Giant Hip Hop Celebration Comes to Portland's Pioneer Square Friday

PHOTO: The Resistance: See video below

A giant Hip Hop celebration is set to take over Pioneer Square in Portland from noon to 9 p.m. this Friday, June 20, followed by an after-party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Star Theater at 13 N.W. 6th Avenue.

Stories from the Street will include performances from some of Portland’s most innovative MCs and DJs, as well as breakdancing, freestyle battles, and graffiti artists who will create a wall mural at the site. A crew of local food vendors will keep the hip hop faithful fed.

Underground Hip Hop pioneer LuckyIam of Living Legends is one of the biggest names on the playbill along with local favorites The Resistance, Mic Crenshaw,   Th3ory Hazit and Tope. The after-party includes performances from Young Mil, Think Tanx, C3, Scarub of Living Legends & C Rayz Walz. Break dance crews include: Ripcity Kingz, Zulu Nation and Portland City Rockers.

The event aims to raise funds for homeless youth and to spread the message that Hip Hop can be a force for good in our communities, said organizer Talilo Marfil, who works at the nonprofit New Avenues for Youth.

 Photo: LuckIam of Living Legends

LuckyIam is doing the gig for free because it is a benefit. 

“I have a lot of respect for him for donating his time,” Marfil said. “Everyone knows him. He is a legend in the underground community.”

A recovery and transitions advisor, Marfil says he has seen first-hand the positive effects of the genre. 

Three performers: Hafa, Mars Barz, and A.R.C. have honed their skills through New Avenues’ Artist Mentorship Program. It’s a huge step to go from sleeping in a van and being homeless to telling your stories as performers at a large event, Marfil says.

“Through this event the public will get to hear from youth about some of the things they go through on the streets.”

Marfil says he came up with the idea after attending a show earlier this year at the—now shuttered— Blue Monk.

Police and Fire officials descended on the venue, saying it was overcrowded. As a result the show was closed down. It was just one of a number of closures that many rappers perceived as targeting the Hip Hop community.

“That made me mad,” Marfil says. “We weren’t doing anything. There was nothing going on. We felt they were overreacting."

Marfil and co-organizer Erin Miller decided to create their own public event and make sure it showcased the artistry, and honesty that defines Hip Hop’s enduring appeal. 

“What better way to make a statement than to take it to the heart of our city,” he says. “We can celebrate Hip Hop culture and show that Hip Hop can be used in a positive way.”

New Avenues for Youth helps youth without resources get on their feet through its youth programs including the Artist Mentorship Program. 

Weather forecast for Friday? Cloudy but, probably, dry.

Raffles, donors, after-party ticket sales and vendor fees will help cover costs. And yes, the event is still accepting volunteers and sponsors.

Volunteers will get a free Stories from the Street t-shirt and a free pass to the after party. Find out more on the Stories from the Streets website 

Stories from the Streets:  Schedule

Noon: Sign up for the 4 bar freestyle and solo break dancing battles.  

DJ Pharo  

12pm-12:10pm : Soul Minor spokesperson for hip hop/graffiti wall starts
12:15pm-12:20pm: Event introduction by Erin Miller

12:20-12:30: Dj Spins
12:30-1245: Mic Crenshaw speaks for Kboo
12:45-1pm: Ray Ray
1pm-1:10pm: Spoken word performances Blaq Butterfly, Erin Miller

1:15pm-2pm: Performance by New Avenues: AMP, Louchie Vega, Jbo and Taryn

2:10pm-2:40pm: 4 crew break dancing battle
2:40pm-2:50pm: Teressa Raiford speaks

DJ Papercuts

2:55-3:40pm::Landon wordwell /Subconscious Culture and Theory Hazit
3:40pm-4:00pm: Spokesperson for Hip Hop Jesse Sponberg/ Karanja crews

4:00pm-4:30pm: 4 bar freestyle over local artist’s beats – Tyrone Hiner
435pm- 5:05pm: Soul Minor, Kinectic Mcs

5:10-5:35pm: Open breakdance competition

DJ Andy Stacks:

5:40pm-6:40pm: Ancient Sol, Tope, Bingx

6:45pm-7:15pm: Scratch-Off where Two DJ’s Show Case

7:15pm-7:55pm: The Resistance/Mic Crenshaw
8pm-9pm: LuckIam of Living legends

After -Party at the Star Theater: $10 pre sale/ $15 at the door
9 pm Doors open

9:45-10:00pm: Young Mil
10:10pm-10:30pm: Think Tanx
10:45pm-11:15pm: Adam Amine Daniel
1120pm-1150am: C3
12am-1am: Born Cosmic
1am-2am: Scarub of Living Legends & C Rayz Walz