Kanye rhymes from the crowd

When New York rhymer Q-Tip and his A Tribe Called Quest dropped their classic hip-hop set Midnight Marauders in 1993, Kanye West-an avid fan of the trio-was 19.

So you can imagine the joy he felt last Saturday when his teen idol brought him, now a full-on star himself, up on stage as a surprise guest at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival to perform Marauders' standout single "Award Tour."

A Chicago native, West looked right at home on the outdoor NY stage. In his retro chic tank top and snapback cap, Kanye didn't just rock with Tip, but also hopped off the stage and into the crowd to perform the title track from his last album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. -[EW]

Continue reading "Kanye West & others played w/ Q-Tip @ Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (videos)"

DOWNLOAD: Shabazz Palaces - "An echo from the hosts that profess infinitum" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shabazz Palaces - "Swerve... The reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)" (MP3)

Black Sheep at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2010 (more by Brook Bobbins)

When we first announced Summerstage's free hip hop show lineup, tonight's (6/28) free show at Soundview Park in the Bronx was listed as Funkmaster Flex and Special Guests. The lineup has since changed and will feature performances by three old school NYC hip hop artists; the duo Black Sheep (Dres and Mista Lawnge), Peter Gunz, who most notably recorded as a duo with Lord Tariq, and frequent Big L-collaborator and Studio 54 DJ Kid Capri. Peter says Flex will also be there.

Q-Tip, who, like Black Sheep, is part of NYC hip hop collective Native Tongues, is DJing at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday (6/30). Questlove, who usually holds down the DJing at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursdays, returns on July 7.

Q-Tip also plays the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest is July, part of which is taking place at Music Hall of Williamsburg this year. The July 14th MHOW event, titled "Salute the DJ", will feature Marley Marl, Grand Wizzard Theodore, Roli Rho, Twilite Tone, and Torae. Q-Tip's headlining performance goes down on the Main Stage on Saturday, July 16th. Tickets are still on sale for that (and for the Music Hall party).

Butterfly of Digable Planets, who weren't actually part of Native Tongues but take cues from similar NYC-jazz based sources, released the debut full length Black Up for his Shabazz Palaces project today (6/28) via Sub Pop. You can still stream it at NPR. Download two tracks from the album above, and check out Shabazz Palaces tour dates (though no more in NYC at the moment) below.

Continue reading "Black Sheep playing Soundview Park, Q-Tip DJing Brooklyn Bowl, Shabazz Palaces released 'Black Up' (MP3 & dates)"

by BBG

Havoc of Mobb Deep @ the kick-off in LA (more by Graeme Flegenheimer)

In addition to initially announced Rock The Bells lineup (Nas playing Illmatic? Mobb Deep on The Infamous detail? wow), the festival has made some interesting additions like Erykah Badu performing all of Baduism (on select dates), Common performing all of Be (on select dates), Killah Priest performing all of Heavy Mental, Slaughterhouse, and DOOM. More lineup details are below.

The NYC show on 9/3 at Governor's Island gets the Erykah Badu appearance, and tickets are on presale, password is "ILLMATIC". General sale begins Saturday, 6/11, at 10:00 AM.

LA and San Francisco are on sale now, and the only other date, Boston, still doesn't even have a venue announced yet.

DOOM of course is not to be confused with the crust band who just played MDF and Chaos in Tejas.

In other Hip Hop festival news, Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest's lineup has expanded too adding MOP (!), Torae, Random Axe (Sean Price + Black Milk + Guilty Simpson), eLZhi, Marley Marl, Roli Rho (5th Platoon), Grand Wizzard Theodore and Twilite Tone. Tickets are on sale for all Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival events, including an after-party at Southpaw on July 16th which proclaims to have "special guests invited including the entire BHF '11 lineup".

Full Rock The Bells details, alongside some videos, below...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells expands lineup, NYC tix on presale now"

Q-Tip at Rock The Bells w/ A Tribe Called Quest (more by Eric Townsend)

Q-Tip will headline the 7th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival on July 18th in DUMBO, the last day of a week-long celebration of hip hop culture at various venues in Brooklyn. The daytime show (12-8PM) will undoubtedly also feature a gang of other hip hop notables, but the full lineup is still TBA. Tickets are on sale though.

