How Philly's Hip Hop in the Park became a tour de force
Why it matters: As Philly struggles to retain marquee hip-hop shows, an event that started as a benefit concert for Puerto Rico following the devastating hurricane in 2017 has grown into a local tour de force.
Driving the news: This Saturday marks five years for Hip Hop in the Park, a milestone celebration headlined by DJs Rich Medina and Cosmo Baker expected to draw about 15,000 people to Eakins Oval.
This year's festival lineup — incorporating all four elements of hip-hop (MC-ing, DJ-ing, break dancing and graffiti) — is DJ-heavy, with someone new spinning every half-hour.
It also includes appearances from Philly underground rap legend The Last Emperor and the Juice Crew's Craig G.
The intrigue: Now that the future of Jay-Z's Made in America festival remains in limbo, these free, community-focused events take on elevated importance, Rodriguez tells Axios.
Hip Hop in the Park is a truly Philly affair, with talented graffiti artists once again live painting on a box truck donated by Human Robot Brewery, which is releasing a special-edition lager for the event.
Herr's — the local potato heads known for concocting quirky new flavors — is giving away thousands of bags of chips.
Zoom in: The festival has grown from humble roots, with no budget or backers when it started as a 2018 fundraiser at a small North Philly park with about 200 attendees.
But Rodriguez had proof of his concept. In 2021, he had a small budget, and German-based streetwear and sneaker giant Snipes (its domestic headquarters are in Philly) agreed to sponsor the show, which was moved to the Oval. It's grown there ever since.
Now the fête boasts 20 loyal sponsors and a $50,000 spending plan.
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