CUFFIN’ ALL THANGS R&B PARTY, established in 2015, is a no frills R&B party that plays R&B Music from all eras. You’ll hear anthems, album cuts, remixes, slow jams, and of course sing-alongs all night. Their goal is to make you DANCE! They’ll provide the tunes and you’ll provide the BODY ROLLS and FINGER GUNS! And Always remember to COME CUFFED OR LEAVE CUFFED.

With chapters in cities across the country, Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B Party isn’t just an event. It’s a movement, a community, and a home for DJs who believe in the power of R&B to bring people together. 

We caught up with Cuffin’ founder Roland (aka “CUFFIN ALL THANGS R&B PARTY GANG LEADER”) and the DJs who are gonna hold it down at MINTED SF — Druskee, Boogie Brown, Rieta, and The Modes — to hear what Cuffin’ means to them and what makes the Bay Area chapter special.

ABOUT CUFFIN’ ALL THANGS R&B PARTY

What’s the origin story of your crew? How did you come together? Who were the founding members? What inspired your name?

ROLAND: Long story short (The Cliffnotes Version): I’ve been throwing parties/events in San Francisco since 2007 because parties were recession-proof. The recession hit, I got laid off, and needed another source of income because unemployment wasn’t enough. So I started to throw parties with one of my closest friends DJ Boogie Brown. We went by GETLIVESF.

In 2013 I ended up moving to Seattle to take a break from the nightlife scene because nightlife takes a toll on your body and mind, and I also needed to grow up. So I moved to Seattle. In 2015 I had the “itch” to throw parties again but this time I wanted to do an event that wasn’t TURN UP CENTRAL. I already had the idea of throwing an R&B party back in 2010 but it never happened.

I started to reach out to folks I knew in the nightlife scene in Seattle and pitched the idea of an R&B party. I got rejected by everyone except the homie, Dj Phosho. He saw my vision. So in March of 2015 Cuffin’ Seattle was established. I wanted to expand the party especially in the Bay since I’m from SF. It was only right to get Cuffin’ SF going so Boogie Brown, Jon Reyes, and AMP started the San Francisco chapter. Jon, being from Sacramento, started the Sacramento chapter along with Druskee and Hellasooh.

At one point, Cuffin’ was in Montreal, Toronto, Long Beach, LA, Brooklyn, New York, Las Vegas (still there as a Sunday brunch), Honolulu, and Oakland. Currently Cuffin’ is in Denver, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and Seattle. Every City has a point person and that point person puts together a team. 

I also wanted to start a network for all the DJs who are involved with Cuffin’ so if they were in one of the Cuffin’ Cities when a Cuffin’ party was happening they would have a place to play. I wanted to make sure that WE ALL ATE. 

To be honest, I don’t have a cool reason for why I chose CUFFIN’ as the name of the party. It’s short for “Cuffing Season” and Cuffing Season just sounds wack to me. But our slogan is COME CUFFED OR LEAVE CUFFED and CUFFIN’ SEASON IS EVERY SEASON.

How would you describe the Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B Community? What vibes can people expect coming to one of your parties?

ROLAND: The Northern California Chapter of Cuffin’ we go by ASSHOLES THAT LOVE R&B. It’s an inside joke, but at the same time it’s the truth! LOL! The Cuffin’ Community is just folks that love R&B music. Since we’re not just in San Francisco/Bay Area, every Cuffin’ Party is different. It’s hard to explain, you just gotta attend one. Or pull up to the MINTED SF event on July 25 and check out the team!

How has the Bay Area shaped your identity as a crew?

ROLAND: In the Bay Area, parties come and go, especially R&B parties. The scene changes all the time especially after the drastic change due to the pandemic. But we hope to stick to the script and keep this love for R&B music going. 

Cuffin’ is currently the longest running R&B party in the Bay Area.  I think Cuffin’ SF will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary next year and I know Sacramento isn’t the Bay Area, but they’ll be celebrating their 10 year next year too.

Boogie Brown

Druskee

ABOUT THE CUFFIN’ DJS

Who or what influences your sets the most? Genres, eras, mentors, movements — what shapes your sound?

BOOGIE BROWN: Typically, the crowd influences my music selections and performance in real-time. I try to dial in, read the room, and gauge the energy of the crowd to see what they’re feeling, adapting to the mood. The goal is to forge a connection, earn trust, and lead the audience on musical journey.

My sound and musical foundation is grounded in hip-hop: a genre itself forged from the richness of funk, soul, R&B, disco, and reggae. I look to legendary DJs like Shortkut, Jazzy Jeff, and Franzen, who exemplify the craft of reading the crowd, possessing a deep knowledge of music spanning countless genres, and displaying a high level of technical skill. My upbringing in the golden era of hip-hop has heavily shaped my views and sound, but I constantly strive to broaden my musical horizons by exploring current artists and evolving trends.

