieu have maintained the essential geography that sparks the room’s center-of-the-action feel, which contains a side for engaged, interactive listening and a convivial bar-top environment for socializing. Emily Day and the Cosmo Alleycats started playing at Deluxe around 2018, filling in at first for Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When we finally did land a regular gig, third Fridays, it quickly became our favorite,” Day said. “Not to say we made a lot of money, but we’d turn away private performances for those gigs. As a performer, one of the greatest things was the blur between the band and audience. It felt like the most amazing house party and you’re all on the same team. You want everything about this night to be a success.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“When we finally did land a regular gig, third Fridays, it quickly became our favorite,” Day said. “Not to say we made a lot of money, but we’d turn away private performances for those gigs. As a performer, one of the greatest things was the blur between the band and audience. It felt like the most amazing house party and you’re all on the same team. You want everything about this night to be a success.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Coming amid news that some of San Francisco’s beloved venues and dive bars are closing or up for sale, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sf-dive-bars-sale-22299738.php\">Make Out Room and the Latin American Club\u003c/a>, the Deluxe revival is a welcome sign that that the city hasn’t lost all its swing.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Coming amid news that some of San Francisco’s beloved venues and dive bars are closing or up for sale, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sf-dive-bars-sale-22299738.php\">Make Out Room and the Latin American Club\u003c/a>, the Deluxe revival is a welcome sign that that the city hasn’t lost all its swing.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I would not be doing it if I was not confident in the scene,” Bordeleau said. “Intimate live music with a community audience is really special and valued, and people didn’t want to let it go.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I would not be doing it if I was not confident in the scene,” Bordeleau said. “Intimate live music with a community audience is really special and valued, and people didn’t want to let it go.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/separator",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"/>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Deluxe’s (1511 Haight St., San Francisco) soft opening takes place June 18 with a performance by string player and vocalist Mitch Polzak. On Friday, June 19, saxophonist James Mahone performs at 6 p.m., followed by drummer Miles Turk at 8 p.m\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Deluxe’s (1511 Haight St., San Francisco) soft opening takes place June 18 with a performance by string player and vocalist Mitch Polzak. On Friday, June 19, saxophonist James Mahone performs at 6 p.m., followed by drummer Miles Turk at 8 p.m\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The owner of Mr. Tipple’s and a beloved musician teamed up to revive the local hot spot.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1781712194,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 18,
"wordCount": 1045
},
"headData": {
"title": "The Deluxe Brings Jazz Back to San Francisco’s Haight Street | KQED",
"description": "The owner of Mr. Tipple’s and a beloved musician teamed up to revive the local hot spot.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "The Deluxe Brings Jazz Back to San Francisco’s Haight Street",
"datePublished": "2026-06-17T09:03:05-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-06-17T09:03:14-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13990771",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13990771/club-deluxe-jazz-mr-tipples-san-francisco-haight-street",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As Jay Bordeleau tells the story, the resurrection of Club Deluxe was more than kismet. It was an act of will by the jazz scene itself that paved the way to the venue’s official reopening Thursday, June 18, rechristened as \u003ca href=\"https://thedeluxesf.com/\">The Deluxe\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For more than three decades, the Haight-Ashbury club thrived as one of the city’s most welcoming jazz spots. It provided regular gigs for a disparate roster of hot-club and jump-blues bands, hard-bop outfits, swing combos and sultry singers. A messy public dispute between the landlord and Deluxe proprietor Sarah Wilde eventually led to its closure in April 2023, a loss that many musicians refused to accept.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Within months, persistent efforts by Deluxe regulars connected Bordeleau, who owns the Hayes Valley jazz supper club Mr. Tipple’s, with Christian Beaulieu, a musician and Deluxe bartender who was one of the venue’s presiding spirits during its last incarnation. After several musicians implored him to meet with Beaulieu, Bordeleau relented.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“OK, jeez, I guess I’ve got to have coffee with this guy,” he said. “These were all musicians I trusted to take care of me, so it wasn’t so much a business referral as it felt like, this might be your soulmate.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg\" alt=\"man with shaved sides of head bartends beside coworker in cozy bar\" class=\"wp-image-13990831\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350458-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu bartends at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026. (Dennis Hearne)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first date went well, followed by further discussions and more lobbying by musicians. As so often happens in San Francisco, the path to reviving Deluxe was strewn with obstacles. The reopening date was pushed back several times as they refurbished the Art Deco interior, maintaining its intimate speakeasy vibe. Beaulieu ended up managing Mr. Tipple’s for about two years, a working courtship that confirmed they were ready to take the plunge together.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the musicians who perform at Mr. Tipple’s will be in the Deluxe mix, but Beaulieu wants to make sure that the former Haight cast is also well represented. He hasn’t shed his identity as a musician known for his work in raucous bands like Triclops! (“I’m writing a book about my experiences, a self-help book for artists who have lost their way,” he said), but he found that Deluxe seemed to follow him wherever he went.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was bartending at a few different places and I couldn’t stop hearing about Deluxe,” Beaulieu said. “Half the time people who had no idea I’d worked there brought it up randomly. Every shift I worked someone would mention that place. We all felt a profound loss when it closed but I had no way to gauge how special it was until I was working around the city.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg\" alt=\"four people face each other over bar, chatting, happy\" class=\"wp-image-13990834\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/L1350446-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christian Beaulieu chats with The Deluxe patrons Steve Heilig, Oran Scott and Aimee Duddridge-Picard. (Dennis Hearne)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For at least two generations of jazz musicians, coming of age in the Bay Area meant landing a gig at Deluxe. Multi-reed player Steven Lugerner, whose band JACKNIFE plays the club June 20, was the first musician to connect Bordeleau with Beaulieu. Growing up on the Peninsula, he’d made numerous forays into the Haight and ended up loitering near to door, listening to music pouring out of the club.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He started frequenting Deluxe on trips home while studying jazz in New York City, and when he moved back to the Bay Area it was one of the first places he looked for work.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I sent an email to Sarah and she offered me the first Wednesday of every month,” he recalled. “I immediately pitched her on the JACKNIFE band,” which focuses on music by alto sax great Jackie McLean. It was a perch that helped Lugerner become a widely influential force who launched a popular weekly jam session at \u003ca href=\"https://www.stookeysblueroom.com/musicandevents\">Stookey’s Blue Room\u003c/a> and helps run the Stanford Jazz Workshop as director of educational and festival programming.