Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

San Diego Finally Plugged In?

Hip-hop groups have a different dynamic than rock bands. Despite the individual boasting and bragging, hip-hoppers tend to mesh their contributions more seamlessly than rock players, whose goal is usually to stand out and "solo." Edgar Alminar walks both lines, playing keyboards and percussion for rockers Irradio and also DJing as DJ GarGar for the Kneehighs, along with three MCs: Talls, DaDa, and Dalton. "Playing with Irradio packs its own kind of energy," he says, "but the Kneehighs definitely has its own unique energy and stage presence that can't really be described. You really have to see a live show to get the full experience. The music is energetic, feel-good hip-hop that'll get your grandma out of her seat."

Alminar/GarGar thinks San Diego is finally plugged into the contemporary hip-hop scene, citing successful events like Tha Liks at 'Canes, DJ Quik at 4th & B, and especially the Up in Smoke Tour at Coors Amphitheatre. "Up in Smoke was hit after hit after hit by all the artists I grew up with. Packed amphitheatre, crazy energy -- it was good to see many big-name artists sharing the stage."

Along with the increase of open-mike nights with hip-hop and spoken-word performers, it would seem the city that rapper Kev-4Play once called a "rich bitch, paint-the-ghetto-psychedelic kind of town" is finally more gabba than Abba. If you don't know what that means, you may not be the Kneehighs' target crowd.

DESERT ISLAND DVDS?

DJ GarGar:

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. "Everything about this movie is captivating: music, visuals, sound, acting."

2. The Cosby Show, Season One. "I've seen every episode hundreds of times, and I still haven't gotten sick of them."

3. Martin Lawrence: You So Crazy. "One of the best stand-up comedies ever made. I still laugh till I'm crying and my stomach hurts."

4. Memento. "This movie was put together beautifully. I love how you end up with the same problem the main character has."

5. Dancer in the Dark. "One of the most intense movies I've ever seen. I still cringe and yell at the TV when I watch this movie."

Sponsored
Sponsored

Dalton:

1. Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security. "This DVD always makes me bust a gut."

2. Anchorman.

3. Cast Away. "This movie would give me hope of getting off the island I was stranded on."

Talls:

1. Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

2. Jackie Brown.

3. The Goonies. "I'm stuck in the '80s and love '80s movies."

DaDa:

1. The Shawshank Redemption.

2. Dumb and Dumber. "A classic comedy."

3. Office Space. "One of the funniest movies ever."

4. Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security.

BEST RECORDS OF THE YEAR?

DJ GarGar:

1. Kanye West, Late Registration. "The production is top notch and a step in an unheard direction."

2. Common, Be. "Classic lyrics flow over classic hip-hop beats...the vibe on the record is intense."

3. Lindsey Yung, Fusion. "One of the best voices I've heard from a local artist. The music is very original and beautiful."

4. Goodbye Blue Monday, Help Is on the Way. "Great songs from a great band -- one of the better acts from San Diego."

5. My American Heart, The Meaning in Makeup. "Solid music light years ahead of their ages; awesome arrangements. I hope my kids write music this tight."

50 CENT OR JA RULE?

DJ GarGar: "50 Cent."

Dalton: "50 Cent."

Talls: "Neither."

DaDa: "50 Cent."

WHAT DOES THE LOCAL HIP-HOP SCENE NEED MOST?

Dalton: "More exposure on the radio."

Talls: "The fun aspect of old-skool hip-hop."

BRADY BUNCH OR PARTRIDGE FAMILY?

(All): "Brady Bunch."

WORST LOCAL GIG?

DJ GarGar: "We played 5ifth Qtr in downtown, and some guy claiming to be a famous rapper's cousin came onstage and insisted on freestyling in the middle of our set. He basically killed the vibe for the rest of the night, and he wasn't even good."

DaDa: "It was my first time onstage at the Roseary Room, and I kept spilling beer everywhere. Onstage, and on myself."

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

At Comedor Nishi a world of cuisines meet for brunch

A Mexican eatery with Japanese and French influences
Next Article

Operatic Gender Wars

Are there any operas with all-female choruses?

