We’re currently living in a time in Boston where there seems to be fewer dance parties, of any genre, but many of the long-standing nights are still going strong more than a decade into the game. Parties like soul night Soulelujah, new wave party Heroes, and drum n’ bass haven Elements have all blasted past the 10-year mark without slowing down, and now downtown hip-hop throwdown Fresh Produce marks their own decade of parties at Good Life this summer.
Fresh Produce just announced that their 10th anniversary bash goes down July 30 at Good Life, and in addition to DJ sets from their battle-tested residents (Knife, Tommee, and the Bladerunners), they’re bringing in some legends of hip-hop: Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito. Last fall, the duo were featured in a new documentary titled Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives, which chronicled their New York radio show of the early ’90s, a program that introduced the world to the likes of Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang, and Jay-Z, and others. Watch the trailer for it below.
Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives from Saboteur Media on Vimeo.
Now a monthly staple, co-hosted by local websites Underground Hip-Hop and NE Hip-Hop and going down the last Saturday of each month at Good Life, the first Fresh Produce party was held on July 29, 2006. The guest was Connecticut underground legend Dooley-O, and there was a line around the block to get in. “I think the response took us all by surprise”, says founding member DJ Tommee in a press release. “But the moment that I knew we had something special was seeing Peter [Fiumara, Good Life owner] geek out when I played DITC’s ‘Day One’. To have a club owner that was into the same stuff we were, I knew this was going to stay.”
Over the years, the likes of Grandmaster Flash and Pete Rock, as well as countless other touring a local DJs and turntablist champions have spun the party, which caters to a mixture of new and old hip hop, trap, reggae, and party jams, with an emphasis on turntablism-style scratching and professional mixing.
Here’s what founding member Jeremy Sullivan, of Underground Hip-Hop, has to say: “My favorite part about Fresh Produce over the years has been the house party atmosphere where artists, fans and staff could stand shoulder to shoulder. When people feel comfortable enough to let down their guard that’s when the fun happens. The guest DJs picked up on this vibe which many times led to late night antics… I’ve had a blast ‘working’ on this night with [DJ Knife] and Peter at Good Life and as long as we’re still having fun, Fresh Produce will continue to bring unique guest DJs to party with.”
Get more info via the Facebook event page.
