hip-hop honors: A3C festival, Atlanta GA
(above: Little Brother showin us all how its done did)
When I was still in the A, I got a chance to work behind the scenes at the A3C Hip-Hop Festival, where lots of incredible talent graced the stage. The A is a hub of crazy, crazy DOPE music, a ranging spectrum of monstrous crunk and beautifully strange ATL-ien peculiarity. From the Lil Jons to the Andre 3000s, the A is undeniably a nexus for music you just can’t ignore.
So of course I just HAD to be at the center of where it all goes down. The A3C festival boasted a lineup that can make any hip-hop head feel like they’re at a candy store, with names like Del the Funky Homosapien, Jeru, Little Brother, and the highly anticipated Juice Crew reunion to satisfy any loyal listener’s sweet ear.
Now, I’m going to have to make a confession. I didn’t grow up listening to hella hip hop. I grew up to mainstream pop and r&b- shieet, I mean, the first song I learned when I immigrated to the states with super duper Manila flavor still fresh on my tongue was “Knockin’ Boots” by o-town. I learned Mase and Warren G shortly after, and that’s about as “gangster” as it got.
So when I assigned to sell CDs for this fun loving, brooklyn swaggered fellow with a giant smile named Jeru, I was unaware that I was kickin it, trading jokes, and sipping orange juice with a legend. Jeru the Damaja has been touring for maaaad long now, hitting 200 shows a year across the globe (in EVERY continent), and has worked closely with Guru and Dj Premier of Gang Starr. Hip hop heads almost lost their minds with their mouths agape when they realized they didn’t have to give me the CD Money, they can give it straight to Jeru, who happily shook everyone’s hand and graciously took pictures. Check Jeru here! He’s so sweet, yall. Especially for such a legend. What it do Jeru! If you don’t know, now you know. 
And speaking of ATL-Iens, Atlanta’s newest rising stars go by the name of Hollyweerd, a four person crew of cool oddities and weerdos. Tuki, one of the members, owns the tattoo shop that Fahamu and I did our photo shoot in (see previous posts), but aside from being a tattoo artist, Tuki and his crew make really, really dope muzak. Sounds like: Cool nerds from outer space with Andre 3000s legacy written all over it.
Check them here: HOLLYWEERD
Not only were there performers in the buildin, but some talented journalists too! I had the pleasure of meeting Ismael AbduSalaam from allhiphop.com as he covered the A3c event, giving the scoop on the latest greatest. He delivers hip-hop news first class! Check his A3C Coverage here
I also got a chance to connect with writer Mosi Reeves, who taught me that my brand of art has a name: AGIT-Pop. Agit pop is short for Agitator pop, referring to artists like my fave MIA and even U2 who use their pop star appeal to make music that is socially conscious and politically relevant. I felt relieved in the same way I found out my seafood diet had a name: pescotarian. I felt validated and relieved to have a name! Thanks Mosi! Mosi has his own hip hop site that I recommend you peep. Check it here: www.plugonemag.com
Thats enough Atlanta goodness for now 
I’ll be sure to keep you posted on more happenings from different corners of the country as iLL-Lit and I hopskotch across the East and Midwest!
Love,
Ruby 
