On July 10-12, 2009, Solar One, NYC's first green energy, arts and education center, will present Citysol, a celebration of urban sustainability and creativity in a mini music and arts festival.

Continue reading "Citysol 2009 (July 10-12) - full lineup (Dead Prez, Shilpa Ray, Fiasco, So So Glos, Rachel Trachtenburg, more...)"

by Black Bubblegum

Marty Markowitz and Ralph McDaniels

The theme of this summer has been rain, and though the skies opened up halfway into the 5th anniversary show of The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on June 20th in Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park, that didn't stop the crowd from swaying to the classic beats and rhymes by a stable of 90s artists. Thankfully the organizers of the DUMBO show thought ahead, and though it was a little packed in there, everyone stayed perfectly dry inside the emergency tent.

With all the veterans of hip hop on Saturday's lineup, you'd think that the most kinetic performance of the day would come from a Grand Puba or Pharoahe Monch. You'd be wrong. Oddly enough, the least "conscious" MC and the one that I always felt was slightly overrated, Styles P of D-Block (fka The Lox), delivered an energetic performance of hits that was matched only by the energy that the crowd bounced back. I was shocked, though pleasantly so.

I was glad to be wrong about Styles P, and I definitely learned a few other things that rainy Saturday:

Continue reading "the 2009 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival - in pics & review "

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 "

by Black Bubblegum

Q-Tip @ Knitting Factory, Sept 29th (more by Eric Townsend)

In the past couple months, we have covered quite a few hip hop events at CMJ, but let this serve as a total guide to the madness to come... Have fun...

Continue reading "the 2008 guide to Hip Hop shows & panels @ CMJ"

by Black Bubblegum

A crew of hip-hop notables are gathering for a worthy cause, to help "spread the word that thousands of 9/11 first responders are sick and dying and need our help". Headliner Talib Kweli will join Dead Prez, revolutionary Immortal Technique, Mr. "The Greatest Story Never Told" Coming Soon aka Saigon, beatsmiths Da Beatminerz, Chip Fu (of the Fu-Schnickens), Dub Rock All Stars (ex-Da Bush Babees - "Remember we"? ), Loer Velocity, Mr. Green of Channel Live (performing? I thought all he does is spark mad Izm?), Messiah, Tiye Phoenix, and Scanz at The Madison (27 W 24th St, between Broadway and 6th) on Friday night (9/12).

Tickets are still available. If you can't make it but would still like to help, you can help by donating to this worthy cause.

Talib Kweli is also part of the upcoming Hip Hop Live tour and recently played Rock The Bells.

Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz and Black Moon will play the classic Enta Da Stage at an upcoming show at the Knitting Factory.