Portland's First Hip Hop in the Park

Emmaus Church hosts their first annual Hip-Hop in the Park on Aug. 30, at Fernhill Park on the corner of NE 37th and NE Ainsworth from 5 to 7pm.
The free 2-hour concert will showcase several national recording artists including Odd Thomas,
Propaganda, and Theory Hazit -- all of whom have roots in Portland.
Cole Brown, the lead pastor at says he started the event because Portland's successful Concerts in the Park series rarely features hip-hop music, and he saw this as an opportunity to serve an underserved segment of the community.
"We're simply doing this because we love hip-hop and we love the people who love hop-hop," says Brown, who formerly worked as an A&R for hip-hop producer Teddy Riley (Doug E Fresh, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg). "We want to provide an event where people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs can have a genuine and communal hip-hop experience."
Hip-Hop in the Park's artist lineup promises to provide just that. Theory Hazit's Lord Fire released last year to widespread acclaim. Rapzilla hailed it as a "nearly flawless album" while Sphere of Hip-Hop dubbed it a "classic hip-hop album."
Meanwhile, Odd Thomas and Propaganda caused quite a buzz this summer when it was announced that each had signed a solo deal with Syntax Records after building significant followings through independent releases.
For more information reach the Emmaus Church www.emmauspdx.com , at 4046 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.