Festival Review: World Underground Festival Shows The Future Is Bright
World UndergroundFestival came and went too quickly, but it brought a magnificent and dangerous truth; there is so much talent in this world. I would recommend ANYONE, especially lovers of Hip Hop, to go to World Underground Fest to see a truth we often ignore, especially if we, ourselves, are trying to be artists. It is not easy to know people share the same dreams and drives as us, but when we see they have their own distinguishable talent, it feels threatening.
At Melrose Ballroom between August 29 and 31, the World Underground Hip Hop Festival felt like an island, to which the greatest, smartest, and most determined minds gathered to say, “We are coming for you world!” The festival was not simply a celebration of Hip Hop’s past and present, but a remark on where it is going in the future. Tens of sets rolled on through the stage; with each artist giving a taste of their work and proving the future of Hip Hop will be returning to old, rap battle styles. Yet, these rising rappers are not battling each other; they are battling society.
Nowadays, you see a division in Hip Hop between those who will speak about what they have versus those that will speak for the “have nots”. After this festival, I say, “Get ready “have-nots” because you are gaining more voices!” With freestyle competitions and alternating sets, the stage became a reality show of sorts, but this time, the contestants were loving and supportive. Everybody cheered everybody, and, thanks to synchronized, hi-def televisions across the space, every artist was actually their own channel; set with their own emblems and images. To flip them on was to see a preview of Hip Hop’s future will grow more spiritual. These rappers are not just reciting their experiences, but are going beyond to create philosophies and theories of wisdom on how to live again. They are “one-upping” Hip Hop’s ideas of survivalism to say, “We as a community deserve to not just survive but live!” They were absolutely awe-inspiring, and even included panels helping artists to analyze the business side of this cultural phenomena. This world has a LOT of good in it, and these rappers are bold enough to be better.
Hip Hop has had many phases because it started as a revolution that, like many ones before it, became an institution. With that transition, the revolutionaries, once promoting a counter society, became the new leaders and taste-makers of their present one. Thus, a world born as a voice-box for the poor and black communities also become a new pillar for the wealthy and privilege; bringing a cinematic feel to images and truths that were really devastating. While no rapper glorifies violence, poverty, and systemic crushes, because music is entertainment, there is a natural glamor and surreality that paints these realities. Yet, the humility that leapt from the artists’ in their freestyles/ sets showed that future Hip Hop’s will go beyond surreal into celestial. Oh, and expect more men and women of color from all communities! From Asian to Arabic, and, of course, my Latinx, World Underground Festival was showing diversity how to do diversity.
To Absolutely EVERYBODY who participated in this event, you deserve crowns and thrones! I am so excited for the future because these persons have decided to be artists in a time when we need them. Moreover, I cannot wait for next year’s World Underground Hip Hop Festival; it truly was a space for the best of the rising. For More Information On World Underground Festival Click Here To Learn About Some Of My Faves!
