Finding The Beat In Brooklyn

March 5, 2022 by Al Pereira

While it is true that good music is where you find it, if you know where to look, it’s a lot shorter trip. When hunting for live Hip-Hop, that often means heading over to the Prospect Park Bandshell and the Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival, which , which I hope manages to bounce back and have a robust, post-Covid 2022 as they get set to announce the lineup for the Summer of 2022 . If you saw the feature on D-Nice’s Club Quarantine show (Brooklyn Roads , September 2021) you know that they always come correct.

With that in mind—here are a few of my favorite Hip-Hop moments from Celebrate Brooklyn! over the years:

1) The Roots: June 18, 2013—The Roots are many things to many people, but they are true Hip-Hop at heart. You never know quite what might happen at one of their shows, and seeing Tuba Gooding, Jr and Captain Kirk Douglas fly off high Questlove’s drum riser while staying in time and in tune was a perfect example. Captivating!

2) Big Daddy Kane: August 8, 2009—Brooklyn’s Greatest Lyrical Acrobat also showed he lost nothing off his ground game, keeping his dancing strong with Skoob and Scrap to the delight of a full house who sang along with almost every word of his classic rhymes.

3) Buckshot: June 28, 2008—The erstwhile Boot Camp Clik and Black Moon Vet turned out for the Crooklyn Dodgers Reunion and as usual, tore things up, as did the grimy collective.

4) Ghostface Killa: June 23, 2012—Brooklyn got the chance to celebrate The Wu (Wu-Tang Clan) loudly and in style with this show, and it was a steady frenzy with every word Killa delivered.

5) KRS-One: August 3, 2007—Brooklyn’s Finest Hip-Hop wordsmith also once slept in the bandshell when he was homeless. So coming back to headline the Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival meant pulling out all the stops and delivering all of the hits. One of the best nights of music in any form the ‘shell has ever seen.

6) Skoob, Big Daddy Kane, D-Nice backstage: August 8, 2009—Some of the great moments also happen away from the crowd, and these golden-age giants squeezing into the tiny dressing room speak to the camaraderie that the form, and the Festival, foster.

: The Roots / photo by Al Pereira

: Big Daddy Kane/ photo by Al Pereira

: Buckshot -Crooklyn Dodgers / photo by Al Pereira

: Ghostface Killa / photo by Al Pereira

: KRS-One at Celebrate Brookyln!

: Skoob, Big Daddy Kane and D-Nice Backstage / photo by Al Pereira

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

... read article