Community Roots July 12, 2009

Latin hip-hop ensemble Thank You Julius has been making waves in the underground hip-hop art scene. It combines electronic and live instrumentation with creative lyricism and heavy rhythm. Able Monk and the Perfarmers blend virtuosic vocals with world-infused rhythms, creating conscious music to dance to. Vocal artist Reason creates a hybrid style bridging hip-hop, reggae, and dub on songs drenched in socially and spiritually conscious lyricism. Singer-activist Renee Asteria blends reggae rock with a Latin touch. illtext has been a rapper-producer for the past 12 years. He is deeply rooted in the Bay Area scene and is part of the Survivalist Project.