After their phenomenal success in 2007 organizers of the Brooklyn Hip hop Festival are expanding the Festival programming for 2008. The Festival is expanding within Brooklyn as well as nation wide. "Producing a Festival in the community is fundamentally different than going to 100 acres in the desert or Randall's Island," writes Festival Chair Wes Jackson. "Most homeowners are not thrilled to have 20,000 people outside their window and we understand that. We don''t want that either. Our mission is to create a powerful yet intimate event that can live within the Planet of Brooklyn. So we decided to go deeper into Brooklyn and spread that energy across the borough. To Williamsburg, Fort Greene, Bed Stuy, Downtown and DUMBO."

In addition, themes that were touched on in 2007 are being given their own space and time in 2008. Last year Brooklyn Bodega partnered with powerHouse Books to help celebrate the anniversary of Wild Style. This year that concept is being rolled into a four week outdoor film series. Screenings will celebrate the legacy of Hip hop cinema as well as introduce audiences to some of the fine independent filmmakers in Brooklyn.

The Funk and Soul element of past festivals is also being rolled into a separate day. "We have believed that Hip hop is soul, funk, jazz and R&B. Acts from Maya Azucena to El Michels Affair have been crowd favorites since 2005. So we decided to give them their own time to shine," added Jackson.

The main Festival day will still feature the best of old school, new school, and local acts. Although artists announcement are forthcoming organizers are very excited about the legends and young lions they are looking to bring back to Brooklyn.

The most exiting wrinkle to 2008 is the BHF Tour. After the Brooklyn dates the lineup will hit the road spreading love the Brooklyn way. The BHF Tour it set to hit Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Raleigh, D.C., and Philadelphia with more dates to be added. "Brooklyn holds a mythical place in Hip hop culture. The Brooklyn energy is what inspires us year in and year out. We want to bring that to fans across the country. With the tour we are viewing ourselves as cultural ambassadors."

Please check www.brooklynbodega.com for news, artist confirmations, and more.

Brooklyn Hip hop Festival 2008 dates:

June 21st - Nasty Funk and Hot Buttered Soul

A celebration of Hip hop's roots. Featuring the best crate diggers in the game as well as the finest in Neo- Soul

June 13th, 20th, 27th and July 11th - The BHF Film series

Sit out in the park and watch the finest in Hip hop cinema. The films the Academy snuffed. We''re talking ''Juice'', ''Beat Street'' and ''New Jack City.'' As well as the finest offerings from Brooklyn's own indie filmmakers

July 12th - The main Festival Date

The Kings and Queens of Brooklyn return home supported by the next wave from Brooklyn and beyond. In addition the early part of the day will be dedicated to community enrichment and health issues affecting our community including childhood obesity

July 15th to Aug 1st - BHF Tour ''08

The July 12th lineup will the road. Bringing that BK energy to Chicago, SF, LA, Austin, ATL and more.

About:

Brooklyn Bodega is best known for producing the annual Brooklyn Hip hop Festival. The creative collective of writers, illustrators, graphic designers, and filmmakers also work with various brands to help realize the brands'' creative vision. They also maintain a blog/destination site at www.brooklynbodega.com

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