San José’s premier music festival, Music in the Park was held on Sept. 21 at Plaza de César Chávez, with Vallejo’s iconic rapper LaRussell, taking the main stage.
Known for his high-energy hip hop performances and collaboration with other Bay Area artists, LaRussell has put out over 30 albums full of Bay Area anthems since 2018, according to a webpage by Genius.
Alongside LaRussell, the event featured performances from Souls of Mischief, Ruby Ibarra, Kung Fu Vampire and more as well as local vendors like J&C Handcrafted Culture and Mango Blossom Apiary.
Music in the Park has been held at the plaza since 1989, according to the organization’s webpage.
Rapper and entrepreneur, Yonex Jones, crowdsurfed to the stage during the performance, freestyling a few verses alongside LaRussell.
“I was chillin’ in the back, just hanging out and they just snatched me up and threw me up there … I surfed all the way,” Jones said. This was a dope music in the park, I grew up coming here and shit when it was free.”
Local comedian and artist, Derik the Destroyer spoke on his experience at the event.
“I’m a local artist so I like to be out here representing and supporting the local San José scene,” he said. “I wanted to see LaRussell perform … he’s a home-grown kid and I like him and he’s about the kids,” Derik said. “Also, I was more here for Souls of Mischief because that’s my generation … it was fire.”
Formed in 1991, the Oakland group Souls of Mischief is widely known for their debut studio album “93 ‘til Infinity” with the title track regarded as a hallmark of the ‘90s hip-hop era, according to a webpage by Extra Chill.
Kung Fu Vampire, a goth hip-hop rapper recognised for his alternative hip hop sound and performances with a live band.
“We haven’t played San José in over two years, I’m a San José native, not a local artist but I’m born and raised here, meaning like, I don’t even play locally, I play internationally,” he said. “I love San José, I’m a big advocate for San José.”
He has been making music for over 20 years and performs alongside drummer Action Paxton.
“This is my first music in the park experience, staff was amazing, the lineup was crazy,” Paxton said.
Irom Thockchom, faculty member at San José City College, spoke on the energy of performances and the sense of community in musical spaces.
“I’m born and raised in San José and it still felt like I was coming home … it felt so special to be here with everyone,” Thockchom said. “There’s Latinos, Black people, Asians, Muslims, Christians, whatever– everybody’s here.”
The event was strong with local and cultural pride for San José and the Bay Area, with LaRussell chanting, “live from the 408” throughout his set.
“When you see a crowd like this we’re all one people, we’re all together, there’s more that unites us than separates us and I’m reminded of that in a place like this,” Thockchom said.