Q-Tip is featured in the new documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (which recently played as part of the Tribeca Film Festival), and after previously denouncing the film, has come around:

Despite their initial concerns, it appears that A Tribe Called Quest is finally on board with Michael Rapaport's controversial documentary, 'Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest.'

Though Tribe frontman Q-Tip publicly denounced Rapaport's film, which he claimed was not a fair representation of his group, he has since turned an about-face, voicing his approval, though he was notably absent at its Sundance and Tribeca film festival screenings.

Appearing to "support and represent" at Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday (April 29), alongside Tribe rapper Phife Dawg, DJ-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad said that the group is happy with the film's final cut, despite Tip's absence.

"Just because Q-Tip is not here does not mean he's not in support of the film," Muhammad told Rolling Stone. "I'm here, and I'm representing Q-Tip. We're happy with the finished version. If none of us were fine with this, no one would be seeing the film."

Continue reading "Q-Tip headlining Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, is okay w/ A Tribe Called Quest documentary (which is out in July)"

words by BBG, photos by Brook Bobbins

"Wht a fckin day! Was a 90s hipHop reunion backstge DAMN! Nice & smooth, dela soul, group home, primo, pete rck& cl smooth, large prof, craig g" -MastaAce

"Damn Pete Rock and CL Smooth rockin under the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a beautiful thing. Straighten it out! -greenspam

"I really am sorry that you're not here with me watching De La Soul kill shit live in Brooklyn" -djreadycee

De La Soul at Brooklyn Hip hop Fest in DUMBO - July 10, 2010

Though the rain did rear it's ugly head momentarily on July 10th, the crowd was nonetheless rocked at the 2010 Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest on Saturday. It was the final day of a week-long celebration, and also the biggest event of the fest. With a lineup that consisted of greats like De La Soul, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Black Moon, Smif n Wessun, and many others, the surprise additions of Nice & Smooth, Black Sheep and Group Home gave the event an especially 90s touch. It wasn't all veterans though; relative newcomers like Curren$y, Black Milk, Diamond District, The Money Making Jam Boys, and many others brought new blood under the Brooklyn Bridge to get the block rockin'.

Tons more pics (starting with Black Milk's 3:45 set), and video are below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2010 in pics & video (De La Soul, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Black Moon, Black Milk & more) "

the Hip Hop Fest is underway (BKHipHopFest)

Opening DJ sets 12:00-1:25
1 The Crowd 1:25-1:35
2 Kalae All Day 1:40-1:50
3 Aquil 1:55-2:05
4 Those Chosen 2:10-2:20
5 Diamond District 2:25-2:40
6 Money Making Jam Boys 2:45-3:00
7 J Dilla Ensemble 3:05-3:20
8 Rakaa Iriscience/DJ Babu 3:25-3:40
9 Black Milk 3:45-400
11 Duck Down 4:05-4:35
12 Fashawn 4:40-4:55
13 Curren$y 5:00-5:20
14 Masta Ace 5:25-5:35
15 J.Period (plus special guests) 5:40-6:10
16 Pete Rock and CL Smooth 6:15-6:25
17 De La Soul 6:30-7:30
18 J Dilla Ensemble In Between Sets 1-8
19 DJ Parler In Between Sets 8-
20 Uncle Ralph McDaniels Host

The free show on Governors Island tonight is also Rain or Shine...

Today¹s concert is rain or shine. In the event of electrical storm or high winds management will work with local authorities to protect the health and safety of the artists and audience. In the event of lightning, this may include short delays of the performance.

Join us at The Beach for an awesome Rain Dance.

The 11th Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference at Central Park Summerstage is also Rain or Shine today. Lineup: Maldita Vecindad, The Pinker Tones, and Ocote Soul Sounds. Shows starts at 3pm.

Video of Jonny Corndawg (who plays Governors today) playing acoustic on a roof with Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes (who played a rain-free outdoor show in NYC on Thursday), below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest, Summerstage & Governors Island today - RAIN OR SHINE"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Black Milk - "Welcome (Gotta Go)" (Mediafire)

Black Milk at SXSW (more here)

The new LP is called Album Of The Year. That's bold talk from the great Black Milk, but if there is one man who can get that head nodding, it's him.

