It is with great pleasure that the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival (BHF) announce the addition of Emily King, Dres of Black Sheep, Video Music Box legend Ralph McDaniels, and El Michels Affair to their 3rd Annual event. Emily King is the future of soul music. Truly unable to be contained by any one category, Emily King represents the best of what our musical future might look like. Rather than concentrate on the differences between hip-hop and rock, party music and protest music, black and white, she’s committing herself to finding a common ground. “I’m just finding my own culture within myself,” she says. “We have a lot of division in our society, but I was never raised like that. I feel like what I’m doing right now is going to bring a lot of people together.” Fusing the musical styles of Jazz, Funk and Soul together, the music on King’s J Records debut, East Side Story, reveals roots that are deep and ambitions that are grand. Dres takes on the role of veteran MC, a position that is instrumental to the success of the BHF. He will rock any party with certified classic hits in his catalog such as “Flavor of the Month” and “The Choice is Yours,” As one half of the ’90s rap duo, Black Sheep, Dres work has proved to be playfully satirical, witty, and incredibly imaginative. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing introduced one of the freshest talents in early-’90s rap and epitomized these very characteristics. Dres recently released his latest solo album, 8WM/Novakane. Hosting this year’s BHF, will be none other than legendary Ralph McDaniels. Making his mark in the realm of Hip Hop as host of the world famous Video Music Box, and as a video director, the BHF is honored to have him return to host this year’s festivities. Known by Hip Hop fans all over as “Uncle Ralph” his extensive library of Hip Hop footage is unmatched. Not only is he known for making his mark in front of the camera, but his video director credits add to his status as a Hip Hop legend. Uncle Ralph was the man behind classic videos such as Wu Tang’s, “C.R.E.A.M.,” “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” by Nas and Black Moon’s “Who Got Da Props.” If Hip Hop is nothing else, it is the union of creative ideas and styles. The soulful funk infusion of the 8 piece band, El Michels Affair, is a unique mixture of the classic and the modern aspects of Hip Hop. They have received acclaim for their raw soulfulness, intricate horn harmonies and hypnotic vocals that linger long after the music silences. Their past work has defined them as a band interested in realizing smoothness, rather than faking rawness. In 2006 they released their soulful cover of “C.R.E.A.M.”, which was a sensation with funk enthusiasts and Wu Tang fans alike. Most recently, El Michels Affair has joined the diverse Fat Beats Records roster. The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is a series of free events celebrating Hip Hop music and culture and the borough of Brooklyn as a premier cultural destination. The BHF features the best in legendary performers as well as the culture’s next brightest talents. Now entering its 3rd year, the festival has expanded to include 5 events throughout the month of June, 2007. The 3rd Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is produced by Brooklyn Bodega, The Room Service Group, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and in conjunction with powerHouse Books. Please visit www.brooklynbodega.com for info including lineup details, full programming calendar, tickets and more.
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