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Vocalist Emily Day can’t remember exactly when she made the transition from ardent patron to Deluxe headliner, but she treasured both sides of the finely calibrated equation. “As a patron, there was something transformative when you’d enter the space,” she says. “You didn’t have to look up who was playing there. No matter the type of music, the crowd was all for it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg\" alt=\"jazz band in small venue with seated audience under Art Deco murals\" class=\"wp-image-13990835\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2.jpeg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/DELUXE-VENUE-2-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Barrio Manouche performs for an audience at The Deluxe on June 13, 2026. (Dennis Hearne)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bordeleau and Beaulieu have maintained the essential geography that sparks the room’s center-of-the-action feel, which contains a side for engaged, interactive listening and a convivial bar-top environment for socializing. Emily Day and the Cosmo Alleycats started playing at Deluxe around 2018, filling in at first for Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When we finally did land a regular gig, third Fridays, it quickly became our favorite,” Day said. “Not to say we made a lot of money, but we’d turn away private performances for those gigs. As a performer, one of the greatest things was the blur between the band and audience. It felt like the most amazing house party and you’re all on the same team. You want everything about this night to be a success.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Coming amid news that some of San Francisco’s beloved venues and dive bars are closing or up for sale, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sf-dive-bars-sale-22299738.php\">Make Out Room and the Latin American Club\u003c/a>, the Deluxe revival is a welcome sign that that the city hasn’t lost all its swing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I would not be doing it if I was not confident in the scene,” Bordeleau said. “Intimate live music with a community audience is really special and valued, and people didn’t want to let it go.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>The Deluxe’s (1511 Haight St., San Francisco) soft opening takes place June 18 with a performance by string player and vocalist Mitch Polzak. On Friday, June 19, saxophonist James Mahone performs at 6 p.m., followed by drummer Miles Turk at 8 p.m\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13990771/club-deluxe-jazz-mr-tipples-san-francisco-haight-street",
"authors": [
"86"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_69",
"arts_235"
],
"tags": [
"arts_10278",
"arts_1420",
"arts_1146"
],
"featImg": "arts_13990832",
"label": "arts"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"radioSearchSegmentsReducer": {},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/arts?category=music": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 12,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 12,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 4894,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"arts_13991183",
"arts_13991309",
"arts_13991284",
"arts_13991246",
"arts_13991214",
"arts_13991172",
"arts_13991166",
"arts_13991008",
"arts_13991001",
"arts_13990938",
"arts_13990890",
"arts_13990771"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts_category_music": {
"isLoading": true
},
"arts_69": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_69",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "69",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Music",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Music Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 70,
"slug": "music",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/music"
},
"source_arts_13991284": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_arts_13991284",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "The Do List",
"link": "https://www.kqed.org/thedolist",
"isLoading": false
},
"source_arts_13991246": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_arts_13991246",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "The Do List",
"link": "https://www.kqed.org/thedolist",
"isLoading": false
},
"arts_1": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/arts"
},
"arts_8505": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_8505",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "8505",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "bay area hip-hop",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "bay area hip-hop Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8517,
"slug": "bay-area-hip-hop",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/bay-area-hip-hop"
},
"arts_10278": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_10278",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "10278",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-arts Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10290,
"slug": "featured-arts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/featured-arts"
},
"arts_6975": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_6975",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "6975",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Hyphy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Hyphy Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6987,
"slug": "hyphy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/hyphy"
},
"arts_1143": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1143",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1143",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Oakland Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 692,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/oakland"
},
"arts_22382": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22382",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22382",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "rap music",
"slug": "rap-music",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "rap music | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22394,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/rap-music"
},
"arts_19347": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_19347",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "19347",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "tmw-latest",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "tmw-latest Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19359,
"slug": "tmw-latest",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/tmw-latest"
},
"arts_21866": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21866",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21866",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts and Culture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts and Culture Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21878,
"slug": "arts-and-culture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/arts-and-culture"
},
"arts_22662": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22662",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22662",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Music",
"slug": "music",
"taxonomy": "interest",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Music | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22674,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/music"
},
"arts_21860": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21860",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21860",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Oakland Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21872,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/oakland"
},
"arts_235": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_235",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "235",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 236,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/news"
},
"arts_22068": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22068",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22068",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "festivals",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "festivals Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 22080,
"slug": "festivals",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/festivals"
},
"arts_1420": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1420",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1420",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "jazz",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "jazz Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1432,
"slug": "jazz",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/jazz"
},
"arts_1084": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1084",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1084",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Jose",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Jose Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1101,
"slug": "san-jose",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/san-jose"
