Taking place in Betsy Head Park for yet another year, deep in the heart of Brownsville stood the annual Duck Down BBQ – an event that’s geared towards being a celebration of the neighborhood, with the Boot Camp Clik, a supergroup featuring hip hop heavyweights Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot, O.G.C., and Heltah Skeltah. Always coming out in full effect for their neighborhood, Sean Price of Heltah Skeltah pointed out the housing project he grew up in from the stage, and every other performer talked about life in Brownsville (shouting out people in the crowd that they knew). There wasn’t much of a line between the rappers and the audience, with Buckshot launching himself into the 2000+ person crowd while fans rushed the barricade as they shouted back lyrics.

The night was a mix of the old school and new school, with the hardcore legends of the Boot Camp Clik being joined by up-and-comers from the Beast Coast movement. CJ Fly of Pro Era had a tight set and was joined by the very popular Joey Bada$$, during the call and response “do it for the love” of “Loco Motives.” Raz Fresco, another 19-year-old from Toronto, showed the Beast Coast’s stylistic northern reach, hearkening back to the boom bap slaughter of people like Big L. He pulled off an ambitious move by rapping over a medley of classic New York beats, slaying each one in a city known to be very arrogant about its own style’s superiority. But honestly, was your favorite moment of the night M.O.P?! It was ours for sure.

Peep exclusive photos of the show below, courtesy of Nashish Scott (Instagram: @nash1sh)

– Scott Randell (@DefinedByMvsic)