The music festivals just don’t end here – after a packed first quarter of the year with Laneway, Big Night Out, Mosaic and Timbre Rock & Roots, this April sees the launch of another al fresco music extravaganza: the Big Wig Festival, which shines its spotlight on local and international hip hop acts.
Taking over Fort Canning Park on 6 Apr, Big Wig features over ten acts ranging from hip hop and disco to reggae, soul and funk, including Golden Age hip hop all-stars such as Pharoahe Monch (one half of the respected underground rap duo Organized Konfusion) and alternative hip hop collective The Pharcyde, known for their jazzy, humourous tracks as showcased on their classic 1992 debut album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde.
Also in the line-up are Deejay Theory, a frontrunner in the tropical bass scene, DJ Captain Planet (no relation to the animated superhero), who blends hip hop, funk, soul and jazz like a pro, and UK-based The Cuban Brothers, who are known for their rowdy mix of music, comedy and dance.
Representing us on the local front are performers like Wicked Aura – renowned for their luscious Afro-Brazilian beats with infusions of funk, rock, reggae and electronica, and rapper Kevin Lester (aka TheLionCityBoy), whose recent international debut EP Everything You Love You Hate delivers an explosive mix of hip hop, R&B and punk rock that will undoubtedly mesh well with DJ KoFlow’s hard-hitting beats.
Plus, the Pushin’ On Crew – made up of DJ Shellsuit, DJ Chunk and MC Masterpiece, the trio behind Singapore’s longest-running funk night – will unleash their brand of Latin funk, disco, boogie and hip hop beats that have graced clubs and festivals all over the world.
Hosted by our very own Masia One, along with UK MC Lady Leshurr, the festival also includes performances from local break dancing crew Radikal Forze, live graffiti by local and international artists and even a skateboarding ramp so you can watch kids do tricks and spins in the air (or attempt your own). Benita Lee