Block Party

Even though the hip-hop culture can have it's serious side dealing with racism and oppression, it still makes music that can't help but make you want to dance and jump all around. Thankfully the DJ's in the 1970's knew this (of course they did) and created a fabulous little thing called a Block Party.

The first Block Party was deejayed by DJ Kool Herc (video "Let Me Clear My Throat") for his sister's birthday on 1520 Sedgwick Ave in 1973. What is usually needed for these parties is a DJ to spin those beats (duh), a space to hold the party, and of course people. There usually is not a specific reason to have a block party besides just celebrating and having a good time including eating, dancing, singing, and rapping. Usually streets and whole blocks within a city are marked off or closed to accommodated all of the people attending these parties.

The block party has transformed over the past 40 years into movies and family time. For example in 2005 Dave Chappelle made a documentary called Dave Chappelle's Block Party. He held the party in Brooklyn and brought together numerous artists together to perform such as Kayne West, Mos Def, and the Fugees. He did this to bring together the citizens of Brooklyn to enjoy a once in a lifetime free block party with music, comedy, history, and community.

Lastly, I have been to a block party on my own block. The annual James Street Block Party is quite a sight. We block off the whole street and fill it with food, music, and yes bouncy jumpy things. It's a great way to bring together all of families of James St. to have some fun.