Anthony Mendes, or “Mendes” to friends and colleagues, collaborates with local minority-owned businesses in Oak Park to cultivate indie art, poetry and hip-hop showcases. 

Front & Center is Mendes’ latest project with hip-hop acts local to Sacramento, which include headlining act Nate Curry. CapRadio's Victor Martinez spoke with Mendes about the event, which takes place Friday at 6 p.m.

Interview Highlights

Victor: So if this is my first front & center showcase, what can I expect?

Mendes: Mainly just our culture, whether it be hip-hop, R&B, artwork, or dancing. Almost every show I try to do, I try to curate to a different sense of style of what we're doing because hip-hop has many different styles, whether it be the classic old school backpack rap, whether it be a new style today, or whether it be something a little more conscious. If you're trying to get yourself into the scene of local hip-hop and you haven't found that way to get into it, this show is definitely your way to get into local hip-hop. 

Tell me more about the lineup and your headliner, Nate Curry.

Man, if you guys haven't heard Nate Curry, that's just something that speaks for itself. His music is some of the most creative styles, especially coming out of Sacramento, like it's something really proud to have, to finally being able to get him down for a little bit because he's been really, really busy this year. I believe he just released “Bare With Me.” That's a style that I feel like is really going to cultivate the show right now. 

EGDABEAST is going to be on there, and he's someone that if you're a real classic hip-hop Rakim-style fan, you guys are going to love him.

You have Yumz Awkword hosting. Are we going to hear any of his new music?

Absolutely! I have him, I believe have him doing at least one or two songs on there just for folks. You know, if you guys haven't got that Yumz feels yet he has a really inviting, intoxicating personality. That's why he is a perfect host. But also his new EP that just was just released is absolutely amazing.

EGDABEAST and Yumz Awkword.Gabe the Fourth

What do you want guests to take away from the show?

Sacramento has a sound. Sacramento has a voice that you don't have to just go to other places to listen to, you know, dope music you got. Personally, I understand the East Coast has amazing, you know, hip-hop Bay Area has amazing hip-hop. Southern, you know, artists have amazing hip hip-hop, but we have amazing hip-hop right here in Sacramento. And if anything, just listen to someone new. 

Front & Center

Date and Time: Friday, August 19, 6-10 p.m.
Location: Slim and Husky's, 3413 Broadway, Sacramento