The Detroit MC (and recent BV show alumnus) will welcome Album of The Year on 9/14 via Fat Beats, and the LP is chock full of Detroit luminaries like Royce Da 5' 9", Danny Brown, and Elzhi of Slum Village alongside appearances from Mr. Porter, AB, Melanie Rutherford, and Monica Blaire. Dig on the lead track "Welcome (Gotta Go)" available above.

Black Milk is scheduled to perform at the Saturday (7/10) show of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest alongside a host of other great mic controllers. Admittedly, as much as I am looking forward to seeing the Detroit rhyme killer, the Duck Down crew (also BV show alumni) and a good portion of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest support (not to mention the great De La Soul), the main event for me is reunion of the great Pete Rock & CL Smooth! The show will be their first US appearance together in 10 6 years. Reminisce no more, my friends....

Tonight's (7/8) BHHF festivities feature a salute to the DJ at Music Hall of Williamsburg with appearances by DJ Spinna, Bobbito, Rhettmatic, Rob Swift, and Wajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers). Prepare thy ass to get shooken. $10 gets you in.

Dig on a bunch of hip hop videos below...

Continue reading "Hip Hop Fest continues w/ Black Milk, a PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH REUNION (and a salute to the DJ @ MHOW tonight)"

by BBG

De La Soul at Coachella (more by Rachel Carr)

Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2009 was a blast (with one notable exception) and so far 2010 is turning out to be similarly interesting with the addition of the great De La Soul to headline the shindig on July 10th alongside Buckshot, Evil Dee and Smif-N-Wessun. Tickets are on sale.

The show is part of a week long celebration:

The calendar for the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival kicks off with Show & Prove on Monday, July 5th. This Hip-Hop showcase of independent and local talent is the final event of Brooklyn Bodega's three month Show & Prove competition,
Tuesday, July 6th will feature the Bodega Education Initiative, a day of panel discussions and seminars about the legendary producer, J Dilla. Speakers include Q-Tip, Ma Dukes Yancey, DJ Spinna and more.
Wednesday, July 7th is a mini Film Festival that features a variety of Hip-Hop films and a Q&A with established and burgeoning filmmakers.
Thursday, July 8th is a night dedicated to the backbone of Hip-Hop: the DJ. It will feature performances by the best DJs, from NYC to LA.
Friday, July 9th is the kick-off party to formally welcome Festival goers, past and current artists and community leaders to the 6th Annual BHF.
Saturday, July 10th is the culmination of the 2010 Festival. De La Soul, just ahead of a new album to be released this year, will headline on the DUMBO waterfront. Earlier in the day, we set it off with Family Day - a block party for families and children that celebrates the core message of Hip-Hop - social change and individual empowerment.

YO LA TENGO have worked with a huge variety of artists from different genres over the years.... In 2010, the band presents an EP of remixes of "Here To Fall," the lead track from last year's "Popular Songs," by De La Soul, RJD2 and Pete Rock.
"Here To Fall" is the most popular track from "Popular Songs," a couple having a tense conversation about the future over the background of menacing, descending chords and distorted wa-wa guitar. Each of these legendary hip hop performers has taken the track and the story and made it their own.

Buckshot, Evil Dee, and Smif N-Wessun will be celebrating 15 years of Duck Down Records at the BHHF show, a milestone they'll also celebrate at BB King's on July 13th with the addition of Sean Price and Pharoahe Monch (who headlined the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest last year). Tickets for that NYC show are on sale.

Pharoahe Monch also plays a free show in Queensbridge Park on July 21st.

Duck Down also partied for their 15th down at SXSW, during which time Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun both made appearances at our Attitude Adjustment party at Red 7.

While we're on the subject of classic hip hop artists playing NYC, Slick Rick has scheduled a show at Knitting Factory on June 13th. Tickets are on sale.

Tons of classic video below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2010 lineup w/ De La Soul, Duck Down Records celebrates there & @ BB King's w/ Pharoahe Monch"

Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest - June 20, 2009 - 1pm (photo by Eric Sosa)

"First off - if it rains the Festival will go on. Haters Whoever is saying otherwise should be ignored.

In the event of rain the stage will move under the tent in the Tobacco Warehouse. Vendors will move to the triangle and we will rock until the sun goes down."

