Photo courtesy of Brick City Jam.
The annual Brick City Jam Festival is officially back, bringing its signature mix of music, graffiti and community back to the streets of Newark.
The event will take over Newark Riverfront Park, located at 998 Raymond Boulevard, for a massive celebration of International Hip Hop Day.
After shifting dates due to weather, the festival’s outdoor highlight is locked in for Saturday, Aug. 1 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Core Of Brick City Jam’s History
Founded by Livingston Steele, Brick City Jam (BCJ) was created to amplify Newark’s street culture and legacy of self expression. The festival specializes in transforming neighborhoods and underutilized urban spaces into living showcases of music and street art.
BCJ prioritizes placing local artists and creators into neighborhood parks and form it into a community block party for all to immerse in. Over the years, the festival has grown and partnered with statewide initiatives like the North 2 Shore festival, drawing a mix of local mainstays and international artists.
Newark, better known as “Brick City,” has a recognizable history for being the city where music’s most influential artists—like Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Redman—got their start. This festival serves as a direct investment in the city’s future, driving foot traffic to local businesses while inspiring the next generation of creators.
What To Expect At Riverfront Park
The Aug. 1 event honors the deep roots of a rap and hip hop global movement that started in the South Bronx in the 1970s and quickly redefined New Jersey hubs like Newark and Jersey City. Attendees can look forward to a multi sensory immersion into the core pillars of Hip Hop:
- Live Graffiti & Fine Art: Watch full scale live mural creation
- Elite Dance Battles: Experience high stakes action during “Breakin’ In The Bricks,” featuring an intense all styles versus breakdancing showcase presented with Break Infinite
- The Soundscape: Selectors and DJs will spin sets bridging the definitive roots of hip hop with the sounds of the future
- The Jersey Creators Market: Shop local and celebrate the three year anniversary of this curated small business shopping destination, featuring premier clothing brands and craft makers.
- Global Street Flavors: Fuel up with curated dishes from food trucks in the tri-state area
With hundreds of local creators, artists and music lovers already RSVP’d, this is one of the ultimate spaces to connect with the culture.
To stay connected with exclusive updates, find upcoming schedule announcements, or RSVP for invite-only shows, visit the official Brick City Jam Website and follow their journey on the Brick City Jam Instagram. You can also sign up for their twice a month newsletter directly through their official update link.
