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Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival 2014: We Made It!

Jay Elec and Jay Z

Words by Dashaun Simmons @13Rose | Photos by Shino Yanagawa @shinopaz

A decade ago the good folks at Brooklyn Bodega created the first Hip Hop Festival in Brooklyn. Throughout the years they’ve had headliners from all over the city like Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, Q-Tip, Pharoahe Monch and De La Soul. For the 10 year anniversary the Bodega wanted to do it big, so they went and stacked the deck with some old favorites alongside some new talent.

Early on festival goers were treated to the likes of previous headliners like Brand Nubian to set the tone of the day. G.O.O.D Music artist from Atlanta CyHi The Prince took the stage to promote his aggressive mixtape Histori: Black History Project. Next was the performance that would change the game for the BHF.

Jay Electronica, a man who continues to confuse the hip hop world with his words and actions whether on twitter or on the blogs, was next to take the stage. He arrived in full F.O.I (Fruit of Islam) garb with a detail from the Nation in tow to ensure his protection. Throughout his performance he shared the stage with Mac Miller (who forgot his verse), Talib Kweli and fellow Roc Nation artist J Cole. But it was the captain of the ship who created pandemonium at the festival. After having everyone in attendance throw their diamond in the sky, Jay Elec called out Jay Z. Jay took the stage to his version of Big Daddy Kane’s Young Gifted and Black. After that the two Jay’s went right into their remake of We Made It complete with Five Percenter jargon and Drake shade. It was a beautiful moment. One that was pretty impossible to follow, but someone had to go on next.

The Two Jays

CJ Fly took the stage with his band and did his best to entertain a crowd that just got finished rapping along to Jay Z’s PSA with the man himself. A difficult task indeed. He did a pretty good job actually with his small band. It was a nice look for the Pro Era emcee.

CJ Fly

Next to the stage was the other headliner…you know the guy from Wu-Tang. Raekwon the Chef came out in a CLEAN pair of kicks and took the crowd through a journey of Wu songs plus his solo stuff. Rae had no problem rapping his brother’s verses in their absence which made for a fun show. Being a man who likes to share, Rae brought out only Brooklyn emcees like Masta Killa (Glaciers of Ice is still amazing), Lil Fame from MOP, AZ, online sensation Bobby Shmurda (a HUGE surprise) and Papoose (which I have to say the crowd kinda went crazy for). It was a little awkward when Rae didn’t really get to end his set, and instead Pap ended it for him with a free Remy chant. How in the hell do you follow that in year 11. A good problem to have I say.

Raekwon

Rae and AZ

Rae and Pap

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FOI

Jay Elec

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10 Years Fresh

Fusicology