Brooklyn Academy

During the tail end of the Golden Era of hip hop, the Lyricist Lounge Vol 1 double disc was released. Featuring everyone from the Liks to Common to Mos Def to Company Flow it was among the last releases to feature dope hip hop for hip hop's sake, and matched artists together that would never again be seen within the same context due to the impending divide between mainstream and underground hip hop. It's been ten years since true hip hop got lost in the shuffle and backpack and bling were positioned as polar opposites. However, all may not have been lost as there seems to be a recent shift back to originality and creativity in hip hop.

Marking the occasion is the long, long, long overdue debut album from Brooklyn Academy, Bored of Education. Since being featured on that fateful Lyricist Lounge album, Mr Metaphor, Pumpkinhead and Block McCloud have stayed true to their original sound and refused, perhaps even to their own person detriment, to conform to formulaic standards. But on July 22 2008, they'll finally have the chance to shine.

I lived in Park Slope for a long time and got to know Brooklyn Ac so to celebrate the upcoming release, which is being distributed through Caroline via a joint deal with K7 and Gold Dust Media, the homies invited me down to their listening party. It was a necessary breath of fresh air for someone struggling to stay in love with hip hop. Check some pics below.

Gully Sign = Real Hip Hop Inside

Greeted by my homie Marc Bars mean muggin it.

Brooklyn Academy: Mr. Metaphor, Pumpkinhead, Block McCloud

First look at the cover art.

Brooklyn Ac with Michael Bull, SVP Caroline Distribution and Dave Watkins of Gold Dust Media.

A lot of love in the room including Danny Castro (Lyricist Lounge), Fiona Bloom, DJ Bizarro (Jean Grae), Dantana (Okayplayer), and Poison Pen. Big up Brooklyn AC!