In the year 2016 there’s a lot of people out there who would tell you Hip Hop is currently in a very strange place. This Labor Day weekend, 20,000 people who pay no mind to that statement gathered together in the streets of West Oakland to celebrate the 5th installment of Heiro Day & give praise to what Hip Hop really is.
30+ artists rocked 3 different stages spread throughout Chestnut Street, from budding young up-and-comers to OG legends. It's safe to say, for lack of a better sentiment, the event was beyond lit.
Hosting the main stage we had Bay Area icons and influencers Chuy Gomez & Davey D giving out telling introductions for all the luminaries that rocked the mic.
Sahtyre set the bar high early on in the day with a necessary energy level & spirited presence to get the crowd prepared for the long battle with the heat that lie ahead.
Fellow Los Angeles native Murs put it down for our city in a way that only he can.
The Grouch mixed things up a bit by brining out his daughter to spit her "ABC’s”. Start ‘em off young!
Despite getting their set cut short due to someone falling through a skylight in the neighboring building, Dilated Peoples wrapped up the Third Eye stage with "Worst Comes To Worst”.
Rare capture of Dj.Fresh backstage.
Just Blaze did what the man does so well & got the crowd going wild playing some of his most golden hits. Freestyle mastermind Supernatural came out to spit a few bars & blow some people’s minds with his seemingly impossible freestyling abilities.
Too $hort. What more needs to be said? He's carried Oakland on his back since before most of the attendees were born. Prime example of what legends are made of.
Both side stages wrapped before the masterminds behind the whole day took to the main stage. Hieroglyphics. A crew that has not only had an influence on music & culture but continues to put on for their city. Phesto, A-Plus, DJ Toure, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Tajai, Opio, Casual, Domino & Pep Love kept the crowd's hands lifted and the eyes bright. We look forward to Hiero Day VI.
Shout out to Farid and Tim House of The Plug for the hospitality.
Photos & Story by Adam Stanzak of Drastic
Video cut by Farid