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is happening today (in a tent) "

by Black Bubblegum

Pharaohe Monch sez GTFU!

Its that time of year again... when NYC flexes its considerable Hip Hop muscle with a summer of killer hip hop shows. One of the most high profile of those is The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, taking place this year on June 20th at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO. Tickets are available online or at Fat Beats NYC at $10 for a single, $35 for four, and other configurations.

Headlining the affair is the incomparable Queens tongue-twister Pharoahe Monch, who will join the legendary DJ Premier, The Ghost (aka Styles P), dead prez, Smif N Wessun (who are also playing Brower Park & Southpaw), Grand Puba (no Stud Doogie, love?), Marco Polo & Torae (who are also playing Fat Beats & Southpaw), and many many others. The full two stage lineup is below.

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is a few days shy of a month away from Pharoahe's appearance at All Points West as half of the mighty Organized Konfusion, and a few weeks after Marco Polo & Torae's new album Double Barrel hits stores.

Another major NYC Hip Hop Festival, Rock Steady 32nd Anniversary, has yet to announce any details. Brooklyn fest details below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival - 2009 lineup, date & ticket info "

The show originally scheduled to take place tonight (July 10) at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple was cancelled, so the first event of this weekend's Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival will instead take place Friday at 6pm in DUMBO. The main performance day with KRS One and DJ Premier is Saturday in Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park at 4pm. Things finish up Saturday night at Southpaw. Full schedule and more details at the festival site.

Maceo Parker in Prospect Park, 2006 (more)

Tickets are on sale for the following Brooklyn shows....

May 30 - Lose Your Shit Party w/ Escort, Herbaliser (DJ Set), Dego from 4Hero, DJ Smallchange

Jun 1 - 651 Arts Presents: Toshi Reagon plus Sharde Thomas & The Rising Star Fife & Drum Band

Jun 18 - Jazzfest & boomBOOM Presents: MACEO PARKER & TBA

Jul 10 - Brooklyn Hip Hip Festival: REVIVE DA LIVE featuring Chris Dave with special guests Bilal, Smif & Wessin, Chip Fu, Ladybug Mecca , and surprise guests TBA

Jul 31 - APPLES IN STEREO / Earlimart / Posion Control Center

Aug 21 - SUZANNE VEGA plus CHRISTINA COURTIN

"The Tub Project" in DUMBO - Sept 29, 2007 (CRED)

I've always liked the DUMBO Arts Under the Bridge Festival. I don't get "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass" that often, so it's always a good excuse to visit the neighborhood. The art-stuff ranges from painting & photograph galleries, to political messages, to random people doing weird things in the street. DUMBO is always getting better - for instance Galapagos is moving there, and it's always getting worse - do any artists even still live there? Even with all the real estate development though, I still like to think of DUMBO as a progressive place - not the kind of neighborhood to overlook a blatant act of animal cruelty happening right on their own streets.....

Dondi the elephant in DUMBO - Sept 29, 2007 (CRED)

Using her massive trunk to hold brushes, Dondi the elephant paints and showcases her artistic prowess. A presentation by renowned artist Vitaly Komar, who established an elephant art academy in Thailand with fellow artist Alex Melamid, will follow. Special project initiated and exclusively sponsored by Two Trees Management & Dumbo Improvement District.

And in somewhat related news.....

A production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” will replace a hip-hop festival next summer in a DUMBO venue controlled by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy — and organizers of the rap show believe that race played a role.

The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival — which brought thousands of people and big-name rappers to the park-and-condo waterfront development site in 2006 and 2007 — had already scheduled its 2008 production for the weekend of June 22.

But organizers were shocked last month to discover that the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy had given those days to St. Ann’s Warehouse to stage a Polish rendition of that Scottish play. [The Brooklyn Paper]

Ghostface Killah

"The 3rd Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival was this past Saturday (June 23, 2007), they had all day performances in effect and was free to the public for all hip-hop fans alike to enjoy. Wu-Tang’s own legendary MC Ghostface closed out the last day of the event along with artists like Cappadonna, Skillz, Consequence, Tanya Morgan, Emily King, Dres, Heltah Skeltah, Sean Price and more." [Clips and Kisses]

Continue reading "pictures of the 2007 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival"