Summit wrap up 2012
December 10th, 2012 by asia
This year a spark turned into a flame. Hip-Hop got it credentials back. And it all started with me sitting around a BBQ welcome back party at Boogie Franticks with MZK and fam around.
I need a concept for Summit this year. IF im going to do it, I need an inspiration. I looked around me, saw Casper, Smerf and Prada G, Krash, LBoogz..I saw Frantick, Mad Chad, Devious. And I blurted it out of my mouth, What about Pros2Proteges? They were like huh? And I said, “What about a mentor and student? Think about how we all came up under someone’s wing, I mean that’s how we came up anyway..”
They were like that would be DOPE! So there the idea was born, and implementation began on Bboy Summit 2012 Pros2Proteges. Now the Summit is Hip-Hop, complete, so im thinking how do I cross-pollinate Pros2Proteges in the DJ/MC talent showcase that we always have as part of Summit. Then it clicked! Click and Tek the SupaLatin(s), Mellow Man Ace and Cazal, I thought about how people create protégés, sometimes unconsciously, think about Percee P and WildChild (Loot Pack)…It was flowing like liquid now as the Graffiti element parlayed into the piece book.. showcase 2 crews that epitomize the Pros2Proteges concept on the walls..Fame City with Teal and View and West Coast Artist with Trixter, Cre8 and _______.
Cool thing about this year was the ONLY way u could get down in battles (expect footwork contest) was if you entered as mentor/student. And the parameters were pretty broad from jump. I said you qualify if you have been influencial in someone’s dance on a significant level, and that u didn’t have to be currently rockin w em. So applying this to the whole of Hip-Hop, well yeah u can imagine if you weren’t there! If anyone didn’t come and take part in Summit because they didn’t feel they could enter any contests then your wack. Nuff said. I dreamed it all up in my head, I thought..WOW this is one battle I would enter! I really created it for people who don’t get to really enter contest battles, to show the legacy and how Hip-Hop is transmitted through the generations, how styles are born, and how they differentiate.
Manifesting the artistic concept for the year was a bit of a struggle, but I loved it from the Johnny Cupcakes rip off, to the All Patched Up Flyer complete w vest via Alien Ness. A lot of heads told me they didn’t feel it, and I didn’t feel them after that, lol, cuz it was ill!! But some folks were feelin it, and I think the final flyer, though we put it out a bit late, the Denim Pros2Proteges rocked by View was the clencher. We always keep it in the family as far as Summit goes, shoutouts to Dee Tronix for womaning the kids craft table! I felt the support of the entire commUnity strong on this one. It didn’t matter that a million people didn’t show up, cuz then the cops would have come! The people that did bare witness to the 3 different days of Summit, from the preparty Summit King and Kween of the Cipher Club getdown vibe; to BBQ Beats Blackbooks Park Jam that everyone felt was the highlight of the weekend, we channeled that classic park jam Summit energy that has been a part of each year I have done Summit starting in 1995..But I will say that Sunday’s Pros2Proteges event was paramount bar none. It was an honor to be able to offer that to my Hip-Hop family, via the panel which was amazing, to the battles themselves that will be legendary. Hopefully again the seed is reborn to take on protégés, leave a legacy and start one! I really put a lot of time and effort into the Summit this year, and it showed for the most part through the seamless production and being able to accomplish what I set out to on the program as well as a cultural lesson and testimonial to how our culture proliferates. I wasn’t happy with the judging situation on the Bboy/Bgirl Pros2Proteges. But I take responsiblility regardless. We strove not to have any judges from the same crew as contenders but obviously didn’t achieve that. I apologize about that to Casper and Prada G, definitely the realest example of concept Pros2Proteges. But ultimately im not mad that Lil Demon won w Flea. If I judged I would have considered that if it came down to such a close battle. But I didn’t cuz im in the same crew…deerrrr. Okay hemming this whole thing up, some outstanding shining moments in my memory from Summit this year: Friday had the illest DJs that made that party crack! And I loved seeing the young ones, XMOB hosting on the mic, clownin as only they can do! The OG Poppers showcase, Pandora’s performance, Fridays ciphers and cool vibe, The entire day on Saturday starting with the Freestyle dance panel and expo (youtube it, dancing is supreme!) except the footwork contest which was a hot mess, funny, and stressful, with me making up names to remember people (ugly kicks dude), and Kmel playing games with people. Sheesh..classic Summit activity! But props to Shadoe RSC for the win, I feel that was justified. Pros2Proteges on the MIC was mind blowing..I got the utmost respect for Percee P and Wildchild and the way they tore thru it, I would have been busting supreme to this, I do regret this, but im glad everyone got to enjoy it. Props to the cats busting cuz that’s what we are suppose to do, not just sit around watching. The way Click brought it in with the beatbox set the tone supreme, it was going DOWN! Yo really Saturday was just right..to the Graff going down on the walls, to the hoop game and our BBQ booth! Crepes for $3? Now that’s ill! Sunday we were kinda stressed production wise, woke up late and still had the nerve to straighten my hair, and things were tripn up, but once I got the Pros2Proteges Panel started I felt better. The energy was incredibly alive, I mean you didn’t need any red bull or stimulants. Trust. The diversity in who was a part of Pros2Proteges battles was what got me. Watching the new class, BabyBoogaloo, Little Sweets, Lil Demon, Prada G, L Boogz, Anee, and Feenx with cats like Loose Caboose, Flomaster, and House FS…incredible! When hope got dim for me, and I realized we didn’t make what we needed to at the door to break even, a crazy orange bucket hat appeared in the center of the cipher, and EVERYONE put something in. I was awe struck. The love at that moment flowing around the room, was the real universal cipher, nodding in our direction. Im sorry that we could not offer any real prize money, that was DEF not part of the plan. That’s the part that is so frustrating because to not get the basic funding that we need to do the event, and then on top of it, the whole commUnity NOT attending, made it a losing situation. After the past 6+ months of hard work with a small mountain of dept now looming in front of me to the tune of around $12,000 I broke down (in a Thai restaurant on Sunday after Summit) and KICKED ROCKS. I walked down my deserted street in K town at 1am, asking GOD to please be shown a sign, Am I too naïve? Is my trusting nature my problem? Don’t I do good work? I keep it simple though, didn’t ask for money for boob job, and went somewhat dejectedly to sleep. Next morning, Monday, I got an email from a foundation awarding No Easy Props $9000 for our outstanding work with the CommUnity. So it was basically a wash, but at least I wasn’t going to be owing. I know Im not perfect, but Im honest and I live in truth and am blessed because of that, not the other way around. To all the artists involved, production staff, and volunteers (shoutout LAartLab), and community supporters, thank you all for your support and guidance throughout the journey! For all news and video past, present, future www.bboysummit.com. Don’t sleep we will be back!
stitched denium
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