This Saturday 12 August 2023, Grand Performances will celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop through the lens of DJ Battlecat & Friends. Giving flowers to our hometown hero, this Westcoast Symphony honors the contributions of a Los Angeles’ legend with opening sets by the future of Gfunk, 2092 Funk Radio Records and more. Co-presented by Fusicology, Elevate Culture & Godspeed Radio.
This family friendly concert is completely free, open to the public and outside!!! Bring your own picnic or bring some cash to support our local small businesses as we bring South LA to DTLA with members of the Leimert Park Merchants Association vending via Elevate Culture’s ‘Start to Scale’ Vendor Village. Come early to enjoy the sunshine and stay late to experience magic under the stars.
Powered by Red Bull with support from Roland Lifestyle and the launch of the new Black owned, hemp based spirit brand, Highway Vodka.
“From the vinyl scratches of the ’80s to today’s beats, LA’s rhythm is the world’s anthem; let’s come together and celebrate the journey. Hip Hop has been the heartbeat of our streets for 50 years. Join me at Grand Performances, DTLA on August 12th as we honor its legacy and shape its future.”
– DJ Battlecat
ABOUT DJ BATTLECAT
Born Kevin Alexander Gilliam the Musician, DJ, Producer, Sound Designer and Engineer developed playing drums and percussions in church with his signature sound came from the early 70’s-90’s G-Funk style, which he characterized by fat synth bass lines and soulful melodic keys over aggressive drums.
DJ Battlecat’s roster consists of multi-platinum artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, the Game, WC, Xzibit, Tha Dogg Pound, E40, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, King T, and Tha Eastsidaz. Battlecat expanded by tapping into R&B, he worked with the Dramatics, Faith Evans, Kenny Lattimore, Tyrese, and Raphael Saadiq, and many more. In church, Battlecat developed playing drums and percussion.
In Cat’s early career the album Bangin On Wax, was developed to bring gangs together promoting a peace treaty and because of this movement, Cat joined with other artists donating music in a benefit album to assist families who have lost loved ones to senseless violence. BC Powda’s dedication was awarded by Maxine Waters and Herb Wesson for his outstanding community activism against gang violence in Los Angeles. In 2020 DJ Battlecat worked with Legendary artists by putting new and up and coming artists together on a single, bringing blue and red to a ONE LOVE Movement, including – Black and Brown.
Cat moved into radio and TV. Cat’s contribution as an original KDAY mix master prepared him for becoming the Program Director for Dr. Dre’s Beats One radio station called “The Pharmacy” on Apple Music. Next, he entered into TV with BET’s 2014 Soul Train Awards with Dougie Fresh and “1500 or Nothin” as the house band. It was such a success, he returned in 2015. Cat was asked by BET LIVE Experience to DJ for Usher so besides the legendary artist, Battlecat landed himself on the Victory Lap album by Nipsey Hussle’s song “REAL BIG” and D-Smoke’s (winner of the TV show Rhythm & Flow) “Sunkissed Child” off the Black Habits album.
Mr. Gilliam is currently involved with a new launch with a production company called Nu Shoez Entertainment and Visionary Music Group. He is also focused on his own career as an Artist and it is there that he will continue the legacy of good music.
INTRODUCING HIGHWAY VODKA TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Highway is a first-of-its-kind vodka distilled with hemp seed. Co-founded by Ben Williams and Wendell Robbins, the Highway Distillery believes vodka should have a distinct character, inviting consumers to experience the natural flavors of the spirit and the grains that produce them. Highway’s unique strain of hemp seed and corn creates a one-of-a-kind product that is cooked up from scratch in Houston, Texas. All hearts. No tails. Handmade for the next Generation of Visionaries.
To Start the program, Thes One (People Under The Stairs) and Crew will present Farewell, My Friend Live – A Tribute to Michael “Double K” Turner.
In a one-time only engagement, Thes One and an all star cast of collaborators perform Farewell, My Friend live – a tone poem of grief, loss and redemption dedicated to partner in People Under The Stairs Michael “Double K” Turner. Featuring a densely layered mosaic of jazz, beats and psychedelia, Thes One’s critically acclaimed instrumental masterpiece celebrates Michael’s life and serves as both a final footnote to their legacy and a love letter to a lost friend.
A very special limited edition album featuring b-sides and outtakes from the “Farewell, My Friend.” sessions will be available to purchase.
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