The connection between hip-hop, social justice, and the spoken phrase was on distinguished show on the New Jersey Performing Arts Middle on Nov. 20 as poets, MC’s and followers gathered within the Victoria Theater for “Symbolize!,” a night that celebrated the intersections of those mediums. The present, hosted by singer and radio character Miss Jones, featured performances by Chuck D of Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Rakim, the Nuyorican Slam Workforce and extra.
“La Bruja” Caridad De La Luz set the stage for the evening, representing the Nuyorican Poets Café and opening the night with a studying that felt musical — melodic even, earlier than introducing three poets from the café’s slam crew: Brittany Barker, Sola Kush, and Jesica “Sumbodies Mama” Blandon. Every poet delivered a studying in their very own distinctive voice, elevating questions on womanhood and the Black expertise. Raina Simone continued to discover these topics by means of her music, delivering a set that highlighted topics like wealth disparity, race relations, and the dynamics of rising up in an city neighborhood. Tyehimba Jess, a Pulitzer Prize profitable creator, lent his voice to the dialogue with a studying of his poem “One Black Man’s Prayer for Peace.”
The viewers took within the weight and gravity of the performances, illustrating of their approval crammed applause how artwork can be utilized as a mirror, to manage, and as an escape — the connection between the viewers and the performers grew nearer. Rakim took to the stage quickly after, because the viewers rose to their toes, actually shifting the ground as they danced and sang alongside to the music. On the conclusion on Rakim’s set, Chuck D and Slick Rick joined the rapper onstage to snap an image collectively, hugging and smiling as three hip-hop legends greeted one another in entrance of an awe-struck viewers. Slick Rick was then joined onstage by his spouse Mandy Aragones and Newark mayor and poet Ras Baraka for a dialogue on Slick Rick’s newest album and movie, “Victory,” earlier than exhibiting clips of the titular work. Rick then carried out picks from a few of his most well-known hits together with “Kids’s Story,” and “La-Di-Da-Di,” which turned 40 this yr. Chuck D was accompanied by a reside drummer and particular company together with MC Half Pint of the group, Son of Bazerk. Chuck took a second to precise appreciation for all of the company, referring to Rakim and Slick Rick as “mentors and academics,” amidst a set of classics songs like “Carry the Noise” and “Don’t Imagine the Hype.” The powerhouse artist who has lengthy used hip-hop as a platform to boost questions on social points capped off the night with a efficiency of “Combat the Energy,” summarizing the sentiment of the occasion in a single final highly effective “hurrah,” earlier than attendees have been invited to a dance get together within the foyer.
You may keep updated with upcoming NJPAC performances at www.njpac.org
