People + Parks

City Parks Foundation is excited to announce the winner of the summer’s MC Contest: Final Outlaw!

To listen to the winning submission, click here.

Final Outlaw is an American born recording artist raised mostly in New York City. During his childhood he spent some time moving around the east coast due to poverty/personal issues, but now resides in Queens, NY. Exploring street life as a teen, he discovered the joys of freestylin’ and battling among friends throughout Washington Heights, Harlem and Dyckman in Manhattan.

“He goes in, rapping and speaking on life with the kind of passion and conviction that can only come from the spirit of someone who’s actually lived what he writes.” ~ Loud.com

He is popularly known as a promising and young unsigned Hip Hop artist. He’s a rapidly rising phenomenon, quickly becoming one of the most respected artists on the underground/independent scene. He is renowned for his versatile and shockingly personal performance style. Many of his supporters consider him a pioneer in the resurrection and evolution of the Hip Hop culture.

Recently, he has been performing at venues around the city such as S.o.B’s, Joe’s Pub, The Bowery Poetry Club, Nuyorican Poetry Café, and, before closing, The Knitting Factory and CBGB Lounge, and, to name a few.

His promo single “Hip Hop 4ever” (Hip Hop Forever) is also earning notoriety and respect, winning him an award for “strongest song” at NYC’s longest running Hip Hop open mic (EOdub) and climbing to number 1 on Goldmic.com.

Currently he is recording a new project titled “Unstoppable Love” set for this summer. FinaL OutlaW has collaborated with KRS One recently for the new “Stop the Violence” fundraiser album, which is yet to be released.

Come support Final OutlaW, who will be opening for the iconic Naughty By Nature tomorrow Wednesday, August 19 at 7PM at Mahoney Playground in Staten Island.

I was on my way to St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx last weekend, a bit tired and with an ice coffee in hand, ready for the performance Dancing in the Streets: Hip Hop Generation Next Generation Next. The heat was sweltering as I trudged down St. Mary’s Street, but as I came around the corner I was suddenly refreshed by the sight of dancers warming up before the show. I couldn’t take my eyes off them, with their bold movements despite the heat.

In the hour before the show started, instructor Brandon “Peace” Albright lead the crowd in a dance lesson, hopping around, trying out new moves and keeping the energy high. Kids from the audience got up on stage to dance with the performers, getting the rest of us excited for the performance!

Hip Hop Generation Next hosted by Rokafella opened up the show. The first performers were Le Soul Afrique, who fused east-coast hip-hop with Afrobeat-inspired world grooves. Then the two Korean sisters of Misnomer(S) broke out a unique mix of hip hop MCing and a violin hooked up to an amp. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Following Generation Next was Adesola Osakalumi & Friends, who threw down some incredible breakdancing moves – without losing their hats! Plus, there was a Michael Jackson impersonator, who honored the King of Pop with his Moon Walk.

The next hour of dance was devoted to Illstyle & Peace Productions, a multicultural, mixed-gender dance company whose work focuses on the movement and spirit of old school hip-hop with a variety of performance disciplines. The constant funky moves, house music and Hip Hop beats from the DJ brought people to their feet to dance along. Not to mention their distinctive style: white masks, black & white striped knee-high socks, and rolled-up sleeves and pant legs.

At the end, all artists got up on stage to dance together and celebrate free dance programs in NYC.

Don’t miss the last CityParks Dance summer weekend in Von King Park, Brooklyn on Saturday, August 22 with nathantrice/RITUALS dance company, and DanceWave Kids Company; and Cecilia Marta Dance Co. and Raise Him Up Praise Dance Ministry on August 23. Free Master Classes start at 4PM and shows starts at 5PM.

– Text by Johanna Langhof