Jase “Monk” Earl is a Santa Cruz–based DJ, curator, cultural producer, educator, and writer whose understanding of community is rooted in Hip Hop culture and shaped by his upbringing in the immigrant-rich neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. As the founder of Afroscope Promotions and founder, curator, and resident DJ of Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz, he creates public spaces where African and diasporic music become catalysts for connection, cultural exchange, and collective celebration.

With an artistic practice rooted in his childhood, Earl’s work spans live performance, community arts programming, youth education, and international cultural exchange. He has taught DJ workshops in Accra, Ghana through the Universal Family Network, produced large-scale cultural events throughout Santa Cruz County, and continues to mentor emerging artists by creating opportunities for collaboration and public performance.

Earl holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Whether performing as DJ Monk Earl or creating original work under the name Juba Zaki, he approaches DJing as a live compositional practice rooted in cultural stewardship, improvisation, and the belief that music can transform public space into a place of belonging.

DJ Mai Girl plays festivals, clubs, shows, and private events all over the West Coast and beyond.  Her unique blend of genres and hand-picked selections– whether it be hip hop, soul, house, jazzy vibes, old school jams, Afro, Caribbean or Latin rhythms– keep people moving all night. She consistently plays one Stevie or Prince song every set to remind herself of why she started DJing in the first place.