URBAN VIEW

Eye On Modesto Hip Hop Culture

“ Modesto Rapper or Ruler From Deep Beneath The Surface? ”

When I opened up my instagram the other day I was overjoyed to find a new project from one of my favorite local rap gawds, but is he just a local rapper ( Insert thinking emoji )? I caught up with NIKFUQ and got introduced to a whole new world.......... AGARTHA.

JZ: Agartha, WOW, great album, but what is Agartha?

By Joseph “PSUNO” Zimmerer

12. Take a tour of the tree varieties in Graceada Park

13. Ride bikes or scooters (non-motorized) on the Virginia Corridor or the Mensinger Trail along Dry Creek

14. Check out the alpine rock walls in Ripon

15. Take a ride to Knights Ferry and walk on the covered bridge

16. Pick a family-friendly project at Love Modesto on April 29.

17. Order a Root Beer and Coney Dog at A & W on Friday night with Elvis (summer)

18. Enjoy Earth Day at Graceada Park on April 22

19. Visit the McHenry Museum

20. Walk the Modesto Historic Cruise Route tour.

21. Enjoy fresh local offerings at the Modesto Farmer’s Market

22. Take some chalk over to your neighborhood park/playground and beautify the sidewalks

23. Start planting a kids garden with their favorite things to eat (now is the time to start planting!)

24. Make a picnic and enjoy at a park or even your own front yard

25. Follow drum Love on social media for opportunities to participate in drum circles and learn music and rhythmgreat for all ages!

N: Thank you fam. Agartha is a city to a civilization with an advanced consciousness and technology located at the center of the Earth. Essentially, it’s “underground” which is how I prefer my music. I thought it would be the perfect metaphor for my latest album.

JZ: It listens like a documentary. What were some inspirations for the project?

N: There’s a documentary I found online with a plethora of info on Agartha. I pulled a lot of ideas and even samples from there for the album. Also, at a thrift store I found an 80’s book called Create Your Own Adventure about the Agartha, I think is what sparked the whole idea for me.

JZ: You have some local rap vets on this project, but also some other emcees, and a couple heavy productions from Sadhugold, PA Dre, and Conductor Williams. How did these team ups come about?

N: Well, for sure I had to get the boys on there - local legendary spitters who happen to be the homies. I reached out to a few like minded out of towners too. For the production, I wanted to hand pick the beats so I reached out to some of the absolute best in the underground right now.

JZ: I see the project on streaming sites. Is this project going to be released on some sort of hard copy product?

N: Yes. I will have CD’s in a few days.

JZ: For those that don’t already know, where can we find you and the latest album?

N: It’s streaming on most platforms. I have my own bandcamp page. My awesomely animated music video is on YouTube.

By Eric Benson

Okay, folks, spring has sprung, and I got my vegetables in and planted. I have Arugula popping up on my lawn. I hope you all are doing well and returning to our venues in the downtown area, would love to see you at the Blue Monday Party.

Blue Monday continues to be twice a month, the second and fourth Mondays, and hope to do more soon. The House Band features: John Burt on sax, John Adey and Conrad Johnson on bass, Dave Hawkes and Cortez Flores on the drums and Eric Benson on keyboards, and Natalia Alexandra, vocalist, with special guests at each event. The jam is open, so come down!

On March 6th, the band will be hosting some come-down! We appreciate Chris Murphy and Gary Nelson, who helps sponsor Blue Monday. Café Urbano has a full bar and food in a friendly club environment from 7 to 10 PM. Urbano also has DJ dancing Tuesday through Sunday, featuring Latin-based music. The Creole Jazz Kings continue to play Café Urbano and will be back this month, so swing by!

A noteworthy new venue in Merced is

Vinhos Wine and Tapas bar; food, a great and expansive wine list with live music on the weekends. The music is Jazz, Blues, and popular music in an intimate environment. There are some great shows at Gallo Center, but also check these other great venues out of town: Yoshi’s Oakland’s best jazz shows, Khumbwa Music Center Santa Cruz and Piedmont Piano company, the Back Door, and the Sound Room located in Oakland. Please continue coming out, folks; we can’t do it without you!