@KenshoKuma & #Orukusake are #2ndFloorSamurais

2nd Floor Samurais are the latest phenomenon to hit the SF Bay Area Underground Hip Hop scene and comprises of veteran MC’s Orukusaki and Kensho Kuma. Both MC’s are seasoned homegrown independent Hip Hop artists whose roots can be traced back to the late nineties, with respective projects, international tours, and a strong local presence.

The Origin

2FS was officially formed when the highly decorated battle champion Orukusaki joined forces with the bilingual rhyme ninja Kensho Kuma in 2013. The title “2nd Floor Samurais” accurately captures their dedication to ancient warrior discipline which they apply to Hip Hop, their mentalities, and lifestyles. It also describes the MC’s constant practice and desire to ascend above the societal norm in respects to various life issues, ranging from relationships, human growth, and the derogatory implications of mass media. The view this elevated state of mind is what the two consider the “2nd Floor.” The still untitled debut group album has been in the works for roughly two years; the vast majority of the production has been handled by Decap who is credited with working with the likes of Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg, and Masta Ace, and Sota Furugen, who is the “go-to-man” in Japanese Hip Hop, and has been credited with producing for Ayumi Hamasaki, who is considered the Mariah Carey of Asia. The debut solo project is due early/ mid 2016.

Local Presence

The members of 2FS remain very active in the Bay Area Hip Hop community. The two serve as board members for the NGO Hip Hop for Change, a group dedicated to fighting social injustice and racism through grassroots activism, educational outreach, and Hip Hop showcases. Furthermore, they are the directors of the popular Return of the Cypher event, a weekly open-mic freestyle jam session accompanied by a house band and veteran DJ Kevvy Kev. ROTC has developed into a reliable platform, where up and coming artists can showcase their talent to a crowd of 200+ on a weekly basis, and 2FS acts as the primary curators for featured acts, charity events, branding, and special parties.

The Future

2nd Floor Samurais represent the purest breed of MC’s raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by the people for the people; although both rappers are respectively known through their shows and involvements, it is the upcoming group project which will establish them as a permanent fixture in Hip Hop.