Now in its 5th year running, the 10-day Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival smashed up the UK’s London-by-the-sea, music lover’s favorite, Brighton. Rising Styles threw together all sorts of exciting elements and colorful people: artists, dancers, rappers, graffiti artists, filmmakers, photographers, b-boys and b-girls, hip hop lovers and enthusiasts. From breakdance battles to freestyle open mic to a massive all day festival on the beach, there was a lot to get into.

Festivities kicked off on Friday 4th July, with a private view of the 3-dimensional graffiti sculpture exhibition featuring the works of legendary NYC hip hop graffiti artist Mare 139 and UK’s Zeus, on display at the store-front-esque University of Brighton (Grand Parade) art school site - followed by the Rising Styles Festival Launch Party at Positivity at the Loft.

Carlos ‘Mare139′ Rodriguez at work on his 3-d sculpture. Photo from Rising Styles website.

Mare 139 (Carlos Rodriguez), who appeared in the 1982 graffiti documentary “Style Wars”, was commissioned to create a 3D sculpture, which he’s been working on all week in super tough, ultra thin steel.

Carlos is a lovely guy, doesn’t look a day over 29, and when I met him, looked a bit overwhelmed by the jetlag and buzzing crowd who turned up on the night to enjoy the art, hip hop, free wine and of course the chance to meet the legend. Later in the week he gave a talk about his work and process at local film development agency Lighthouse.

Brighton blew up on Sunday 6th July when b-boys and b-girls descended from all over the country for the festival’s annual Battlejam, in association with All Elements, where individuals and crews went head to head. The day started with a screening of “Inside the Circle“, a feature-length documentary about a breakdance crew from South Texas (courtesy of Black Soil from Holland), followed by a day of beatboxing, MCing, druming and rapping battles. There was some insane moves and crazy energy, with heats in popping, locking, crew battles and bonnie and clyde.

On Monday 7th July, there were film screening of “Rappers of Senegal”, “Whole Train”, “Inside the Circle” and shorts. On Tuesday, Brighton’s monthly open mic/decks rap night, Slip Jam B led the freestyle spirit of hip hop. The night was hosted by Hinesy Hines and Richie Cunningham and included special guests Dr Syntax and Ramblers Association (Vecks and Herbie Dragon). This night is a Brighton institution - the place was PACKED with people - it was hot, sticky and sound! On Thursday, there was a slam poetry night Hammer & Tongue, another Brighton institution. The night featured a battle between poets and…you guessed it, rappers!

Friezebox. Photo from Rising Styles website.

All through the week graffiti artists painted the FRIEZEBOX just outside the Brighton Jubilee library. Artists included Snub23, Sinna1 of Grafik Warfare, Sri, MNKY, Pinky, Mishfit and The Osh.

Yesterday (Saturday 12th July) was the hip hop festival finale - the Rising Styles Block Party!!! The forecast was shitty cloudy skies with a splattering of rain, which for summer in England is pretty good going, but by about 3pm the sun was out, people were pissed, and the place was buzzing.

This year’s line up included hiphop acts from the US, all over the UK, plus local talent from the Brighton hip hop scene: Kidz in the Hall (USA), Sway, Emmanual Jal (Sudan), the Infomatics, Blak Twang, Skinnyman, Jehst, Skilf & band, Serocee, Percy Filth, Kosyne, Soweto Kinch, Floriginal, Million Dan, Special School, Dizreali, Longusto, Witchdoctor Wise, Southern Suspects, Koaste, Enlish and loads of special guests. Plus aerial hip hop performances from Bandbazi and live samba from Baruhlio.

All of the artists were on top top form, but the camera crew & I were especially enamored with Million Dan and his crew, who were just totally lovely people & really got people bouncing - and who our photographer called Millionaire Man Dan (nice one Els!). Million Dan, who’s just come out with an album called Spektrum, is most well known for his collaborations with the Freestylers - does “Dogs and Sledges” ring any bells?

Emmanuel Jal was also a total sweetheart. He raps with conviction about the state of Africa and the hell he endured as a child soldier, and off stage was so appreciative to be there with everyone. He’s going on a 15 city tour this autumn, showing his documentary at universities followed by a Q&A. It was great to catch Kidz in the Hall - you could feel the NYC/Chicago ‘more bounce to the ounce’ flavour bursting off the stage.

The only drawback to the day was Blacktwang getting their set cut off half way. The programme ran over (technical difficulties) and the Council said if the power wasn’t cut, people would lose their licenses. Fair enough but - everyone was like “what?” Blaktwang were really cool about it, but I know production crew felt shit. And then, right at the very end, Skinnyman lost his rag with the crew over food and threw over the entire table. That was a major downer, and I sincerely hope he does some major apologies to the main organiser (Indy of Kala Phool) & crew, who all worked their asses off for free to put the festival together.

Yesterday - Sunday 13th July - was the last day. Mare 139 unveiled his commission at 3pm - an intricate graffiti design crafted out of thin steel, with the shit shined out of it and back-lit with invisible lights. The design splintered off into directional arrows, “weaving in and out of the wall” - the sculpture appeared on either side of the wall and to see it properly you had to stand in the doorway.

The crew were recovering from hangovers from the late late hip hop party at a local pub (Full Moon), but otherwise in good spirits. We had our final farewell celebration at Wagamamas followed by drinks at Riki Tiks. I’m tired today, but it was definitely worth the effort to be part of a great celebration of hip hop.

I’ll post a bit more photos and footage shortly, but in the meantime, cut your teeth on these fine UK hip hoptracks, which form the Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival Soundtrack for 2008. They were featured as a free giveaway with the July edition of Hip Hop Connection and pulled together by Rising Styles and DJ Excalibah.

UK HIP HOP!!!!!!!!!! You may not have heard much, it’s a bit more intelligent than the US counterpart, but hip hop is hip hop isn’t it??

Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival Soundtrack for 2008

Blak Twang - ThumbzUp (http://www.blaktwang.net)

Young Kof ft Rukus - Represent (http://www.myspace.com/urbeatzkof)

Sonnyjim - The Next Generation (http://www.myspace.com/sonnyjim01)

Aviation - High & Windy Day (http://www.myspace.com/howsaviation)

Blaktrix - Tektime (http://www.myspace.com/blaktrix)

Koaste - Drop Somethin’ (http://www.myspace.com/koaste)

Jid Sames - Pull Your Socks Up (http://www.myspace.com/jsames)

Gentleman’s Club - Hold Up Your Head (http://www.myspace.com/elementalmrsimmonds)

Diversion Tactics - No Collaborations (http://www.diversiontactics.com)

Chris L - Better Than You (http://www.myspace.com/chrisleese)

Multifinish - Minor Swings (http://www.myspace.com/multifinish)

Lady Lykez - Tryna Get To Da Booth (http://www.myspace.com/ladylykez)

Scizzahaz ft Dr Syntax & Kosyne - Directions (http://www.myspace.com/scizzahz)

Influx - Step One (http://www.influxproduction.co.uk)

The Last Skeptic ft Kashmere - Yin + Yang (http://www.myspace.com/thelastskeptikmusic)

Illustrate - Do What You Like (http://www.headcountrecords.co.uk)

Skrein ft Micall Parknsun & Smife - Poverty’s Paradise (http://www.myspace.com/skrein)