DJ RasCue-Black Burgundy(Eb.F of Various Blends/Cali Agents) / Events / Knitting Factory

Knitting Factory

Zion-I (Oakland, CA) - Hip Hop

With more than two-dozen albums, mixtapes, EP’s and vibrant collaborations, the Oakland based MC/Producer Zion I (a.k.a. Zumbi) is in the top echelon, as far as conscious party-rocking hip-hop. After years of collaboration with producer Amp Live and DJ K-Genius and other notables, the Oakland-based rapper/ songwriter has evolved as an independent touring artist.

His progressive stay-true-to-the-core lyricism is uniquely embraced across all genres of music and his collaborations, with some of the greatest in the industry, is an evolutionary norm for Zion I. From the reggae-rock giants Rebelution, to hip-hop nostalgia Too Short, along with Devin The Dude and The Roots MC, Black Thought, to EDM DJ extraordinaire, Bassnectar, heavy hitting rockers Linkin Park and alternative rock/reggae-rapper Matisyahu, Zion I continues’ to impress with soulful goods.

As an MC, Zion I emulates the purest form of hip-hop, bringing forth a socially conscious lyrical deliverance and high energy party-rockin’ live show that captivates his audience, making him a festival fan-favorite from coast to coast. The international touring artist has performed at some of the most reputable music festivals across the globe. Some of the more notable festivals include: Coachella, Rock the Bells, Treasure Island Music Fest, Lightning In A Bottle, Outside Lands, California Roots Music and Arts Festival, Hangout Music Festival, Splash Fest (Germany), HipHop Kemp (Czech Republic), Rifflandia (British Columbia), Sonic Bloom, Paid Dues, Snow Globe and most recently the urban lifestyle music and arts festival, Bay Area Vibez with Bassnectar, Nas and Damian Marley. Zion I toured the summer 2016 with Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, The Grouch and Eligh on The Return Of The Redeye tour.

Some of the many other artists Zion I has performed with include, Kendrick Lamar, Wu-Tang, Pretty Lights, E-40, The Roots, Soja, The Game, Flying Lotus, Matisyahu, Griz, Emancipator, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Collie Buddz and Common.

Zion I is a gestalt of lived geographic experience. Coming from Philadelphia, he also lived in Cincinnati, Rhode Island, Houston and Atlanta – although, he views Oakland, his current residence of nineteen years as his home. “It is the place where my music first grew. I have always loved the diversity and culture of rebellion that is in the heart of Oakland,” said Zion I. There’s every shade of color here. When people see injustice, there is a collective activation that takes place and we take to the streets to fire back at the system. The history of the Black Panthers is still alive in the hearts of many. I live and breathe this energy of this community, with its turbulent rise and fall of the struggle to live with dignity. I draw tremendous inspiration in my lyrics from the town.”

“I hope to be an example for the next generation; showing that you can live out your
dreams and pursue your goals with passion and exuberance,” said Zion I.

Zion I released his new full-length fifteen-song album, The Labyrinth in October, 2016. He describes the record as melodic and bass heavy. “It was cool being able to hit the people with some new vibes and give them a current window into my world. I've also got the new ZGE - Zion I, Grouch, and Eligh record on deck, which will drop in early 2017. I’m also working on a dope project with Locksmith, which is a more lyrically driven record with classic sample-driven production. Locksmith is one of the most skilled MC's on the west coast, so this project is for true fans of lyricism,” says Zumbi

Catalog highlights include The Grouch-joined linguistic clinic “Silly Puddy,” early K.Flay standout appearance on the Electro-driven “Coastin’,” and the gritty turf-talk of “Don’t Lose Ya Head” alongside Too Short.

Mister Burns (Burlington, VT) - Hip Hop

Mister Burns is a Vermont raised Hip Hop artist based out of Burlington, VT. Growing up in Southern VT supporting the Hip Hop scene Mister Burns honed his skills through freestyling all around the state. Moving to Burlington in 2009 he founded The Lynguistic Civilians, as one of the MC's he also served as the group's sole producer, manager, and booking agent. Since the dissolution of the group Mister Burns has created a solid solo career. He has performed 1,000+ shows all over the East Coast headling tours as well as serving as direct support for the likes of Masta Ace, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, Apathy, Elzhi, Sadat X and many more.

DJ RasCue (San Fran/Bay Area, CA) - Hip Hop, Reggae-Dancehall, Funk, etc.

DJ RasCue (aka EBF of Various Blends/Black Burgundy) is a veteran DJ and MC from the San Francisco-Bay Area. For 20 years-plus, RasCue has been a prominent and widely known deejay in California for his ability to spin a large variety of genres, seamless mixing skills and live remixing. As far as the genres RasCue spins include: Hip-Hop, Reggae-Dancehall, Funk and Soul, House, Techno, Pop and Club Music, Latin, African and World music, Bass and Electronic music, R&B/Neo-Soul and many more! RasCue was named "Best All-Around DJ" in San Francisco in 2000 by the SF Clubby Awards. RasCue has co-headlined shows with the likes of Dj's: Invisbl Skratch Piklz (Q-Bert, Mix Master Mike, Apollo), World Famous Beat Junkies (J-Rocc, Shortkut, Babu, Rhettmatic, D-Syyles, Havik, What?, Mr. Choc, Melo-D), Peanut Butter Wolf, Jay-J, Miguel Migs, Steve Aoki, Breakbeat Lou, Tony Touch, Max Glazer, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyke, Spinna, Mark Farina, Ray Reck, Heather, Nu-Mark, Z-Trip, Rich Medina, David Harness, Pete Tong, Jah Warrior Shelter (Jah Yzer, Ivier, Irie Dole) and many more. RasCue has served as a Tour DJ for Vocalist "Faye Medeson", "Cali-Agents (Rasco & Planet Asia)", "Zion I", "Pismo (Burnt Batch)", "Mister Burns (VT)" and single shows for Mos Def and Mystic.

As one of the founding members of the legendary underground hip-hop group "Various Blends (w/ Solefather Rasco and Friz-B the Freethinker)", RasCue (aka "EBF") has recorded two full-length albums ("Levitude" on Baraka/Caroline Records and the unreleased "Fanna Burn") and recorded numerous guest verses for artists worldwide! RasCue is in the process of recording a reunion EP with Various Blends and solo albums produced by Freddie Cruger (Red Astaire) from Stockholm, Sweden and "King-D" form Malmo, Sweden. He has toured over 30 countries and performed with 2Pac, Cypress Hill, The Killers, Rev. Horton Heat, The Specials, Ghostface Killah, Israel Vibration, Don Carlos, DJ Shadow, Sean Price, Cut Chemist, Tha Alkaholiks, Coolio, Madlib, LOTUG, RA the Rugged Man, Blackalicious, Organized Konfusion (Pharaohe Monch & Prince Po), Gangstarr, MF Doom, Lords of the Underground, Anticon, JARV, Hieroglyphics (Souls of Mischief, Del, Casual, Opio, Pep Love, etc) and many, many more!