From the Desk of Jeff Pearson of Tactical Tracks:
"After being at A3C for a day, I already felt more connected to hip-hop than I ever had. The inclusive and familial atmosphere that was going on down in Atlanta, everyone joining together under the name of hip-hop, was really powerful and calling to me all day as I plugged along at my nine to five. Throughout the day I got my second, third and fourth winds, and by the time Jenna and I got to the Masquerade—if I had to guess—I was on perhaps my seventh. Once we got there, however, breathing in the beautiful October evening and the hip-hop culture surrounding the event, all the drag of the work day faded away. Every corner of the Masquerade was occupied by hip-hop music, whether it was the DJs spinning in the cool autumn air at the entrance, or the audio equipment set up inside for attendees to learn the craft of beat making. It was incredible to just walk around and take it all in, experiencing all the nuances laid out by the festival, and with every step I felt more connected to hip-hop itself."