When it comes to unsponsored, grass roots jams this was the best meeting of minds of followers of this Hip Hop Culture ive been blessed to attend in a hell of a long time.

The Brainchild of World B-Boy Legend, Zulu King Maurizio The Nextone. This 3 day Jam attracted B-Boys, B-Girls, Graffiti Artists, Diggers, Dj’s, Producers, Film makers, photographers and people with a passion for Hip Hop Culture from as far as wide as Japan, USA, UK, Poland, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark the list goes on.

All day every day Battles, no age, no sex catagory’s -30Degrees Heat, it went down.  On the concrete floor, damn the final the next day went down in the dirt!

Not only was there non stop b-boy challenges,  Graff Artists were getting busy on the walls.  Hip Hop Conferences, Debates, and action plans! the message GET INVOLVED !!!

There was also another King of the Beats Challenge.  With Producers from The UK, Switzerland and all across Italy.  15 Producers took on the challenge. Who would take the crate?  Ive attended almost everyone of the KOTB Italian Jams.  I can see over the years how much production has come on over there.  Seeing return contenders its very clear to me how much some people have improved.

Ive had many discussions over the years with Mauri, this was one of the most important things we have always made our mission to push.  As brother Sparkii Puts it and i repeat it so many times ‘Cultural Preservation’ and i keep saying ‘there is a Bigger Picture! We are here to plant seeds, pass knowledge, help and develop others.  This is the ZULU NATION WAY. Personally i can only say we are achieving that.  At this event there was 6 producers who could of easily took the crate.

From Hosting and being the behind the scenes all round technical dynamo, we saw Deal step into the KOTB arena as a challenger.  He’s got a lot to prove.  Although he did not win, he was one of the six.  Totally outdoing him self and smashing it with production far better than anything i’ve heard from him before.  THIS IS THE KING OF THE BEATS STORY.   It has created and helped develop Producers to a standard where they could give some of the best a run for their money.  Congratulations to Obie who took the crate!.

A big thank you to all the challengers for their continued support. I cant forget Sparkii Ski and Italian Producer and activist Esa for rocking beats live, right out the box.  THINK BIG.

Mauri as part of the event introduced his new concept titled ‘TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE’. This is where there Diggers, DJ”s show of their knowledge of records.  3 rounds 5 mins each.  Diggers from all over Europe were invited to Rep.  This wasn’t about cutting up breakbeats, this was about selecting records that as a producer/digger you get inspired by.

I took part in this.  i must admit, being so many dancers there, i didn’t know how this was gonna go down.  with my 15 records in my bag.  I have to say i totally enjoyed it.  I did  not clear the building lol.  I have to pay much respect to the other competitors of this.. My hat goes off to DJMBATO, legendary Italian Digger and ZULU KING, CAT TWENTY TWO who has been doing this since 1978.  I must stress this was a vinyl only event.

Id like to thanks Mauri, his team that made this event Happen.  I only wish there were jams like this here in the UK.

For those reading this, if it possible try make it out to these shows. look out for the ‘Concrete Jungle’ events.  For those who are true followers of the culture this is a event you will never regret attending but only feel blessed that you was there and part of it.

This was not a jam where you left with a full belly..although the UK crew sure drank their fill…this was about leaving with your heart and soul  full and inspired!

Pictures taken by Eta, Sara, Jay King, Pritt Kalsi, Derrick D, Nadia LaRock,