International hip hop acts coming to Singapore in Aug and Sep

Hip hop heads are in for a treat this month and September.

On Saturday, Aug 22, Asia's hip hop and soul festival, Summerdaze, will be on from 4pm at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel in Sentosa.

The line-up sees old school favourites Fat Joe, Arrested Development and Slum Village take to the stage in Singapore.

For those who need a little reminder, Fat Joe is a Spanish rapper from the Bronx, in New York, whose 2001's 'What's Luv' was the most played single in Atlantic Record's history, performed alongside R&B's (then) new queen, Ashanti.

Being the first-ever hip hop group to the win the Grammy's coveted Best New Artist award in 1992, Arrested Development's lyrics of hope and truth made their music unique in the hip hop world of gangsters and swearing. Their hit songs include 'Mr Wendal' and 'People Everday'.

Detroit's underground scene was forever changed with the talent of Slum Village. Founded in the early 90s by three childhood friends, their classic record, 'Fantastic, Vol. 2' was not officially released until 2000 through Barak Records.

The album featured an A-list line-up including Busta Rhymes, Common, D'angelo, Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, Kurupt, and Q-Tip. Two of their founding members - J Dilla and Baatin - have since passed on but their influences still remain till today.

Also in the festival that runs till 12am are legendary world champion Triple Threat DJs consisting of Apollo, Shortkut and Vinroc who will show off their skills with MC Fran Boogie, who are all San Francisco-based.

Australia's N'Fa Jones will be taking over the microphone with more entertainment from Singapore's very own Shellsuit from Pushin'On and Matteblacc made up of DJs Drem and Jnr Tirso - who are also the organisers of this festival.

Limited $92 pre-sale tickets are still available as well as $57 student promotion tickets. Door sales go for $140. Find out more about ticket packages here.

If that's not enough, household name in the Los Angeles scene, turntablist J Rocc is coming to town on Friday, Aug 28 at Gem Bar in Ann Siang Hill.

J Rocc founded Beat Junkies - same group that the Triple Threat DJs are part of - in 1992 and also became an addition to Madlib and J Dilla - Slum Village founder - at live events.

The event will be supported by DJ Drem of Matteblacc and RAH of Darker Than Wax. Entry is $30 with one drink. For priority entry, get your tickets here.

One more hip hop feast to indulge in happens in September.

French hip hop group IAM will perform at the Kallang Theatre on Saturday, Sep 12 from 8pm.

Formed in the late 1980s in Marseille and led by Akhenaton, IAM put hip hop at the forefront of French music along with MC Solaar and NTM.

Tickets are at $90 and $110 with group promotions. Find out more about them here.

Now let's get bopping!

spanaech@sph.com.sg