DRUSKEE: The crowd. At the end of the day, we’re in the service industry, our job is to take care of the dance floor. While I always bring my own identity as a DJ, the energy of the guests shapes the direction of every set.

My peers in the Northern California DJ scene have played a huge role in my growth. I started during the early 2010s “SoundCloud era” and was supported by members of the Hella Good Company collective, especially DJs like Jon Reyes and Soosh!

Genres: R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap, House, Dance, and Disco. Anything rooted in rhythm and movement. If it makes people dance, it’s in the rotation.

RIETA: A lot of factors play into how I approach a set — the event, the venue, and my time slot all shape the vibe I want to create. I also make it a point to arrive early, listen to the other DJs, and get a feel for the crowd. Once I’m on, I stay tuned into the room, reading the energy and making adjustments to keep the vibe just right.

Early on, DJ Neil Armstrong was a huge influence — I was inspired by the storytelling and seamless blends of mixtapes like Warmfuzzy and Bittersweet. Today, DJs like A‑Trak and Four Color Zack continue to shape my approach. I admire their versatility, technical precision, and ability to move between eras and styles while keeping the dance floor engaged.

ANSELMODE: My sets are all about feeling; if a track moves me and I find myself playing it on repeat, it’s something I’ll most likely play out for the night. Born in the ’90s, I’ve always had a deep love for the golden era of 2000s R&B. Artists like Usher, Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo, and Alicia Keys shaped my foundation. As I got older and started attending music festivals and concerts, my sound naturally evolved. Artists like SZA, Anderson .Paak, The Internet, and Kaytranada opened me up to a wider range of sounds that are smooth, soulful, and groove-heavy. That blend of classic and current influences is what drives the energy in my sets today.

HIDEEMODE: I’m definitely a product of my environment. Growing up in the late 90s/early 2000s and in the Bay Area, you can imagine the amount of influence came out of this era. I remember tuning into CMC and TRL to see what new music would come out. Going to the bookstore to find CDs, and listening to albums front to back. The genres that captured me were definitely rock, R&B, and hip hop which have influenced my taste today for more alternative R&B to Indie Jams.

Rieta

The Modes

How do you stay connected to your community outside of the booth? Where and when can we catch you outside of MINTED SF?

BOOGIE BROWN: Beyond the DJ booth, I try to be an accessible resource through sharing, offering help, and being available to collaborate with fellow DJs, artists, and organizers. I feel that building genuine connections and contributing to the different communities in a way that goes beyond the music itself helps to nurture growth, and positive change within our interconnected scenes.

You can regularly catch me at numerous clubs and bars throughout the Bay Area, including a monthly residency every second Saturday at Hello Stranger in Oakland. Beyond the nightclubs, content is available online on Instagram @djboogiebrown; on YouTube under the handle @djboogiebrownsf, or edits on Bandcamp.

In addition to DJing, a book that chronicles the history of the Bay Area hip-hop nightlife and DJ scene, using party flyers as a key historical source, is currently being written and scheduled to be released in 2026.

DRUSKEE: By showing up. I make it a point to attend and support other creatives’ events and projects. I also take on gigs that align with community-based efforts or that uplift groups and movements.

You can find me at Cuffin’ SF at Pop’s Bar. You can also catch me playing various House, Disco, and R&B parties throughout Sacramento (Flamingo House and Pocha House) and San Francisco (The Midway, Public Works, and Great Northern).

Follow @druskee_ on Instagram!

RIETA: I make it a point to stay active in the scene — attending events, supporting other DJs, and keeping a strong network within the community. It’s about showing up, sharing ideas, and always being open to new connections and collaborations.

I DJ at various places around the Bay Area. Monthly, you can find me at Five Points in San Jose every first Saturday for RIETA & Friends, and every second Saturday for Cuffin’ San Jose. You can also tune into my monthly online radio show, Nu Wave Radio.

Follow @thisisrieta on Instagram!

ANSELMODE: Back during the pandemic, I connected with a large community of DJs and music lovers through Twitch livestreams. That platform opened up a lot of doors, and through the friendships we built there, we were able to start a Cuffin chapter in San Jose.

Outside of DJing, we stay tapped in by linking up for different things, whether it’s supporting another homie’s event, going to see an artist we like when they’re in town, or just grabbing food and catching up. We also stay connected on a daily basis through our group chats, where we share music, ideas, and life updates.

Follow @anselmode on Instagram!

HIDEEMODE: Through keeping in touch via social media, group chats and supporting each others endeavors even if it’s outside of the booth. I also have a passion for giving back, so through my day job, I also lead a few volunteer events throughout the year to give back the greater community as well. 

Follow @hideemode on Instagram!

To stay in the loop with all crews, follow @cuffinallthangsrnbparty on Instagram!

RSVP for your free tickets to see CUFFIN’ ALL THANGS R&B PARTY at MINTED SF on Friday, July 25, 2025!