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Saturday’s MusicFest: A Who’s Who of Hip-Hop

Talib Kweli brought some very special guests to City Hall Park for J&R MusicFest 2006: Taboo & will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas, Common, and more.

Talib Kweli, Common & DJ Hi-Tek Perform at J&R's Musicfest 2006

We were lucky enough to catch the Blacksmith Records showcase on Saturday, in City Hall Park. It had to be one the BEST hip-hop shows we have ever seen. The stars were off the hook, and the guests who jumped on the mic and started spittin’ were intense. And it was FREE! It’s the kind of show that real hip-hop fans dream of — where their favorite artists step up and show off the skills that made ‘em hot, even when it’s not their show. This is what gave hip-hop its life and character, and creates the kind of show that blows you away.

When you have to write about a show that was a Who’s Who of hip-hop, we don’t know where to begin. It’s easiest to start at the beginning: The opener was the impressive Jean Grae. She got the party started with her trademark flows. Her rhymes are sharp and they show a broad outlook and a sense of humor. She’s what hip-hoppers would be if they cracked more books. She kept the crowd moving and laughing, and her long-range freestyle in mid-set had the heads so impressed they could only stand there and watch.

Lady Grae, DJ Hi-Tek, Common, will.i.am & Talib Kweli

When she got off the stage, Talib Kweli got on and hyped up the crowd. His presence was enough, but he came with some friends. Jean Grae got back on stage for song. After that Kweli had his boys in the Strong Arm Steady crew come up and show New York how they do in California. That would’ve been good enough, but when Common and The Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo & will.i.am came on stage to drop a little freestyle on the crowd, it officially became the BEST hip-hop shows New York has seen in years. We’re proud to have hosted it.

Black Eyed Peas' Taboo & will.i.am Backstage at J&R's Musicfest 2006

If you missed it, we don’t know what to say — except that you missed a little piece of music history. Don’t worry, you can see more photos here. And if you were lucky enough to be at the show and take some pics, add them to our Flickr group and show the world!

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musicfest j&r talib kweli lady grae black eyed peas