Once upon a time… My Pelegrim in Hip Hop Land

This article is a reminiscence of my journey one year ago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dominant cultural movements nowadays, the culture that taught me so much… MY culture! HIP HOP.

“You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far”- Biggie on "Juicy"

Thursday, August 10th 2023 - Two pairs of socks, a couple of underwear, a toothbrush, body spray, sunglasses, a passport, and a credit card. I just finished packing my tiny backpack. Nothing more, I got everything I needed for my trip to New York City, USA. I guess normal people would think it is very little to travel that far from Barcelona, Spain; but as I am planning to sleep little, walk a lot, and spend just two intense full days in the city that never sleeps, I’m confident I got what I need.

Emotionally, I feel like it is Christmas morning. Excited as a kid. As if the French National Basketball Team won the Gold Medal over Team USA in the Paris Olympics. That type of excitement, ya dig?!

In just a few hours, I will step into the Big Apple to get closer to my goal. The door’s flat closed. Aerobus ticket, security checking, onboarding, security belt locked… “We have a lift-off”. See you in eight hours, Dream!

What’s my plan for two days in New York City? Don’t follow my city guide as it is TOO MUCH oriented toward my ultimate passion, the Hip-hop movement.

“Rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live.” - KRS-One

I Slept in Brooklyn close enough to the Brooklyn Public Library so I can visit the temporary exhibition about one of the greatest artists and businessmen of our time: JAY-Z. The doors open at 9:00 am. The alarm was set for one hour earlier. Yeah, I plan to be the first one in. Shower, coffee, and 30-minute walk among Brooklyn’s famous redbricks until the entrance.

Me: “Hi, how long does it usually take to visit the entire exhibition?”

- "Approximately one hour." I stayed three!

What to learn more about the exhib “The Book of Hov” - www.thebookofhov.com

With a couple of hours left before the main reason for my trip, I seized the opportunity to pay homage to a few Brooklyn legends. Visiting the graffiti murals of Russell Tyrone Jones, aka ODB, and Christopher Wallace, aka The Notorious B.I.G., including a walk to Biggie’s childhood home.

Brooklyn: DONE. Up to BX now!

The New York subway is a real Hip-hop experience. During the hour-long trip to the South Bronx, I calculated it was the perfect time to listen to some music. So, I pressed play on my first-ever music production, the HOORAY mixtape, a celebration of 50 years of Hip-hop that I produced with a couple of artist friends to pay homage to the genre. What I see and what I hear blend perfectly for a 360-degree immersive musical and visual experience.

Want to listen to the HOORAY mixtape or buy your vinyl? Visit theroseproduction.org/hooray-mixtape

“South Bronx, South South Bronx” - Boogie Down Productions

After a smooth check-in and a power nap at my hotel, I dressed up with my Adidas Superstars on my feet to join a block party in the park in front of what will soon be the first museum of Hip-hop (opening mid-2025). The grass at Mile Bond Park looks like a streetwear catwalk. All blinged out!

Here, the five elements of Hip-hop are alive and thriving. Graffiti legends like Lady Pink and Tats Cru are painting on the walls. There’s a breakdance open cypher powered by Red Bull BC One. A DJ set features Coke LaRock (the first MC ever!) and more legends, including Fearless Four, Chuck D & Flavor Flav from Public Enemy, Jaz-O (the first to rap with Jay-Z), and more!

The warm-up is over, and I walk to the place to be tonight.

Friday, August 11th, 2023 - It’s showtime!

Exactly 50 years after Clive Campbell, better known as DJ Kool Herc, and his sister Cindy hosted a block party in 1973 that marked the birth of Hip-hop. I have a date at Yankee Stadium for an eight-hour show featuring most of the legends of this game. I told you, I’m like a kid at Christmas!

The surroundings of the Stadium ooze Hip Hop. It’s summertime, sunny and hot, and everyone has a big smile and is as excited as I am. It feels like I know everyone. Probably because we’re all gathered for the same love of this culture. No new friends, just a crowd of brothers and sisters fresh to death. Yankee hats and Adidas on our feet to complete our cypher.

Thirty minutes of queuing to get in while amateur rappers spit their verses outside, and everyone shows off. This is America!

I go for the full experience—a cocktail with cognac, a hot dog, a local craft beer, and some merch already acquired (obviously in the mecca of consumption!).

Let’s sit down and be humble. Next to me, a couple, 55 and 43 years old—him from Queens, her from BK. They met last year at the Rock The Bells festival powered by LL Cool J. Tonight, we’ll be best friends singing in choir during the entire show.

Every DJ pays respect to various legends and banger songs. Artists show love to each other, and headliners bring other superstars on stage. It is a true family reunion!

Saturday, August 12th, 2023 - 2:00am

End of the show! Wow…. I mean, WOW! I walk back to my hotel. I mean, I fly to my hotel. Exhausted but knowing I’m living one of the best moments of my entire life!

☕️ Eight hours later, a coffee is well deserved. Direction: South Bronx to visit a couple of top spots in this hood, passing by murals of J-Lo, the late Fred The Godson, Kobe and GiGi, and Fat Joe’s Terror Squad fashion shop, UP NYC.

“One orange juice and chicken waffle, please.” 🧇

Brunch at the very first Hip-hop restaurant, hidden behind curtains in a vinyl shop. Quick shopping in the very first Hip-hop library (and wine bar!) 100% black-women-owned. My treasure? The very rare Sophie Bramly’s “YO! The early days of Hip-hop” book.

South Bronx, birthplace of Hip-hop. My spiritual home!

Early in the afternoon, I still have one box to check before flying home…

Skytrain to go further north, until Mt Eden Av. What’s there? I join a group of people, a family with friends, who are doing the same pilgrimage as I am. Smart move because navigating these streets and hills alone would have been a challenge not to get lost.

Across a wasteland, in the middle of two project buildings, tiny stairs lead down to the holy place (well, the closest train station is “Mt Eden” I mean…).

The closer we get, the louder the bass blasts from the boombox. B-boys and B-girls are friendly battling on old-fashioned linoleum tiles. Cats roll and smoke their blunts. Adidas offers custom tees and shops pop-up everywhere. OG ladies dance to 70s funk. A group of old-timers teach chess to youngsters. And, a couple of meters away, people stare at this entrance. On top of the doors:

1520 Sedgwick Avenue.

Where it all started. From where we’ll all carry on the tradition.

I am visiting the place on earth where my passion started fifty years ago.

I am feeling good.

Mission completed.

A 48-hour trip to the Mecca.

“It was all a dream” - Biggie on “Juicy”

You also want to live this dream? Go check out the unforgettable replay of the 8-hour show on YouTube here: HIP HOP 50 LIVE AT YANKEE STADIUM and below:

Peace, Love, and Unity.

Adrien Rosier