Meet Christie Z-Pabon: CEO of DMC USA, the woman behind the famed True School NYC Summer Park Jams and the highly informative Tools of War Grassroots Hip-Hop Newsletter. Add on the fact that she’s one of the nicest and most genuine people I know and a fabulous baker. Congratulations to Christie for the ten year anniversary of the Park Jams! link
One of “Tools of Wars” most talked about and anticipated events is the free, all-ages True School NYC Summer Park Jams in The Bronx and Harlem, which Pabon has been organizing since 2003. They are hosted by the Cold Crush Brother’s Grand Master Caz . “Hosting Christie’s events have to be some of the most rewarding work I’ve done in hip-hop,” says Grandmaster Caz. “It’s a labor of love and not always easy, but Christie pushes on and forward.” Attended by hip-hop enthusiasts from all over the globe, the weekly jams are Pabon’s way of recreating the outdoor parties she sorely missed out on in the ‘80s. “To finally have done events in The Bronx, the magical spot for jams, is incredible for me.”
The park jams have been a big success with visiting hip-hop fanatics, and the communities they are held in, and Pabon and Fabel are both adamant about keeping them clean. That means no profanity, racial slurs, or cursing on the mic. “I can’t think of any other events where it’s clear on the flyer and press releases that we don’t want anyone drinking or doing drugs at the jams,” says Pabon. “It’s a strong statement that some don’t like. If people are getting drunk in the hot sun, they are more likely to fight or have accidents, and I’ve worked way too hard to make this happen to lose it all.”
Next summer will mark the tenth year for the park jams, and the list of legendary DJs who have spun there is a rolodex of hip-hop vets: Kool DJ Red Alert, Grandmaster Flash, Luvbug Starski, Kool DJ AJ Scratch, and the man who ultimately inspired Pabon’s devotion to hip-hop’s early years, Afrika Bambaataa.
