"The party included food trucks parked alongside 9th Street, as well as a stage at the corner of 8th and Washington Streets where DJ LadyRyan emceed. The program included performances by DJ Veyn, Oakland multidisciplinary artist Jen Johns, and Oakland-based hip-hop and jazz collective Sol Development accompanied by Richmond rapper, DJ and producer Mani Draper. LaRussell headlined with the Oakland-based Collab Choir."
"At one point, the rapper pulled $500 out of his pocket and offered $100 of it to anyone in the crowd who could come on stage to rap a song all the way through. A young girl wearing a pink knitted hat and a black jacket from Good Compenny, LaRussell's record label, grabbed the mic from LaRussell and began belting out lyrics from his song "I Got Flavor.""
""I should put spree wheels on the station wagon. I'm from the home of the East Bay dragons, a little up north where I landed baby, I ain't had nothing handed baby," she rapped. "I don't ask for respect, I demand it. Soon as the plane land, I be getting to the chicken, a fellow like me is slim pickings...""
LaRussell posted on Instagram that he would perform at a free block party in Old Oakland, prompting a large turnout. The event was organized by the XQ Institute, an Oakland-based education nonprofit affiliated with the Emerson Collective, and offered free food and music. Food trucks lined 9th Street and a stage stood at 8th and Washington where DJ LadyRyan emceed. Performers included DJ Veyn, Jen Johns, Sol Development with Mani Draper, and LaRussell headlined with the Collab Choir. LaRussell offered cash onstage, pulled $500 from his pocket and promised $100 to anyone who rapped a full song. A young girl accepted, performed LaRussell's "I Got Flavor" lyrics and won the $100 to enthusiastic applause.
Read at The Oaklandside
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