Brooklyn celebrated hip-hop's 50th with a huge, free block party in Clinton Hill

'This is the best thing ever': Thousands filled Fulton Street Saturday to see Jungle Brothers, Dead Prez, KRS-One and others

By Scott Lynch

While the swells out in the suburbs were paying upwards of $500 to see the Rock the Bells show at Forest Hills Stadium yesterday, the old heads of Brooklyn turned out in force on Fulton Street for a free concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Part of the citywide “5×5 Block Party Series,” the show featured performances by legends KRS-One, Jungle Brothers, Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik, Masta Ace, Dead Prez, Dres from Black Sheep, Smif-N-Wessun, Da Bush Babees, the Fu-Schnickens, and a wild set from the group Zhigge. In between the live acts, all-star DJs Prince Paul and Mister Cee, among others, blasted old-school rap bangers that got the big crowd dancing and shouting along.

Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik (Scott Lynch)

“Hip-hop means everything to me,” Bed-Stuy native Janine Taylor told Brooklyn Magazine. “The clothes, the music, the style. We grew up with this. It feels excellent out here today. This is a beautiful thing.”

Photo by Scott Lynch

It was the first of five such events happening this month, one in each borough, each boasting hours of free live music and DJs as well as an array Black-owned small businesses selling food, clothing, wellness products and accessories. Several corporate-sponsored “activations” are also on hand. The Queens block party is happening Sunday, and in the coming days, 5×5 will travel to Staten Island on Friday, the Bronx on Saturday and Manhattan on Sunday.

Photo by Scott Lynch

This 5×5 Block Party Series is very much a Mayor Eric Adams initiative, but, thankfully, neither he nor any other politician stepped onto the Fulton Street stage. The NYPD kept a low profile throughout the seven-hour event, too. There weren’t many police barricades or other distracting crowd control devices in place, adding to the sense of unfettered fun.

Photo by Scott Lynch

“This is the best thing ever, brother,” said Jerry McRae of East New York. “It brings back so many good memories. And when people get together like this it keeps the crime down. That’s the key right there. Sometimes we get together for funerals, today we’re getting together for enjoyment. We should do this more often.”

Here are a few more scenes from the day.