Lately, when one encounters the term “manifest,” two notions come to mind.
Either the woo-woo pseudoscientific “Law of Attraction” or the odious 19th-century doctrine that the United States had the right to expand and colonize the North American continent.
Then there is Decolonized Mindz Entertainment’s play on the term—“Manifest Your Destiny,” which upends facile definitions as it manifests its ongoing North Bay hip-hop showcase in local venues. The next iteration will be at Petaluma’s Big Easy, Friday night.
The brainchild of local hip-hop artist Damion Square, the promoter partnered with the area’s resident impresario, Josh Windmiller, to create the showcase, which delivers a diverse array of artists, each with a unique take on the genre.
Says Square, “The distinguishing factor about these particular acts is that they are the cremé de la cremé of hip-hop acts in the North Bay.” He adds, “Every single one of the artists has shown an extreme amount of dedication and devotion to their craft, and the elevation of hip-hop in general. These artists are breaking the mold, with an eclectic array of hip-hop artists, as opposed to the conventional ‘male dominated’ lineup of most hip-hop showcases.”
The bottom line, adds Windmiller, is creating a community and introducing more people to performers who are “advancing homegrown hip-hop in the North Bay.”
Among the line-up for the Big Easy showcase are Simoné Mosely, D.square, KingLung and Eki’Shola. Also performing is Tru Lyric, an artist born and raised in Santa Rosa, who attended the high school formerly known as Analy.
“I want to bring something new and fresh to the genre of hip-hop,” says Tru Lyric, who is frank about using his talent for penning lyrics as a means of managing his depression and anxiety. Part of his project is using his musicianship to help others facing the same challenges. His most recent release, a digitally launched EP entitled Black Kids Like Emo, dropped in June 2021.
The critically-lauded Eki’Shola, who local audiences will recognize from such accolades as being featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, on KQED, and as Best of the Bay 2020 Editors’ Pick, also shares the bill this Friday. KingLung, who appeared in last week’s showcase at Horse and Plow Winery in Sebastopol, returns for this week’s showcase. “I’d say my music is leaning towards revolutionary, and would be a mix between hip-hop, R&B, soul and conscious rap,” says KingLung. “I consider myself a MC, and a poetic lyricist, more than just a rapper.”
Says Windmiller, “Damion and I booked five incredible acts that represent an expansive approach to hip-hop and soul.”
He adds, “The variation over the course of the evening will really be exciting, featuring everything from lone MCs to electronic jazz, R’n’B and a live band.”
‘Manifest Your Destiny’ begins at 7:30pm, Friday, Sept. 9 at The Big Easy, 128 American Alley, Petaluma. Tickets are $10 (sliding scale option available).
