After an excellent article a few years back, Tools of War gets some more long overdue and well-deserved shine. Woooooooooooord up to Christie and Fabel. link, link
Time Out
Ignore the violent name: This true-school crew serves up good-time, family-friendly (that’s cursing- and misogyny-free) sessions of classic hip-hop in twouptown parks, that draw Bronxites, B-boy and -girls and foreign hip-hop heads on a pilgrimage. Crotona Park Jams (Crotona Park Amphitheater, Crotona Park East at Charlotte St, Bronx; Thu 18, Thu 25, Aug 1 4–8pm; free), celebrating its tenth anniversary, hosts pioneers of the genre to spin throwback joints from the 1970s and ’80s. In August, Digger’s Delight (St. Nicholas Park, enter on St. Nicholas Ave at 135th St; Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 4–8pm; free) invites DJs with rare record collections to taunt your Shazam app in a Harlem plaza. Both parties rotate the four guest spinners every half hour, so even if you turn up later, you’ll get to hear every legend. Visit @ToolsofWarJams on Twitter for lineups and more information.Empire Guides
For 10 years, Tools of War Park Jams have brought completely free hip-hop concerts and DJ Battles to green spaces throughout New York City. The summer-long series includes several distinct events, each offering a unique way to get involved in the city’s prolific hip-hop culture. The parties kick-off in June with the Spanish Harlem Hop, held every Thursday at White Park with performers like Jazzy Jay, Haywire + Bobby Morales and Breakbeat Lou. The particularly popular Crotona Park Jams continue through the month of July and are headlined by pioneers and legends such as GrandWizzard Theodore, Lord Finesse, DJ Red Alert and Biz Markie. Those seeking a truly unique show should attend Diggers Delight, held each Tuesday in August, with DJ Rockin Rob, Supreme La Rock and more bringing out rarely played tracks from their collections. The True School Jams close the season in September, with classic breaks from both established and up-coming artists. Every show in 2013 will be emceed by Forever Host GrandMaster Caz with Invincible Sound by Superman and each one showcases some of the world’s top turntablism talents.B-boys, breakers, poppers and lockers always join the energetic parties, showing off incredible moves on impromptu dance floors. The entire series is presented by Tools of War Grassroots Hip-Hop, an organization dedicated to exposing and promoting the diverse artistic forms associated with the genera. The impressive line-up draws both locals and tourists to the shows, so plan to arrive early for the best views. The Tools of War Park Jams offer a truly authentic New York City experience that blends the most prominent elements of hip-hop history and artistic culture of the five boroughs. The Tools of War Park Jams series begins Thursday, June 6th and concludes September 26th, 2013. Concerts will be held at White Park in East Harlem, Crotona Park in the Bronx, Saint Nicholas Park in West Harlem, Concrete Plant Park in the Bronx and East River Park on the Lower East Side. See the Tools of War Facebook page for information on specific events. https://twitter.com/ToolsofWarJams
