If you consider yourself a real Hip Hop Head, there are few things that you have to do in your lifetime, and no, it's got nothing to do with throwbacks and 40-inch rims. Seeing classic films like "Wild Style," keeping Nas's "Illmatic" within reach at all times, and going to Rocksteady at least once are things you have to do if you love the art.
The Rocksteady Crew celebrated the 26th Anniversary of the event this year, with the main concert at Pier 54 in NYC. It's a week-long event, with a battle and open mic known as End of the Weak. While the event also includes a film festival, the true high point of the week is the Saturday, the free show, undoubtedly a definitive who's-who in the Hip Hop scene.I got there early to sell copies of my newest mixtape, "HipHopGame.com Radio Volume One," and I sold out within two hours. I then got my press pass and got in ahead of the mile-long line outside.Just as I entered, Immortal Technique was taking the stage. Now if you've been sleeping, Technique is one of the nastiest lyricists in the game. He's won countless battles, and sold over 40,000 units of his first album, "Revolutionary Volume One," online and on the street. He was killing it up there until they cut his mic, saying that he was too controversial. The sponsors were scared of him, but he did better in the short time he got than most artists could do without getting pulled.Soul Purpose, who just put out a very dope album "Breaking Records," put on a similarly great performance, as did Black Moon. DJ Evil Dee controlled the crowd all day, as he was the guest DJ for Jean Grae, one of the best female lyricists in the game.
The Wu was repping out there as well, though Masta Killa put on a forgettable performance. A nice surprise was Killah Priest ripping it for a minute, but Freddie Foxxx, a.k.a. Bumpy Knuckles, was the one with the stage presence to make up for the absence of M.O.P, a no-show.
There were plenty of legends out there too. Kurtis Blow, who is a main reason that Hip Hop became what it is today, came out for a minute on stage. He's still doing his thing, and it's good to see the legends come out. One of the Rocksteady Crew's legendary B-Boy's Crazy Legs was there as well, and you'd think he was a bouncer, as he was regulating the long line, which is something you'd never see any of the current "stars" do.
That's what makes this event so great, because the legends aren't walking around with their bodyguards and rolling up in Hummers. Naturally, half of the NYPD was out there, but the only thing they were good for was directing traffic, as they still don't understand how peaceful the Rocksteady events really are.
Before Wordsworth (of Lyricist Lounge fame) took the stage, he was freestyling in ciphers at the back of the pier. It's very rare to see established MC's get with the public and rhyme, so it's tight when you see it happen.
While Wordsworth was ripping it with his freestyles, members of the Brooklyn Academy were pushing their albums. Poison Pen was moving his "Forward Volume Two" in between his appearances on stage, as C-Rayz Walz, dressed in a bright-orange prison jumpsuit, stood on a chair promoting his Def Jux release "Ravipops." DJ Black Panther was there as well, pushing his compilation "The Darkest Night Ever," as Rack-Lo and Thirstin Howl III were moving units of their releases as they were set up right by the Wonder Twinz.The Wonder Twinz are two of the best-known figures in NYC scene. Besides holding it down on Sirius Satellite Radio, the brothers put out a Hip Hop directory, which is a must-have for anyone trying to make it, as well as having the famous "Connex Parties," which is the first Monday of the month at NYC's "Downtime." They are doing more for Hip Hop than just about everyone out there, as they're not afraid to break new records on the air and link people up when they're not blazing the Technics.
Continuing the long list of talent was the QN5 Fam, which was in full effect. Tonedeff, who is going to wake up a lot of people when he releases his "Archaetype" album in September, was holding it down with his baby blue gear. Other QN5 and EF@mm members were out as well, as Substantial, Pack FM, Mecca, and Session were pushing their latest projects and chilling with their fans.In addition to the acts that have received national acclaim, the best of the up-and-comings were also around to enjoy the show. Hicoup of Brick City was there, along with Undefined and DJ Concept of Crisis Center. E-Mid of Manifest Destiny was there with his girl, Diane Afonso, who takes complete control of tracks with her great singing ability.
There are a lot of Hip Hop events going on everywhere, but there is nothing like Rocksteady. Next year, make it out to Pier 54 and see who's really doing it in Hip Hop. While Chingy may be "right thurr" on top right now, next year you can probably buy some popcorn and water from him as artists like Tonedeff and Immortal Technique continue to gain legions of fans and move units.
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