},
"arts_2475": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_2475",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "2475",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "South Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "South Bay Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2487,
"slug": "south-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/south-bay"
},
"arts_21863": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21863",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21863",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21875,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/news"
},
"arts_21861": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21861",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21861",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "South Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "South Bay Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21873,
"slug": "south-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/south-bay"
},
"arts_140": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_140",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "140",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "The Do List",
"slug": "the-do-list",
"taxonomy": "program",
"description": null,
"featImg": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/11/The-Do-LIst-logo-2014-horizontal-015.png",
"headData": {
"title": "The Do List Archives | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 141,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/program/the-do-list"
},
"arts_22313": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22313",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22313",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "The Do List",
"slug": "the-do-list",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "The Do List | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22325,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/the-do-list"
},
"arts_1088": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1088",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1088",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Hiero Day",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Hiero Day Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1105,
"slug": "hiero-day",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/hiero-day"
},
"arts_2284": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_2284",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "2284",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Hieroglyphics",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Hieroglyphics Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2296,
"slug": "hieroglyphics",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/hieroglyphics"
},
"arts_1146": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1146",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1146",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 701,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/san-francisco"
},
"arts_585": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_585",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "585",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "thedolist",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "thedolist Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 590,
"slug": "thedolist",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/thedolist"
},
"arts_21879": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21879",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21879",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Entertainment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Entertainment Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21891,
"slug": "entertainment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/entertainment"
},
"arts_21870": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21870",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21870",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Events",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Events Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21882,
"slug": "events",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/events"
},
"arts_21859": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21859",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21859",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21871,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/san-francisco"
},
"arts_70": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_70",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "70",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Visual Arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Visual Arts Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 71,
"slug": "visualarts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/visualarts"
},
"arts_4018": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_4018",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "4018",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "bayview",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "bayview Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4030,
"slug": "bayview",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/bayview"
},
"arts_659": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_659",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "659",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "free",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "free Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 668,
"slug": "free",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/free"
},
"arts_973": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_973",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "973",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "science Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 991,
"slug": "science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/science"
},
"arts_21867": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21867",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21867",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Science Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21879,
"slug": "science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/science"
},
"arts_1312": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1312",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1312",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "classical music",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"socialTitle": "From Symphony Hall to Hidden Gems: Bay Area's Classical Music Stories",
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "Immerse yourself in the Bay Area's rich classical music world! KQED brings you news, educational resources, and event listings.",
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "index",
"title": "From Symphony Hall to Hidden Gems: Bay Area's Classical Music Stories",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1324,
"slug": "classical-music",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/classical-music"
},
"arts_21836": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21836",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21836",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco Conservatory of Music",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Conservatory of Music Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21848,
"slug": "san-francisco-conservatory-of-music",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/san-francisco-conservatory-of-music"
},
"arts_1367": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1367",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1367",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco Symphony",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Symphony Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1379,
"slug": "san-francisco-symphony",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/san-francisco-symphony"
},
"arts_75": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_75",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "75",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Pop Culture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Pop Culture Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 76,
"slug": "popculture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/popculture"
},
"arts_994": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_994",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "994",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "metal",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "metal Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1012,
"slug": "metal",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/metal"
},
