5 E Gallery

SICARI SPEAKS!

#DILLA DAY DETROIT

#HISTORIC, #EPIC, #TRUTH, #UNITY, #DETROIT, #LOVE, #REBIRTH

Okay World…  it’s blog time! In the words of one of Detroit’s Hip-Hop Kings, The theme for this years’ Detroit Dilla Day is “Don’t Nobody Care About Us… All they do is doubt us… Til we blow the Spot!” Salute Phat Kat for prophetic lyricism.

Those words generously sum up the current social-economic Detroit as well as the globally recognized Detroit entertainment culture. In short… that really means “WE” are responsible for celebrating our own and/or even ourselves.

For the first time in Detroit Hip-Hop History our city finally celebrated the life and contributions of James Dewitt Yancey aka J-Dilla monumentally! I am so honored for 5e Gallery’s role in the organization and implementation of both the event at the Fillmore and the following Youth Dilla Day event at the Virgil Carr center. I must say I am blessed to work with a gifted team of phenomenal individuals that were called to organize this years’ Dilla Day Detroit. It was an extraordinary event promoting “Unity” amongst artists, families, and generations of Hip-Hop heads.

Unity begins with one… meaning get yourself together before trying to help others, or even better… Know Thyself! I can’t stress how relevant that simple statement is in life. When organizing an event of this magnitude it’s very important for each individual to be honest and transparent with his or her intentions, expectations and abilities. You Must be able to Trust your team. We knew this road would be one of bumps, bruises, scrapes, burns, scraps and wars, but we also new the purpose and the importance of preserving the Legacy is greater than all of us put together. We honestly put down all egos and got to work.

The 3^rd Dilla Day Detroit event (the first two previous events being held at 5e Gallery) in Detroit’s history will be archived as the day we, as Detroiters, stood together as a community and celebrated our heroes! That is so powerful. We showed the world that we didn’t need anyone outside of our city to validate “US” on all levels. We pulled this event off without sponsorship (with No Money)! Our teammates met with countless wealthy individuals and companies that will remain nameless from all walks of commerce (music industry to urban economic development) and each of them were turned off once we stated that the legacy is priceless and is not for sale. It will stay in Dilla’s family forever to benefit his Great Grandchildren’s Great Grandchildren! Because of that stance and our integrity, the event at that point became a total grassroots Detroit community movement.

Dilla Day Detroit also proved to the world that Detroit can and will unite under a righteous cause. 5e Gallery being involved, in the trenches every step of the way doing what we call in-house “the work” makes us very proud of Dilla Day Detroit’s success and what it means for our city.

What people fail to realize is “Dilla has already done “the work” globally!” Everywhere I go outside of the U.S. or even places in the states like Cali, Albuquerque, Hawaii where ever… They hail J Dilla’s production as the epitome of Hip-Hop music. In Japan, when I asked anyone what genre of music fans liked, they didn’t even name a genre they all said J Dilla or Detroit Hip-Hop; standing as its’ own genre. Because of J Dilla’s creative achievements, Detroit Hip-Hop is a recognized type of Hip-Hop that stands alone around the globe. He truly is the greatest to ever do it! (No BS…Foreal!)

I see the value of Detroit art, creativity and musicianship very similar to the diamond of South Africa, the people who truly own it didn’t recognize it’s value until it’s taken from them by someone else.”  But unlike the diamond, “WE” got our globally recognized shine back before it was too late… and we did with the monumentally  successful 3^rd annual Dilla Day Detroit!

Now, we as a community carry the responsibilities of preserving, protecting and righteously stewarding it’s future.  Like I said earlier, This Legacy is Priceless and I love 5e gallery’s role in the unification of Detroit through a much-needed “Rebirthing” process.

Next entry I’ll speak on this from the DJ perspective and breakdown that experience… #MONUMENTAL

In a minute y’all! One Love Detroit!

To be Continued…

The Foundation All Stars Opening for this Year’s Hip Hop Congress Midwest Summit 2012: February 3-4 w/ Big K.R.I.T., The Narcicyst, OneBeLo

Hip Hop Congress has announced the lineup for its Eighth Annual Midwest Summit, an internationally recognized event dedicated to connecting Hip Hop culture to youth education and empowerment. To be held at University of Michigan – Ann Arbor on February 3rd and 4th, the event is partnered with Detroit’s 5e Gallery, along with a number of other educational programs designed to help advance Hip Hop as a powerful global culture.

