7/9/2014 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Rumsey Playfield, East 72nd and 5th Ave, New York
The legendary Beatnuts are a groundbreaking rap group that emerged from Queens, New York in the late 80s and made
hip-hop history with classic collaborations with Biz Markie, Fat Joe and Method Man. The Beatnuts, which includes Ju-Ju (of Dominican descent) and Psycho Les (of Colombian descent), have paved the way for new generations of Latin artists as the only Latin members of the infamous Native Tongues collective. Known for their classic hits “No Escapin This,” “Off The Books,” and “Watch Out Now” (which was later sampled by Jennifer Lopez for her radio hit “Jenny from the Block”), The Beatnuts have earned a stellar reputation for energetic live shows that showcase their diverse talents as
MCs, DJs and producers.
One of the most respected MCs in any language, Ana Tijoux has been winning over fans around the world since her
debut ‘1977’ bubbled up from an underground sensation into mainstream recognition after being featured on the hit TV
show ‘Breaking Bad’ and favorited by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. Ana Tijoux’s new album ‘Vengo’ showcase the nimble
MC over lush, golden-era hip-hop production rooted in traditional Latin instrumentation. Rolling Stone named her
performance at SXSW on of the best concerts of this year’s festival, while the New York Times has called her “South
America’s answer to Lauryn Hill: equally skillful at singing and rapping.” Born in France to Chilean parents in political
exile during Pinochet’s dictatorship, Tijoux moved back to Chile as a teenager and found a home in the emerging hip-hop scene of Santiago. In concert, Tijoux takes the stage with a full band that brings to life the intricate arrangements of the new album, a whirlwind trip through hip-hop, jazz, and funk, spiced with a bit of politics and her great sense of humor that has led audiences around the globe fall in love with her.
Spanish Harlem native, Nathaniel De La Rosa publicly known as Bodega Bamz aka PAPI is taking the New York hip-hop music scene by storm. By infusing his rich Latino roots with his urban lyricism, Bamz has created his own sub genre known as Latin Trap. Born of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, his culture has always played a large role in his
musical inspiration. From Hector Lavoe to Tupac, Bamz has mastered the art of incorporating Caribbean sounds and raw
emotion filled lyrics. His stage name alone is symbolic of his drive and deep connection to his heritage, the name Bodega
comes from the concept of “bodegas” or corner stores being pinnacle aspects to Latino communities, and Bamz is an
acronym for “By Any MeanZ,” which means providing a variety of quality music by any means necessary. Although he is
a fresh face to most listeners, Bamz has been rapping for over a decade. With the help of his younger brother, and
engineer, Obed “Ohla” De La Rosa, Bamz mixtape ‘Strictly 4 My P.A.P.I.Z (Proud and Powerful Individualz)’ created an
instant buzz online. Bodega Bamz has exhibited a great amount of versatility, not only paving the way for other Latinos,
but also earning his way into hip-hop history.
Tony Touch A.K.A Tony Toca, began as a B-Boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 80’s, and has been a
force to be reckoned with ever since. From his legendary mix tapes, to his skills on the 1’s and 2’s, he has become one of
hip-hop’s most recognized DJs and is known in the streets and industry as the real ‘Mix tape King’. This
C.E.O/Artist/Producer recently dropped his 7th commercial release, and over the years has worked with everyone from
Nina Sky to Snoop Dogg, and Tego Calderon to KRS One. Touch is a champion for the Latino community, as well as a
global icon, having toured in over 30 countries.