The Unexpected

One of the best things about the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival (www.trinityhiphop.org) is the unexpected things that happen when you are there. Here's a list of this year's biggest surprises.

1. 9-year old wins the b-boy battle - There were eight 2-man teams (one team with a b-girl, represent!) competing in the b-boy-b-girl battle for $500. Pop Master Fabel was the host. It seems impossible that Problems Kru - Bboy Spye and 9-year old Divine - could win it all. And really, unless you saw this kid rock, you may not believe it. Their competition was good, too. In fact, each round I thought that Problems Kru would not hold up to the challengers. Each time I was proved wrong. Analyzing their team, they really
did everything right. Spye had hat "hard" look on his face like many b-boys do, but Divine's expression throughout, even while getting dissed, was stoic, something akin to "I don't even have to bother with these guys." Both b-boys used enough moves to win each round but always had new moves for the next battle. Spye didn't even join the cipher/warm-up. Divine was shaky on some of him moves in warm-up but nailed them in the battle. His coup-de-grace, a picture perfect headspin (textbook 1983) and a power move handstand with his back and feet arched all the way over just off the ground.

2. Beatboxers galore - Baba Israel and Yako 400 are staples at the festival and they have a live beatbox show. This year they brought along three dudes from Prague, the Czech Beatbox All-Stars - Freaky Jesus, Nasty and Jaro Cossiga - who did a ridiculous impromptu set Friday night and then performed with Baba and Yako. During Baba's set, he handed the mic to the on stage cameraman - a Trinity College student - then took the camera while the student beatboxed! Later the Czech beatboxers jumped on stage with Baye Musa and the African Underground band to rock an impromptu Senegalese-Czech collabo. Baba also came out during Self-Suffice's set and did a beatbox and freestyle session. Saturday night, Akim the Funk Buddha of Zimbabwe Legit thrilled the audience with his beatbox skills and "throat singing". Turns out that the Funk Buddha has toured the world collaborating with musicians and artists and toured with hip hop theater groups as their musical backup.

3. Pioneers - Every year, some unexpected old school pioneers show up. We had the panel with Grandmaster Caz and DJ Tony Tone of Cold Crush Brothers, Grand Wizard Theodore (inventor of the scratch and needle drop) and DJ Disco Wiz (first Latino DJ). We also had Pop Master Fabel (Rock Steady Crew) as the host of the b-boy battle. DJ Charlie Rzock, another 70s hip hop DJ - came along with Caz and Theodore to the panel. Grandmaster Dee of Whodini "just happened to be in town" and stopped by the panel and b-boy battle. Trac2 of pioneering b-boy crew Starchild La Rock was one of the battle judges. And King Uprock of the Dynasty Rockers came out to the Saturday night performances.

For the full rundown of the festival, check my web site www.worldhiphopmarket.com/blog