A star-studded lineup will be featured at the concert on Friday, February 3, including Big K.R.I.T., The Narcicyst, Maimouna Youssef, OneBeLo, Tree City, The Foundation All-Stars and dj lajedi. The following day will feature panel discussions, artist workshops and a special presentation by the Black History 101 Mobile Museum.

Other event sponsors include University of Michigan’s Center for Educational Outreach; the Office of Multicultural Academic Initiative’s Gear UP!; the Neutral Zone teen youth center in Ann Arbor; and the Rising Scholars program in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Hip Hop Congress is an international organization of community activists and Hip Hop culture creators, providing tools and resources for local chapters to be able to connect with a global network of groups and individuals. Hip Hop Congress is a 501(c)3 Non Profit Corporation with over 30 different chapters across the United States and overseas.

This year’s Midwest Summit will focus on the goals of connecting Hip Hop culture participants with the issues of youth empowerment, education, social justice and community action. Representatives from throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, California, New York, Canada and more will be in attendance.

The presence of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum will help the Midwest Summit tie into the educational goals of U of M’s celebration of Black History Month throughout February. With a focus on the historical elements of Black culture, the museum has become a national treasure through its tours to universities, community centers and places of worship, bringing a unique view of history to the people.

In 2011, Big K.R.I.T. became an international breakout star, receiving countless year-end accolades for both his solo and collaborative work. OneBeLo is regularly cited as one of Michigan’s greatest independent emcees, and his latest release L.A.B.O.R. has been hailed by the critics as a top album of the past year.

The Narcicyst is an internationally celebrated emcee and intellectual, noted for his university appearances and his acclaimed appearance on the pivotal song “#Jan25″, which became an anthem of the Arab Spring. Grammy-nominated singer Maimouna Youssef is currently supporting her debut album The Blooming, a soulful exploration of rhythm and melody that has been beautifully received by critics.

Dj lajedi is a member of 5e Gallery’s The Foundation, celebrating women in Hip Hop, and is a breakout artist to watch in 2012 with an upcoming international mixtape featuring all female artists. She is also the deejay for OneBeLo and The Foundation All Stars, a collective of Detroit-based women hip hop artists that came together through 5e Gallery’s weekly Tuesday event The Foundation.

For more information, visitwww.hhcmidwest.com.

Posted by Common Breath

 

We are continuing our Fundraising efforts towards renovating Our New Space.

$50 FOR 5e: DETROIT HIP-HOP VENUE 5e GALLERY LAUNCHES UNIQUE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CAMPAIGN

Over 50 Members Of Detroit‘s Urban Music Community Featured

In Another Star-Studded Music Marathon To Mark A Grand Opening And New Beginnings….

$50 for 5e is a unique presale, developed in collaboration with Detroit Hip-Hop artist Invincible’sEMERGENCE Media, which will allow 5e supporters to

pre-purchase ticket packets that include 10 event admissions and 5 drink tickets for the low cost of $50. These tickets are for use at our new venue location.

5e Galleryis the first Hip-Hop cultural venue of its kind to offer ongoing pre-sale tickets and the community investment ethic doesn’t end at ticket entries. 5e Gallery coordinators Sicari Ware andPiper Carter plan to build in input and involvement options to insure programming will meet the needs of 5e‘s community members. As Ware says, “It’s important to involve community in every step of the process. The venue should have a relationship with both the surrounding neighborhood of Corktown, as well as the Detroit artistic community which it serves. This approach allows for involvement in the development stages so that those communities can help shape the vision of 5e moving forward.”

5e also aims to expand their work to focus on healthy living when they move into their new location. This will be embodied by new services such as a raw juice bar and backyard garden, which will provide some of the vegetables for the juice bar.

The May 15th launch event was the first time ticket packets were available and all purchasers received free entry to the 12 hour music festival. Patrons who could not afford the $50 packet were asked to donate $5 for 5e, in the spirit of the Gallery’s existing online 5eGallery.org donation drive. Amongst the 50 artists performing at the event were T3 (of Slum Village), Miz Korona, jessica Care moore, John Arnold and Invincible. The new 5e Gallery is located at 2661 Michigan Ave in Detroit.

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If you’d like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with Sicari Wareand/or Piper Carter, please call Hubert Sawyers III at 313-802-4075 or e-mail Hubert at hubert@sorsaw.com

Below is a copy of the Article we sent to Time Magazine about The Campaign.

Thank You, We Appreciate You!

If you are interested in donating to our current campaign or learning

more about our current needs, programs and events, you can find more

information or make donations through PayPal online at:

www.5egallery.org.