On Aug. 11, 2023, Manifesto presented The Block Party, at Toronto’s Echo Beach, in honour and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop. More than 15 acts performed across two stages, including a set by 30-year-career rapper Saukrates, who surprised the crowd by bringing out members of the Circle – Solitair, Choclair, and Jully Black – to join him. In her set, Keysha Freshh also stunned the audience with Haviah Mighty, Lex Leosis, and Phoenix Pagliacci, for a reunion of The Sorority – playing together again live for the first time since they broke up in 2019. The night also included powerful performances from Temia, DJ 4Korners, Vince the Messenger, Clairmont the Second, No Tourists, Sadboi, and Skiifall, and Aminé closed the night with an incendiary set. On Aug 8, as part of Manifesto 2023, SOCAN presented an educational “Cooking Beats” session with OG Parker, moderated by SOCAN Creative Executive Lord Quest. Check out our photos below.
Photo by Brad Ardley. Saukrates at/au Manifesto Block Party.