To christen their new space, known as BAMBU Pharm, they held a series of activations, including their inaugural BAMBU Sessions event.
The first jam session’s participants included Teao Sense, jo love/speak cruz, Nikila Badua aka “MamaWisdom1,” Gina Madrid, Sami See, Gema Cantu, Persia Blackwell, Seiji Oda, Aya Eid, Santos S.O.U.L., Marcos Odara, poko d., and JT Teodoro.
Recalling the night with its live percussion, multiple string instruments and jazzy saxophone, San Jose’s veteran lyricist MC Persia says the vibe was so good, she was compelled to spit a few bars.
A rapper since her early teenage years, MC Persia began to experience “brain fog” in her late 30s, causing her to work more behind the scenes. Audiopharmacy’s events have aided her ambition to continue performing.
“For the past decade, every time I’ve stepped back on a stage it’s been because of Audiopharmacy,” she tells me. “What they are building isn’t just an event. It’s medicine. Every time I stand in it, I’m reminded why I started in the first place.”
That medicine extends beyond the music. “We’re generally raising funds for all the different things that we do,” says Sense, adding that the group regularly hosts workshops, ranging from Qigong to boxing.
This weekend, the group will raise funds for their friend, a Bay Area-based percussionist from Brazil named Leandro “Leo” Oliveira.