“Fresh Jive represents the spirit of hip-hop and giving the community a taste of the ‘hip-hop flavour.” – Shane Fenton, 2018.
Looking for something to do in Leeds this weekend? Well, Fresh Jive is back for part 1 of its 20th anniversary celebration. A night packed with real hip-hop, local talent and a revival of the original Fresh Jive party, the event is set to be unmissable. Here, our duty supervisor, Jess Horton, explores what makes Fresh Jive so great.
“For those unaware of Fresh Jive’s legacy, it is a Leeds-based company started by Tony Green, an influential DJ known as T-Breaks, in 1998. He was then joined by UK b-boy champion, Shane Fenton (or 10tonn) in 2002. Together, they have put their energy back into the hip-hop scene in Leeds and have created great memories and loads of legendary hip-hop parties.
“Their efforts and talents soon rang throughout the UK, and the world, becoming the infamous beacon of hip-hop they are today. Fresh Jive is one of the UK’s biggest breakdance events and has brought some of the biggest and most influential hip-hop acts to Leeds, including Method Man, Public Enemy, Mos Def, DJ Premier, Masta Ace, Sugarhill Gang, Blak Twang, among a vast list of others.
“Shane Fenton and Tony Green have brought the magic that 10tonn and T-Breaks encompass to friends all across Europe, continuing to promote hip-hop culture locally and internationally through classic elements, such as breakdance, DJing and Emceeing.
“One of UK’s biggest breakdancing competitions, ‘Dirty-30s’, was co-founded by Shane and Tony, for the first generation of b-boys and b-girls to continue dancing. ‘Speak to the Streets’ was founded as a ‘Legacy of Pat Regan’, which works towards promoting positive hip-hop culture in the youths around the UK. Their efforts in hip-hop, throughout all their projects, have put the dynamic duo on the map and have shown the world the talents Leeds has to offer.
“The hip hop fans of Leeds have been screaming encore since their last event in 2015, asking for one more ageless Fresh Jive party. Finally, the people have been given what they want. Consider yourself lucky if you find yourself at Fresh Jive’s anniversary this weekend.
“On Saturday 23 June, Fresh Jive will bring their funk back to the people of Leeds with the 20th anniversary reunion party going down at The Hyde Park Book Club, exhibiting some of the elements they are best known for.
“During the day, ‘Speak to the Streets’ will be going family friendly with live performances, workshops, games and competitions. When night falls, you can expect a slightly different scene. From 5pm there will be dance cypher battles, live hip-hop acts, DJ battles and special guests. The night will be hosted by 10tonn and DJ Junk, two UK b-boy champions, and will feature DJ battles between T-Breaks and DJ Lubi. Friends of Fresh Jive, J Bravo and DJ Agent M, will be hosting additional live acts and performances in the Sedgwick Avenue room.
“Find out more about the event and how to purchase tickets on the Fresh Jive event page. Tickets are selling fast, so be quick!”
And remember…this is only the first part of Fresh Jive’s 20th anniversary celebration. Keep your eyes peeled for more to come on Fresh Jive’s Facebook page.