Smino performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on April 30, 2025. Aaron Lee/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Smino fans were ready for the St. Louis rapper’s Kountry Kousins tour stop at the Warfield on Wednesday. The 33-year-old born Christopher Smith, Jr. offered up a night of groovy jams. Dressed in all…

J.I.D performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Jan. 29, 2023. Gavin Legaspi/STAFF. OAKLAND — It was nothing but “luv” for the Bay from Atlanta rapper J.I.D and St. Louis’ Smino at their co-headlining Luv Is 4Ever North American Tour stop at the Fox Theater on Sunday. The Zoink…

Erykah Badu performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on June 10, 2022. Matt Pang/STAFF. BERKELEY — At the eighth show of her “Live from the Badubotron” tour at the Greek on Friday, neo-soul diva Erykah Badu explored her discography, bringing a new twist to well known-favorites. The imaginative “Badubotron”…

It’s been some time since we last saw Isaiah Rashad; since his critically acclaimed 2016 album, The Sun’s Tirade. The Top Dawg affiliate has been vocal about his struggles with mental health in his art and in interviews, expressing how it has at times derailed his focus. But the wait is…

Beyond winning Chance the Rapper the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, Coloring Book also distinguished him as a unique force in Chicago hip-hop. The career-defining release’s gospel overtones, pop hooks and diverse flow saw Chancelor Jonathan Bennett come into his own as a suave, God-fearing punchline purveyor. He…