Week of May 22, 2008, Issue #657
MUSIC
Hip Hop in the Park
All in a day’s work for the 40-some performers at Hip Hop in the Park
KRISTINA DE GUZMAN / kristina@vueweekly.com
Local hip-hop fans are sure to know who Touch & Nato, Cadence Weapon and Politic Live are, but Hip Hop in the Park, which has over 40 Albertan hip-hop acts as part of its lineup, is about to showcase a slew of under-recognized and, perhaps, unknown local talent that this province has to offer.
With the picnic party being only eight hours long, most acts will be sharing the stage with another performer and allotted 15 minutes or less to showcase their music.
“I wanted to open it up so that everyone who is working on something that they consider to be a part of hip hop [will] be able to have a moment in the sun,” explains event organizer Don Welsh. “Instead of selecting a select few to perform and telling everyone [else], ‘Tough luck, better luck next year,’ I wanted to give everyone a chance to get in the spotlight a little bit.”
Spreading the word about local artists is one of the goals that Hip Hop in the Park hopes to achieve. When going to local shows, Welsh notes that he tends to see the same faces.
“I see a lot of big names in hip hop from outside of Edmonton [like Boot Camp Clik, Pete Rock or Afrika Bambaataa] and I see tons of people that I’ve never seen before,” observes Welsh. “They’re Edmonton hip-hop fans but they don’t know what’s going on in Edmonton hip hop. You don’t really see them in any local hip-hop events. They just go out to the big ones. I think a lot of acts in Edmonton blow away a lot of these big name acts.”
Besides eight hours worth of music, Hip Hop in the Park attendees can look forward to a barbecue, history lessons, games including “Name That Tune” and musical chairs, freestyle lessons and other activities related to hip hop culture.
“There’s gonna be something for everyone,” says Welsh. “If you don’t like rap music, come down for the fact that there’s gonna be a party going on in the park.” V
Sat, May 24 (12 pm)
Hip Hop in the Park
With over 40 Alberta rappers, dancers, DJs and graffiti artists
Louise McKinney Park, free
Complete schedule at hiphopinthepark.ca
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