Just 6 months ago, Phife Dawg and Jarobi - of A Tribe Called Quest - surprised everyone (including me) on De La Soul Day, which featured performances from De La Soul, Rakim, Talib Kweli, Pete Rock, Soulection, Jungle Brothers, Tha Alkaholiks and more! It took place on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday.... on the main stage of the Festival Grounds. It was an amazing experience, and a night I won't ever forget. For anyone who was there, they'll tell you that the atmosphere was something truly special.
However, it wasn't until a week or so ago, when we heard the awful news that Phife had passed, that we understood just how special De La Soul Day really was. In retrospect, we were witnessing one of the last performances by a hip-hop icon and pioneer. Phife's music has influenced so many artists, and touched so many people, it's tough to really quantify his impact on hip-hop. The response his passing was invoked by so many people, not just hip-hop heads, speaks volumes. People from across the world have been sharing their stories and honoring his legacy in their own way, some in very unique ways.
Today, I woke up to a new Phife Dawg music video "Nutshell" and realized that many of the drops in the intro and the freestyle at the end of the video were shot at 2015 A3C Festival & Conference.
We didn't realize or know that Phife was in pain, or sick, during A3C, but it is very comforting knowing that Phife had fun and enjoyed the experience. He was able to connect with his peers, rock the stage and shoot for his video. That's a BIG part of what we try and do for artists. Knowing that we are able to provide a welcoming place for legends like Phife Dawg to come and kick it, means the world.
Though he is no longer with us physically, his impact will live on forever.
"A3C festival, I'm glad people coming out to something real, something authentic. Hopefully the A3C can get bigger, and bigger, and bigger as it goes on." - Phife Dawg
2015 A3C Festival & Conference
