Rocky Rivera

Rocky Rivera
photo: Amanda Lopez

release date: February 2, 2010

Amanda Lopez shoots Los Rakas

I first met Dun Dun (formally known as Panama) when he was 16 years old making his rounds as a solo artist as part of the Bump Project in Oakland. His unique sound - a blend of hip hop, dancehall, & plena - was at once familar and unfamiliar, but don't dare call it reggaeton. The kind of music that this duo makes they refer to as Panabay Twist, and they've been lighting up the stage and television ever since, while the rest of the young world patiently awaits their debut album.

The exciting news is that Dun and I have already collaborated on Rocky Rivera, and he is one of the only features on the album on a song that I guarantee will be a slapper when it drops. And although it is entirely in Spanish and I mustered up whatever basic Español I retained in high school to decipher it haphazardly, my girl Amanda was dear enough to translate the verse to me (lol), which didn't disappoint. Big ups to Los Rakas, some of the hardest working artists in the Bay, and as the ladies noticed, not too bad on the eyes. Make sure you check out their music here, and the rest of the shots on Amanda Lopez's blog, La Vida Loca.

It's good to be back home

flick courtesy of jonuts.com

I've been on the road for 4 out of the past 6 weeks and finally, I am HOME! First of all, I'd like to say "THANK YOU!" to all the folks that came out to my Seattle show. My homie, Nam, says that Seattle gives the most love and I'd have to agree. A special shout out to all the homies from Silverdale that I hung out with 11 years ago that were able to make it out, and all the folks that came from Eastern Washington and Vancouver. I hope you enjoyed the show, and from the looks of it, I'll be coming back real soon *wink.

L-R: me, Nam, Hoven, & Carol

My road dawg, Carol, documented some of our adventures on her blog, so make sure you peep for all the details. (All I gotta say is that Shell station that sells catfish is THE SHIET).

Kerolos!

And if you want to know what the "B"IZNESS is, stay tuned to the homie, Jonas's blog, JONUTS.

SEATTLE! I'm BAAAACK ;)

No, I've never performed in Seattle before (this is my first!!!) but those of you who know me know that I lived in Washington my sophomore year of High School and I have a special place in my heart for the Pacific Northwest. So if you're in town, please stop by and see my show!

808/OOF Tour 2009

2009 can call itself lucky: I've been to NY and Hawaii twice this year, but the last trip to "Da Rock" (No Frisco) was more than recreational...it was my first trip as EyeASage! Now mind you, I tagged along with Bam with no particular motive except to hop on a show or two and show the folks how Baywaii really gets down, but luck would have it that I was able to convince the homie (and acclaimed filmmaker) Tad Nakamura to put me on the bill for his Honolulu premiere of "A Song For Ourselves". But in the days that followed, I learned a lot about life on the road as a touring MC (boys club, gay jokes) and what it takes to survive (making it to soundcheck, an awesome green room, and MERCH). Thank you, Hawaii! I'll be back sooner than you can say howzit.

The crowd was live!

Some of the good folks who approached after the show...

Aaron Yoshino, Phat, Carol, Bam & Eye

The Yin to their Yang (Chera, Chel, me, & Carol) Three C's and K!

Creed Chameleon, Geologic of the Blue Scholars, and Bambu

My road dawg and future tour manager :)

Bee who showed us macrobiotic eating, meaning he caught the fish and we ate it.

(It was soo good!)

Geo & Bam at Giovanni's (overrated)

Me at Matsumotos (also overrated)

The guys, volleying each other's balls

The awesome spread in the Rockstarz green room in Kona

Bam pontificating life...

Offroading!

(look at that water!)

Me and Sookie Stackhouse on the beach. (yes that's beef jerky)

For booking inquiries...HIT ME UP IN THE COMMENTS! (lol)