While the swells out in the suburbs were paying upwards of $500 to see the Rock the Bells show at Forest Hills Stadium yesterday, the old heads of Brooklyn turned out in force on Fulton Street for a free concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop.
Part the citywide “5×5 Block Party Series,” the show featured performances by legends KRS-One, Jungle Brothers, Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik, Masta Ace, Dead Prez, Dres from Black Sheep, Smif-N-Wessun, Da Bush Babees, the Fu-Schnickens, and a wild set from the group Zhigge. In between the live acts, all-star DJs Prince Paul and Mister Cee, among others, blasted old-school rap bangers that got the big crowd dancing and shouting along.
Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik (Scott Lynch)
“Hip hops means everything to me,” Bed-Stuy native Janine Taylor told Brooklyn Magazine. “The clothes, the music, the style. We grew up with this. It feels excellent out here today. This is a beautiful thing.”
Photo by Scott Lynch
It was the first of five such events happening this month, one in each borough, each boasting hours of free live music and DJs as well as an array Black-owned small businesses selling food, clothing, wellness products, and accessories. Several corporate-sponsored “activations” are also on hand. The Queens block party is happening Sunday and in the coming days, 5×5 will travel to Staten Island on Friday, the Bronx on Saturday, and Manhattan on Sunday.
Photo by Scott Lynch
This 5×5 Block Party Series is very much a Mayor Eric Adams initiative, but, thankfully, neither he nor any other politician stepped onto the Fulton Street stage. The NYPD kept a low profile throughout the seven-hour event, too. There weren’t many police barricades or other distracting crowd control devices in place, adding to the sense of unfettered fun.
Photo by Scott Lynch
“This is the best thing ever, brother,” said Jerry McRae of East New York. “It brings back so many good memories. And when people get together like this it keeps the crime down. That’s the key right there. Sometimes we get together for funerals, today we’re getting together for enjoyment. We should do this more often.”
Here are a few more scenes from the day.
Smif-N-Wessun (Scott Lynch)
Mike G of Jungle Brothers (Scott Lynch)
Da Bush Babees (Scott Lynch)
Photo by Scott Lynch
Photo by Scott Lynch
Photo by Scott Lynch
Photo by Scott Lynch
Photo by Scott Lynch
Photo by Scott Lynch
The post Brooklyn celebrated hip hop’s 50th with a huge, free block party in Clinton Hill appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.
By: Scott Lynch
Title: Brooklyn celebrated hip hop’s 50th with a huge, free block party in Clinton Hill
Sourced From: www.bkmag.com/2023/08/06/brooklyn-celebrated-hip-hops-50th-with-a-huge-free-block-party-in-clinton-hill/
Published Date: Sun, 06 Aug 2023 18:32:09 +0000
