The San Gabriel Valley has been a hotbed of hip hop since the early 1880’s.
Aight, 1980s, but you get the drift.
The predominately Mexican-American, blue-collar enclave innovated and perpetuated graffiti, dance, DJ and rhyme styles.
Don’t @ me.
Rather, if you @ me, come with some facts.
Till then, take my claims as prima facie true…bc, what other hip hop head is dropping prima facie?
Big Brown Dad chopped it up with Alberto Martinez of Flourish & Prosper about the SGV’s first hip hop festival, Kreations, headlined this year by J-Ro from the Alkoholics.
How hip hop is the San Gabriel Valley?
People don’t appreciate the role the SGV has played in hip hop. The 626 has had alot of Hip Hop events and amazing acts come out of it. One of the most old school B-Boy crews was started right here in the SGV, The Goof Troop Breakers. And when you think of all the talent and underground hip hop being made IN the SGV, there is no denying our place.
What’s Flourish and Prosper?
F$P is a marketing and label services agency. We provide digital and traditional marketing for people like you and I, independent DIY’ers that need an extra helping hand. We help get you noticed and heard.
Tell me about Kreations.
Kreations is the love child of F$PMG and WCK Records. We are WCK Records music distribution partner. We needed a way to connect our music partners with live entertainment opportunities. What better way then to create our own. We don’t just want you to come see a boring ass show by some artists that you may never have heard of. Come to our fest and play some video games, rock the open mic, bring your beats and let people freestly over them. Eat some tacos and get your drink & smoke on. Imagine a big party where everything you wanted to do was right there. Music, Games, Weed, Drink and Food! All set to some dope beats. FORMULA!
Why did you decide to put your energy into making this event happen?
We have a number of vendors and partners coming thorugh. Of course this wouldn;t be possible without F$P and WCK collaborating. but we have a few surprises for all those who are coming.
What makes you hyped about J-Ro from the Alkoholics?
I grew up listening to tha Liks. Me and Chop Lui would be driving home from work evryday or from school and just bump the shit out of them. We followed the careers of all the Likwit Crew members, from Tash, to Barbershop MCs, to Defari. The Likwit Crew was it! We recently had the chance to work with King T and DJ Broadway. We practically in the Likwit crew. LOL JK
Which Flourish and Prosper acts are performing? Any songs we should be checking for?
We got Apakalips and MC Random performing form our camp. MC Random just released his “A Better Way” album and that shit is story telling on another dimension. It’s it’s own universe that requires a comic book and audio book just to fill you in on the story.
Where can we buy tickets and stay connected?
Man, check out the website at kreationsfest.com for tickets and lineups! Also use the code BIGBROWNDAD to buy tickets for 50% off your presale tickets.