Since the early 1970’s the origins of Hip-Hop have elevated from the barrios of the South Bronx to Madison Avenue and all over the world. The mystique of the music and culture has been that you can make and create art with the ingenuity of a pin and pad of paper. Emcees would become wordsmiths and create a rhyming experience that would eventually take ordinary people off the streets of a place of gangs, drugs, and violence. A unique street artistry would take hold in a form of dance, art, clothing, and day-to-day life that would evolve into modern day Hip-Hip. Pioneers of the music like The Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, Fab Five Freddy, and the Rock Steady Crew took their voices and art and generated what would turn out to become a ten billion dollar a year industry. The music then and today still reflects all the issues that continue to plague the black and Latino communities but it also still represents fun and unorthodox means of creating music. From the early block parties where the emcees would verbally battle other emcees from all the five boroughs in New York City, to the DJ’s recking havoc over break beats so emcees could master what would become rap, to the dancing and free spirit of Hip-Hop, the music gave and still gives many disenfranchised youth a channel to become creative. One of few Hip-Hop festivals that takes place here in the states is the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Family Day presented by Brooklyn Bodega. Founded by Wes Jackson in 2006, he and his diverse staff have been on the front lines producing and keeping the legacy of Hip-Hop to fans all over the world via their website www.brooklynbodega.com. What I’ve really enjoyed about Brooklyn Bodga’s scope on the music is that they bring a more intellectual and historical view to the music unlike the negative images that continue to perpetuate the music. BB’s events during the entire year bring out all the true Hip-Hop heads that have been molded, shaped, and influenced by the music. This year’s 7th Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival featured the legendary Q-Tip of rap group A Tribe Called Quest. Other acts included: Random Axe(Sean Price, Black Milk, and Guilty Simpson), Shad, Homeboy Sandman, M.O.P, Diamond District, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Lords of the Underground, Torae, Uncle Ralph McDaniels, and Kendrick Lemar. Brooklyn Bodega also produced events during the week like the Show and Prove Bowl with Hip-Hop legends Camp Lo, The Artifacts, and J-Live. Another major highlight of the festival’s events was the Salute the DJ honoring the Marley Marl who produced legendary records for L.L. Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Lords of the Underground, Biz Markie, and Kool G. Rap. Emcee Q-Tip took to the stage and brought out many of his best friends whom he’s collaborated throughout his 20 years in Hip-Hip. He performed many of his classic hits as part of his days in A Tribe Called Quest. But he paid tribute to the music by bringing out female Emcee Monie Love of the original Native Tongs Crew. Monie performed her hit “Monie in the Middle” along with her solo of the classic “Buddy.” Tip later let Emcees Black Thought of The Roots, Lil Shawn, and Busta Rhymes bless the mic. But the surprise of the night was when multi-platinum and Grammy-Award Winning Kayne West took to the stage to guest perform with the legendary Emcee. The crowd lost it and was in awe as Kayne leaped off the stage and hit the crowd of his many Hip-Hop fans. The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is something that’s a gem in the Hip-Hop Community and in the states. Jazz, country, soul, the blues, and Hip-Hop are the only original art forms that was created in this country. There are several festivals that cater and represent these art forms but BHH is the only one that takes place were the music was originated, New York City. Brooklyn Bodgea took a risk to form programming like the festival and other events throughout the year to keep real Hip-Hop visible and tangible at a time when the music has become real commercial. Again, this is the only festival where you can spend $15 a ticket and being your family and have a nice and relaxed time, while not hitting your wallet. The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival includes two stages were music fans can watch and interact with the up-and-coming and iconic Hip-Hop emcees past and present. Also, there’s a section for kids between the ages of 3 and 10 years old that includes many play stations including a jumping trampoline and other kiddie rides thats part of the admission price. At a time when the media and record industry has tainted Hip-Hop, Brooklyn Bodega has been on the front lines keeping the legacy of the music and culture out there. Please continue to support Brooklyn Bodega and their many events. For more information or to volunteer your time and efforts please visit them on line at www.brooklynbodgea.com.

• published: 24 Jul 2011
• views: 858