Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival 2012

"Busta Rhymes up in the place. True indeed."

The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival was thrown into overdrive last year. The show was already a large success but when headliner Q-Tip brought Kanye West to the stage, it was immediately thrown into a new level of popularity. For 2012, the venue was moved to the more open and BEAUTIFUL Pier 3 and the masses came out for a hot day of music, dance, art and food.

If you happened to catch last years Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival main day, then you also witnessed Busta Rhymes' surprise performance during Q-Tip's set. You will also know that while Busta was as dope as ever, he was not in the best shape. He was winded and not as energetic as we all know he can be. He performed his verse from "Look At Me Now" and couldn't keep up with himself. This year as headliner himself, Busta showed why none of these new acts can hold a candle to him.

Busta was in incredible shape this time, well rehearsed and ON FIRE! He calmly walked out to front and center stage and only asked one question: "DON'T THIS $#!T MAKE MY PEOPLE WANNA....!?" Mayhem ensued and the mood was set. The show was supercharged energy from start to the event planners and NYPD shutting his mic off.

He went through hit, after hit, after hit in snippets and the crowd was crammed on top of each other trying to be as close as possible to the energy on stage. It was amazing to watch! If I wasn't so busy trying to capture photos and video for y'all, I would have cut a damn fool out there. If Busta's energy alone was not enough, he brought special guests, Smif N Wessun, Buckshot, J-Doe, Reek Da Villain, Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, the legendary Slick Rick (which was epic) and believe it or not....

After almost 19 years of doing his own thing.... Leaders of the New School!


While my video work sucks in unbelievable ways, I captured the moment for those of you who did not or could not make it. Brooklyn Bodega and the BK Hip-Hop Festival facilitated one of the greatest moments in Hip-Hop history! I'm so thankful that I was there to witness it first hand.

Check the video below (start with your volume low) and a few select photos from the day. Can't wait to see how this all plays out next year!

Acrylic Painting of Biggie on Canvas 

Artist @DanielleBKNYC live painting Jay-Z 

General Steele (l.) and friends. 

Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star interview with XXL. 

Buckshot  

Leaders of the New School. Charlie Brown (lc.), Dinco D (r.) 

BONUS: The next generation.

Square Off Cypher

Hip-Hop is a culture. As such, there are traditions that are handed down from generation to generation to help promulgate the future of Hip-Hop. One such tradition is the "cypher". The gathering of MCs, usually in a circle, to test each others skill and wit with words. Each participant takes a turn trying to one up his peers with more clever wordplay and rhythmic approach or "flow".

BET put together a bunch of clips for their 2010 awards show featuring a relatively eclectic mix of artists from legendary names like Busta Rhymes and Raekwon to up and comers like Zawcain and Cyhi Da Prince. There was even a fathers and sons version where Ice Cube and sons spit alongside Run and his boys.

Doug E. Fresh and his two young men (Square Off) just released a BET style cypher for the masses and if this was snubbed by BET.....SHAME ON THEM! These boys are dope and when you have Doug E. Fresh beatboxing for you, it's pretty much a wrap. Check the video below and see for yourself...

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Brooklyn Bodega really does a great job with this event.  It's a huge undertaking and while I'm sure there are hitches all over, it all comes together for fans of Hip-Hop.  You can't ask for much more than that.  You really get a great value for your money.

I took off from my home around 1 pm and traffic slowed me down considerably.  I didn't get there until 2:20 pm.  It should have only taken me 30-40 minutes tops.  Then I got there and couldn't find parking.  I was frustrated for a short while, but once I got into the park the positive energy made everything OK.  There were plenty of vendors and sponsors, lots of food and drinks and tons of good music.

I didn't stick around to catch headliners De La Soul perform, but I did get a chance to shoot them before they went on.  I'm sure they killed it as usual.  I slightly regret missing their performance though.

Trugoy aka Dave

Maseo (l.) and DJ Evil Dee (r.)

Posdnuos

Smif n Wessun (aka Cocoa Brovas) also came through to represent Boot Camp.  Black Moon was also in the building.  I even saw Rockness.  It was good to see them out but I was only looking for Sean Price who did not show.  Sue me. 