"arts_1010": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1010",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1010",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Metallica",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Metallica Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1027,
"slug": "metallica",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/metallica"
},
"arts_5292": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_5292",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "5292",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "uk",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "uk Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5304,
"slug": "uk",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/uk"
},
"arts_7862": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_7862",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "7862",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "History",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "History Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 7874,
"slug": "history",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/history"
},
"arts_9964": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_9964",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "9964",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "bay area punk",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "bay area punk Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 9976,
"slug": "bay-area-punk",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/bay-area-punk"
},
"arts_10342": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_10342",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "10342",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "editorspick",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "editorspick Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10354,
"slug": "editorspick",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/editorspick"
},
"arts_1257": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1257",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1257",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Mission District",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Mission District Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1269,
"slug": "mission-district",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/mission-district"
},
"arts_913": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_913",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "913",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "punk",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "punk Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 931,
"slug": "punk",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/punk"
},
"arts_1501": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1501",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1501",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "electronic music",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "electronic music Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1513,
"slug": "electronic-music",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/electronic-music"
},
"arts_74": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_74",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "74",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Movies",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Movies Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 75,
"slug": "movies",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/movies"
},
"arts_990": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_990",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "990",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "TV",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "TV Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1008,
"slug": "tv",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/tv"
},
"arts_22664": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22664",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22664",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "hip-hop",
"slug": "hip-hop-2",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "hip-hop | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22676,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/hip-hop-2"
},
"arts_13427": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_13427",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13427",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "journalism",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "journalism Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 13439,
"slug": "journalism",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/journalism"
},
"arts_14679": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_14679",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "14679",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "multimedia",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "multimedia Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 14691,
"slug": "multimedia",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/multimedia"
},
"arts_7137": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_7137",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "7137",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "youth radio",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "youth radio Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 7149,
"slug": "youth-radio",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/youth-radio"
},
"arts_21871": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21871",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21871",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "East Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "East Bay Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21883,
"slug": "east-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/east-bay"
},
"arts_1564": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1564",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1564",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Remembrance",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Remembrance Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1576,
"slug": "remembrance",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/remembrance"
},
"arts_1845": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1845",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1845",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Grateful Dead",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Grateful Dead Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1857,
"slug": "grateful-dead",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/grateful-dead"
},
"arts_1846": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1846",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1846",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Janis Joplin",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Janis Joplin Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1858,
"slug": "janis-joplin",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/janis-joplin"
},
"arts_3620": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_3620",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "3620",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "music industry",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "music industry Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3632,
"slug": "music-industry",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/music-industry"
},
"arts_21789": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21789",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21789",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "obituary",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "obituary Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21801,
"slug": "obituary",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/obituary"
},
"arts_21868": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21868",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21868",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21880,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/california"
},
"arts_903": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_903",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "903",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "graffiti",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "graffiti Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 921,
"slug": "graffiti",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/graffiti"
},
"arts_1737": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1737",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1737",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "murals",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "murals Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1749,
"slug": "murals",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/murals"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
}
}
