Grandgooders – I got some pics from that Universal Hip Hop Parade that went down last weekend in Brooklyn. Going on its eighth year, the UHHP became decidedly more official looking and more mobile than a couple of years ago, with more cars, trucks, SUV clubs like X-Ryders and SUV Divas this year, and less motorcycles clubs and Moko Jumbie walkers. The tradeoff was that it seemed more like a protected motorcade than a cultural parade. G.A.ME members tried to drive into the back end of the parade to join up with the rest of the participants, and luckily our lateness didn’t affect us too much, as the parade started a full hour later than planned. The parade started on Myrtle and Marcus Garvey, went straight down Marcus Garvey to Fulton, and then headed down Fulton towards Fort Greene. All in all, it felt good to march for hip hop and a host of other causes, and talk with fellow G.A.ME members, parade watchers, and participants. Definitely some good community spirit.

Driving up into the back of the parade, police man letting some traffic through the procession.

Driving up into the back of the parade, police man letting some traffic through the procession.



After running up some blocks all the way to the front, I got a glimpse of the front of the parade, with marchers.  As you can see, the RBG was in full effect.

After running up some blocks all the way to the front, I got a glimpse of the front of the parade, with marchers. As you can see, the RBG was in full effect.



This flatbed was real loud; don’t let those little speakers fool you.  This was keeping the music for the parade on and filling up several blocks.

This flatbed was real loud; don’t let those little speakers fool you. This was keeping the music for the parade on and filling up several blocks.



The SUV club X-ryders had a large presence.  All admiring kids and other parade viewers were given the nod and the wave by these dudes.

The SUV club X-ryders had a large presence. All admiring kids and other parade viewers were given the nod and the wave by these dudes.



Here’s a front view.

Here’s a front view.



Here are some marchers toward the front.

Here are some marchers toward the front.



Raising awareness about Darfur

Raising awareness about Darfur



C-roots movement representing.  Bringing that lively youthful energy to the parade.

C-roots movement representing. Bringing that lively youthful energy to the parade.



This guy is an allstar.  Not only did he rep with the greatest van decoration, but he also gives free classes at his Bedstuy offices for doing your own taxes.  This makes everybody more knowledgeable about the process and also leads to more returns, hopefully!  But besides all of that, you can’t help but like this dude when you look at him.

This guy is an allstar. Not only did he rep with the greatest van decoration, but he also gives free classes at his Bedstuy offices for doing your own taxes. This makes everybody more knowledgeable about the process and also leads to more returns, hopefully! But besides all of that, you can’t help but like this dude when you look at him.



The sun was getting lower as the parade went down Fulton.  Here you can see the back end of the parade with police bringing up the rear.

The sun was getting lower as the parade went down Fulton. Here you can see the back end of the parade with police bringing up the rear.