Fiesta Tropical

I met DJ Sloe Poke when I was 17 years old at the Bboy Summit in San Diego, since then we hit it off. When DJayin was just a dream, he believed and encouraged me since day one. We've seen each other grow artistically & personally. I love this dude, Happy Birthday DJ Sloe Poke!!! Come celebrate his bday/cd release party with us at the Rhythm Lounge in downtown Long Beach!

Setenta "Funky Tumbao"

Just discovered a new band out of Paris France. SETENTA's, latin funk combo of seven musicians' fusion of nuyorican salsa, modern boogaloo and mambo immediately caught my attention. Bottom line, this album's off the hook! Listen; http://fatbeats.com

Thank You Afro Funké Pt2

It's an amazing feeling when you play for a crowd that's open to all genre's of music! Shout out to Jeremy Sole, Glenn Red, Cary Sullivan & Rocky Dawuni, thanks again for having me at Afro Funke'.

And for those who didn't make it, here's a snippet of what you missed, enjoy! Download HERE

Afro Funké

This Thursday Night, catch me spinning at Afro Funké in Santa Monica Ca. Live painting by one of my favorite artist, Steven Lopez. And of course the the Afro Funké Sound System always holding it down; Jeremy Sole, Glenn Red, hosted by Rocky Dawuni. Here's the details; Zanzibar 1301 5th St (at Arizona Ave); $7-$10 Cover http://afrofunke.com/

Justin Bua

This Satday June 12th 1pm-8pm, Justin Bua's Urban Art Studio will feature original paintings & drawings as the artist himself host conversations with leading artist, musician, dancers & more. Guest include; Mr Wiggles, Mear One, Mixmaster Mike & MORE! Free tickets for each interview session will be available at LACMA Box one hour before program.

I had the pleasure of meeting Justin a few years back when the Rock Steady Crew Anniversary came to LA. Aside from all the incredible art you'll be expose to, you don't want to miss Mr Wiggles' performance. Truly one of the best dancers I've ever seen!

LACMA; 5905 Wilshire Blvd Blvd Los Angeles CA 90036
For more info Justin Bua Blog or lacma.org

Root Down Returns To Gabah

That's right ya'll! If you remember Root Down's many legendary nights at Gabah, you know what you're getting into! So join us, this Thursdays June 17th & 24th with the usual suspects spinning all vinyl; Music Man Miles, Loslito, Sloe Poke, DJ Jedi & of course yours truly. 4658 Melrose Ave (1/2 West of Normandie) $5 Cover/ And if you know me personally, hit me up for guestlist!

ANDA 2 Year Anniversary

This Saturday, June 5th ANDA celebrates their 2 year anniversary. If you haven't experienced ANDA, you don't know what you're missing. It's quickly become one of my favorite latin parties in LA! So join resident DJ's Mando Fever, Gazoo, Gomez Comes Alive, Juan Lennon along with a special performance by Very Be Careful! Mal's Bar 2331 S Hill St Los Angeles CA 90007; $10 Cover All Night

It's A Man's World

This performance always gives me the chills! Speechless...

Sonido; First Wednesdays

DJ Sloe Poke is bringing you some of the best sounds and beyond! This Wednesday June 2nd at Little Temple (4519 Santa Monica Blvd) Here's the line up... DJ Sloe Poke, Rude One, Ervin Arana, Leche, Illadox, Ray Ricky Rivera, & more!

Sonido de Mayo

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Little Temple with some of my favorite LA latin performers and DJ's. Here's the line up, LA's best Latin Reggae Band Quinto Sol, Eastside Hip Hop/Cumbia Sensation Ray Ricky Rivera along Root Down's DJ's Sloe Poke & Ervin Arana; DJ Lengua, DJ Ganas & DJ Enorbito of Mas Exitos; The Sonidero King of LA/Monterey Mexican Dubweiser; Representing the ANDA Sound System Gomez Comes Alive & Highlands Sounds' DJ Rude One.

All going down at Little Temple (4519 Santa Monica Blvd in Silverlake) on Wednesday Night May 5th; For more info; ervinarana@gmail.com

Amoeba's First Ever Garage Sale

Bouncing Cats

A couple years ago, the Rock Steady Crew (Crazy Legs, Ynot & myself) along with director Nabil Elderkin traveled to Africa to shoot a documentary titled, "Bouncing Cats." This film is about Abrahmz Tekya and the Breakdance Project Uganda's effort to better the lives of misplaced children affected by war. The week I spent in Africa with Abrahmz inspired me more than words can express.

"Bouncing Cats" is set to debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Tuesday April 27th; Lido Regency Theatre 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach Ca 92663. For tickets & more info; http://newportbeach.bside.com

*Photo by Ervin Arana (2007)

R.I.P. Guru

Legendary MC Guru of Gang Starr passed away on the morning of April 19th after losing a battle with cancer. Guru was one of the first MC's I paid attention to. He provoked me to think and his lyrical content helped me understand life a little better. Thank you for your contribution to Hip Hop, Music & Life. Rest In Peace Guru

Record Store Day

Record store day was founded in 2007 to celebrate the unique culture of independent record stores throughout the world. I've spent a lot time at record stores and have fallen in love with this culture. So I thought I'd share my experiences with some of my favorite record stores. Here are a few words along with a record store pictorial...