Hip-hop groups have a different dynamic than rock bands. Despite the individual boasting and bragging, hip-hoppers tend to mesh their contributions more seamlessly than rock players, whose goal is usually to stand out and "solo." Edgar Alminar walks both lines, playing keyboards and percussion for rockers Irradio and also DJing as DJ GarGar for the Kneehighs, along with three MCs: Talls, DaDa, and Dalton. "Playing with Irradio packs its own kind of energy," he says, "but the Kneehighs definitely has its own unique energy and stage presence that can't really be described. You really have to see a live show to get the full experience. The music is energetic, feel-good hip-hop that'll get your grandma out of her seat."

Alminar/GarGar thinks San Diego is finally plugged into the contemporary hip-hop scene, citing successful events like Tha Liks at 'Canes, DJ Quik at 4th & B, and especially the Up in Smoke Tour at Coors Amphitheatre. "Up in Smoke was hit after hit after hit by all the artists I grew up with. Packed amphitheatre, crazy energy -- it was good to see many big-name artists sharing the stage."

Along with the increase of open-mike nights with hip-hop and spoken-word performers, it would seem the city that rapper Kev-4Play once called a "rich bitch, paint-the-ghetto-psychedelic kind of town" is finally more gabba than Abba. If you don't know what that means, you may not be the Kneehighs' target crowd.

DESERT ISLAND DVDS?

DJ GarGar:

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. "Everything about this movie is captivating: music, visuals, sound, acting."

2. The Cosby Show, Season One. "I've seen every episode hundreds of times, and I still haven't gotten sick of them."

3. Martin Lawrence: You So Crazy. "One of the best stand-up comedies ever made. I still laugh till I'm crying and my stomach hurts."

4. Memento. "This movie was put together beautifully. I love how you end up with the same problem the main character has."

5. Dancer in the Dark. "One of the most intense movies I've ever seen. I still cringe and yell at the TV when I watch this movie."

Sponsored
Sponsored

Dalton:

1. Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security. "This DVD always makes me bust a gut."

2. Anchorman.

3. Cast Away. "This movie would give me hope of getting off the island I was stranded on."

Talls:

1. Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

2. Jackie Brown.

3. The Goonies. "I'm stuck in the '80s and love '80s movies."

DaDa:

1. The Shawshank Redemption.

2. Dumb and Dumber. "A classic comedy."

3. Office Space. "One of the funniest movies ever."

4. Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security.

BEST RECORDS OF THE YEAR?

DJ GarGar:

1. Kanye West, Late Registration. "The production is top notch and a step in an unheard direction."

2. Common, Be. "Classic lyrics flow over classic hip-hop beats...the vibe on the record is intense."

3. Lindsey Yung, Fusion. "One of the best voices I've heard from a local artist. The music is very original and beautiful."

4. Goodbye Blue Monday, Help Is on the Way. "Great songs from a great band -- one of the better acts from San Diego."

5. My American Heart, The Meaning in Makeup. "Solid music light years ahead of their ages; awesome arrangements. I hope my kids write music this tight."

50 CENT OR JA RULE?

DJ GarGar: "50 Cent."

Dalton: "50 Cent."

Talls: "Neither."

DaDa: "50 Cent."

WHAT DOES THE LOCAL HIP-HOP SCENE NEED MOST?

Dalton: "More exposure on the radio."

Talls: "The fun aspect of old-skool hip-hop."

BRADY BUNCH OR PARTRIDGE FAMILY?

(All): "Brady Bunch."

WORST LOCAL GIG?

DJ GarGar: "We played 5ifth Qtr in downtown, and some guy claiming to be a famous rapper's cousin came onstage and insisted on freestyling in the middle of our set. He basically killed the vibe for the rest of the night, and he wasn't even good."

DaDa: "It was my first time onstage at the Roseary Room, and I kept spilling beer everywhere. Onstage, and on myself."

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Victorian Christmas Tours, Jingle Bell Cruises

Events December 22-December 25, 2024
Next Article

Too $hort & DJ Symphony, Peppermint Beach Club, Holidays at the Zoo

Events December 19-December 21, 2024
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader