To start with the weather was immense. When you come from the UK your use to temperamental temperatures even in the summer. I was literally in sunshine heaven for the 6 days I was in Croatia, it was simply perfect weather 30c and above mixing with the hottest DJs and Hip Hop Artists!
Zrce Beach was the destination
Although Hip Hop is the main focus with acts such as JoeyBada$$, Action Bronson & Pusher T headlining the festival. Grime took a portion of the lime light with JME, Stormzy & Big Narstie making appearances at the festival.
Wednesday July 15th 2015
Hip Hop Culture took over Zrce Beach it’s incredible how an art form created in the streets of New York has penetrated Europe.
Generations and PartyKybl kicked off the pool parties with fresh faced flavour and excitement. Faded DJ’s and Melody Kane gave those lucky enough to grab tickets for the boat party an extraordinary party on Sea.
Danny Brown gave us a glimpse of why he’s so highly rated with energy levels footballer Luis Saurez would be proud, not to mention his engaging story telling rhyme style.
Joey Bada$$ the Bed-Stuy boy stalked the stage and delivered like a seasoned performer. He really is hip hop and his appetite to bless the microphone was delightful. In this time of throw away music he showed hip hop has a great future in his hands.
When he dropped waves off his Mixtape ‘1999’ it was one of those epic moments why festival were created.
Thursday 16th 2015
The day was dominated by the most jump up in your face pool parties which really did have people going in!! It was a female take over as DJ Miss Candy & Melody Kane had the crowd rocking in Papaya and eagerly anticipating their next tracks.
Aquarius was graced by Germanys hip hop big hitters Haftbefehl these guys are just straight up wild.
Move on to the evening and Tim Westwood did not disappoint in the Trace Urban Stage the man has moved way beyond DJ status to a comical entertainer who had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Spouting out one liners at will followed up by banger after banger.
Gwinnett County, Georgia boys Migos dropped their well-seasoned trap music to an eager crowd with a twerk battle thrown in for good measure. The men amongst the crowd applauded with careless abandonment.
Evidence from rap group Dialated Peoples was at his most poetic embracing his audience with that personal touch only he could accomplish. He made you feel a part of his rhymes which is an art in itself.
Action Bronson got the crowd beyond hype as he brought out Joey Bada$$, Static Selectah, Danny Brown and Just Blaze out during his set. That was just the start as he decided to leave the stage and enter the crowd in the middle of another rabble rousing track. Queue the pandemonium and sheer disbelief as he became a part of the crowd. The love was palpable as he went from one end of the arena to another immersing himself amongst the people who came to see him perform. It was the most exciting performance I’ve seen in a long time.
Statik Selektah, Just Blaze, Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson & Danny Brown @ Fresh Island 2015
Mega DJ producers Just Blaze & Static Selectah ripped up the main stages at Papaya and Aquarius respectively with their authentic deep rooted hip hop roots. These fellas just know to throw it down and grab the masses with the sound.
Friday 17th 2015
The grime take over was the most anticipated dish as of the day. The starter was served in the form Capital XTRA’s pool party at Papaya. Noisey got to work at Kalypso with the grime takeover, Big Narstie came into his own with Grime Karaoke that got folk into the spirit of things nicely.
This was the night of grime as JME who stepped in for his brother Skepta who was unable to make it due to last minute circumstances. He came with fire of last minute super sub to deliver high levels of his latest album ‘Intergrity’. He gave us the spirit of Skepta with his own rendition of ‘Shutdown ‘& ‘That’s Not Me’.
Arguably the current star of the Grime Scene ‘Stormzy’ had the crowd anticipating and almost transfixed as he licked down verses in that gravely don’t F with me way. The man is a force of nature and exudes unshakable belief of a real star. It was a joy to watch this man do his thing in such a fashion. The Kalypso crowd could only bow down to his outstanding talent as he went beyond expectations to really deliver.
Pusher T, kicked some big joints off King Push & My Name Is My Name getting the crowd effortlessly singing along. Making up for not making it last year with real gusto and bravado. Showing why he’s been a prominent part of the culture for over 10 years.
I must mention the Shorebitch collective who really through down the gauntlet in terms of setting off a party. These guys are destined to be around for some time as they just now how to get down.
Editor: Age Da Mc