Tek

Steele

I wish Babu had a solo.  When I started learning to scratch back in 2002, I was big on the Invisibl Skratch Piklz.  Especially Q-Bert and Mix Master Mike.  I knew I would never practice enough to get to such an advanced level, but I loved watching and listening to masters.  Then I discovered Babu.  He almost instantly became my favorite.  His style is so effortless and funky.

DJ Babu feat. Rakaa with the screw face

I missed Kalae All Day's set due to the afore mentioned traffic.  I did catch up with her at the show though.  She was stuntin' hard in her self designed Utta K.A.O.S. shades.  Also ran into YC the Cynic giving love and support to Kalae.

Kalae All Day

YC the Cynic

Fashawn came out representing Cali as well as that "Golden Era" Hip-Hop.  Definitely check out that 'Boy Meets World' album.  He really held it down on stage.  It's a shame that everyone had such a short amount of time to perform. 

Fashawn

At some point during the day, I took a short break to go get a drink and I ran into Grind Time battle rapper Soul Khan.  It was weird seeing him outside of his "I can beat any battle rapper...any time...any where." mode.  He's a real laid back guy and he even smiled for his picture.  I still wouldn't challenge him to a rap battle.  Hell, most people who do shouldn't.

Soul Khan

I had a really good time.  I cut out a little early to go cover another event but I got to see and talk to some great people.  The homie Pack FM was there for a guest spot with Those Chosen.  Mr. Mecca berated me for not smiling enough.  I caught Hip-Hop pioneer Marley Marl walking around with his son/upcoming producer M. Will the Shogun.  Craig G was hanging out backstage.  Curren$y and Trademark were in the house.  It was just overflowing with talent.  A great mix of old and new schools.  The crowd was into the whole experience and the brief rain couldn't change their mood.  I'm definitely looking forward to next years Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival.

Kil Ripkin - "Not You"

 (image via myspace.com/kilripkin)

I got this video through e-mail and I'm very much glad that I did.   This is classic Boom Bap!  Kil's sound is on point.  From delivery to content, this is head nod music that also reaffirms self-awareness and empowerment. Produced by Eric G and shot by Science Projects, Kil Ripkin brings us quality Hip-Hop that's meant to encourage personal growth as well as entertain.  Much respect to Kil for taking on such a noble mission.



Kil Ripkin on Twitter

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival Show & Prove

Despite the outrageous heat yesterday, I made my way to Brooklyn Bowl for the Show and Prove segment of the BK Hip-Hop Festival.  6 artists/bands were competing for 2 slots as openers for De La Soul this Saturday at the festivals culmination.  Each performer had to bring his/her A game to excite the crowd and impress the judges.

After some great performances and some not so great, the judges took 15 minutes to decide on the two winners.  I was in 100% agreement with their choices of The Crowd and the incredible Kalae All Day.  I was especially impressed with Kalae.

I first saw Kalae at SOB's last wednesday.  She was tagging along with YC the Cynic in support of his performance that evening.  She dropped a few bars for hiphopworld.com's camera and I was left with my jaw on the floor.  I haven't heard a girl JUST rap in ages.  Far too often for my tastes, female MCs get too wrapped up in the machismo aspect of rapping or have a bad case of Foxxy Brown's disease and only rap about how ill their "nana" is.

Kalae is nothing like those types of female rappers.  She's just incredibly gifted with words.  She would definitely put you in the mind of Lauryn Hill as she does sing and rap, but she isn't trying to duplicate The Miseducation of...  Kalae All Day is doing her own thing and doing it extremely well.  Definitely check out her website and blog to keep up with what she's doing.  Mark my words, this girl is going to be big!

The Crowd was also a very interesting band.  Most members have dual roles during their performances.  The guitarist beatboxes.  The bassist sings.  The drummer raps.  It's a beautiful blend of Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop with a touch of Jazz influence.  They really kept the audience engaged as those who had not seen them before were wondering what was going to happen next.  It was a great set to watch and they were strong throughout.

Here are a few shots of the winners:

 The Crowd

Kalae All Day

Be sure to catch both acts this Saturday, July 10th, 2010!  Details below: