Can’t believe this got lost in the shuffle. If you’re near BX this afternoon I strongly suggest attending this free panel discussion and show. There will also be a presentation of early sound systems and the event will end with a screening of, wait for it, From Mambo To Hip Hop. Did I mention it’s free? Full description after the jump.
3pm to 6pm. Free and Open to the Public! Featuring Kool DJ Herc, Kool DJ Red Alert, Just Ice, Ralph McDaniels, Patricia Chin, Dr. Natasha Lightfoot, Brother Vincent, Carter Van Pelt and more! All ages welcome. The Point CDC 940 Garrison Ave. Bronx NY 10474 thepoint.org. 6 train to Hunt’s Point. Presented by The Point & City Lore.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Bring Out the Sound System
The West Indian Roots of Hip HopWhen discussing the origins of Hip Hop, most agree that it began in the Bronx. Many also agree that it is an African-American artform with many antecedents. It is a known fact that the trinity of Hip Hop DJ pioneers have roots in the West Indies including DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash. Other early artists who made significant contributions to the music include Kool DJ Red Alert, KRS-One, Doug E. Fresh, among others. The sound systems brought out into the parks by Jamaican DJs and the tradition of toasting are among the influences to be debated and discussed.
Post World War II Bronx had a growing community of West Indian immigrants, particularly after the U.S. Immigration Act of 1965. Recreation rooms at 1520 Sedgwick where Kool Herc deejayed and Bronx River Houses where Afrika Bambaataa held court as well as many local parks and early venues like the Black Door, where Grandmaster Flash rocked, mark the cradle of Hip Hop.
“Bring Out the Sound System: The West Indian Influence on Hip Hop” presented by City Lore and The Point CDC, will take place on Saturday, February 28th, 2009 from 3 to 6 pm at The Point CDC, at 940 Garrison Avenue in the Bronx NY 10474
Dr. Natasha Lightfoot of the Bronx African-American Oral History Project, will lead a discussion featuring Hip Hop pioneers and legends including Kool DJ Herc, Kool DJ Red Alert (98.7 Kiss FM), Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) and VP Records co-founder, Patricia Chin. VP Records (named after founders Patricia and Vincent) was founded 50 years ago as a record store in Kingston called Randy’s Record Mart, and went on to record many of the DJ and Reggae legends in Jamaica. Carter Van Pelt of Wax Poetics will interview Patricia Chin about the history of VP Records.
The discussion will be followed by a presentation on Jamaican and Hip Hop sound systems from the 1970s by DJ Kool Herc and Brother Vincent. The evening concludes with a reception, where audience members can view: From Mambo to Hip Hop: The Exhibit, a photo exhibit which complements City Lore’s award-winning documentary directed by Henry Chalfant, From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale; dance to the music of DJ Just Ice; and purchase West Indian fare provided by Bascom Catering with delicious roti, jerk and curry chicken, and salt fish.
Contact
Elena Martínez, City Lore, 212-529-1955, x306 (citylore.org)
Kellie Terry-Sepulveda, The Point, 718-542-4139 x27 (thepoint.org)Train directions: 6 Train to Hunt’s Point. Walk underneath the Bruckner overpass and take a right onto Garrison. The Point is one block down on your left.
Funded by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and The Scherman Foundation.
Kool Herc: myspace.com/thefatherofhiphop
Kool DJ Red Alert: myspace.com/oldschoolatnoon
Patricia Chin: www.vprecords.com
Just Ice: myspace.com/113008827
Ralph McDaniels: myspace.com/uncleralph
Brother Vincent: myspace.com/brothervincent
Carter Van Pelt: http://waxpoetics.com