The first record store I ever stepped into was Bagatelle Records. Every payday, I used to rush over to Bagatelle and dig through as many boxes of records as I possibly could. The store has it's designated sections for different genres of music, but my favorite place to dig, is in the random boxes of records Steve (the owner) has laying around the store. Steve always has more records stashed away somewhere, and you never know when he'll pull them out for you to look through. I'd say 80 percent of my record collection comes from Bagatelle. (260 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802)

Fingerprints has a nice selection of records, that I can't find anywhere else. I've taking a lot of chances on records there and found out about a lot of artist that I'm now a huge fan of. Don't sleep on Fingerprints. (4612-B E 2nd St Long Beach, CA 90803)

Fatbeats on Melrose is my first stop for Hip Hop. Whether I'm looking for something that just dropped or a classic 12" I may have missed, Fatbeats usually has it and has it cheap. (7600 Melrose Ave Suite J 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90046)

Then there's Amoeba Music. What can I say, the store feels like you're in music heaven. You can dig through the clearance section and find some serious heat for as low as $0.50. Any genre of music, Electronica, House, Hip Hop, Cumbia, and even country. Amoeba has something for EVERYONE! (6400 West Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028)















*Photography by Ervin Arana (2010)

Fire Away

This Tuesday April 20th at 6pm, Ozomatli will be performing at Amoeba Music (6400 Sunset Blvd Hollywood CA 90028) to celebrate the release of their new album Fire Away. I admit, I've been a little out of touch with Ozomatli's latest work and I haven't seen them perform for a couple years now, so I look forward to reconnecting with one of my favorite bands! For more info; http://www.ozomatli.com/

Thank You Afro Funké

This past Thursday night, I got to share the decks with some very inspirational DJ's. Jeremy Sole & Glenn Red have been digging deep to bring you feel good music from all around the globe. So for the Root Down & Afro Funké to come together was just outrageous! I enjoyed the music so much, I didn't get to shoot as much as I wanted to, but I did manage to take a few shots...







*Photography by Ervin Arana (2010)

I Need A Dollar

Aloe Blacc's new single, also happens to be the theme song for HBO's new show "How To Make It In America." Check out Aloe perform the track live at The Do Over (Winter Music Conference 2010) with Jeremy Sole.


*Taken from http://www.giantstep.net

Soul Sessions

My first time spinning at Soul Sessions. Friday April 9th, you don't want to miss this night, I have the honor of opening up for what is sure to be a BANGIN' Percussion/DJ performance by Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill & DJ Rhettmatic of the Beat Junkies. On top of that, the Soul Sessions Crew will be holding it down as usual! All happening at the Grand Star in downtown LA; 943 N Broadway; 21+ $5 before 10:30pm $10 after. For more info; http://soulsessionslive.com

*Download Bobo Meets Rhettmatic Mixtape; http://bobomeetsrhettmatic.com/

Frosty Freeze (R.I.P.)

On April 3rd 2008, we lost a true legend and pioneer of Hip Hop culture. Wayne "Frosty Freeze" Frost, member of the Rock Steady Crew was known for his inventive acrobatics and comedic style. His character inspired so many bboys & bgirls. It is without question, the dance world would not be where it is today without Frosty Freeze and his contributions!

Peep; Frosty Freeze Tribute arranged by Popmaster Fabel. You can also see Frosty in some of Hip Hop's classic's documentaries/flims; Flashdance, Wild Style, Style Wars & The Freshest Kids!

*Rock Steady Crew performance at The Common Ground; photographed by Martha Cooper (1981)


My first love, my introduction to Hip Hop was through bboy culture. I started breakin' in 1993, paid a lot of dues and eventually I was recruited into the Rock Steady Crew. Frosty Freeze was there the day I got down and he welcomed me with open arms. He made me feel like I was part of the family and he reinforced that feeling when I ran into him again in San Jose about a year later. Frosty never forgot a face and always treated you like a real person. For that I will never forget him!

*Photographed at Easy Rock's house with Frosty Freeze & Ice Man the day I got down with Rock Steady (2002)

Afro Funké & Root Down; Sound Up

The Root Down returns for one more night! We're teaming up with Afro Funké, so you know it's going to be twice as nice! Afrobeat, Brazilian, Dub, Reggae, Cumbia, Samba Disco, Batucada, Afro-Latin House, Indian Beats, Makossa & Other Deep-Rooted Funk Music from around the world!

Going down this Thursday Night, April 1st at Zanzibar; 1301 5th Street (at Arizona Ave) in Santa Monica 90401. $7 cover before 11pm if you mention Root Down, $10 after. For more info; http://www.afrofunke.com/