In July 2024, ahead of the 2nd annual Summer Blockfest, What Hoboken Sounds Like shared Random Fact #22: a storytime from founder Victor Lopez Jr. on where the festival came from.
A festival that never existed
"For as long as I've lived in Hoboken, I dreamt of seeing a festival that celebrated hip-hop culture," he wrote. "Unfortunately, hip-hop was often shamed, and such a festival never existed here." When he started What Hoboken Sounds Like, his goal was to create a lane for every genre and talent, especially within the hip-hop community.
The Dreamville inspiration
His inspiration was J. Cole's Dreamville Festival, held each spring since 2018 at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, and curated by Cole and his Dreamville team. "It made me believe in what others believed to be impossible," he said. The festival's inclusive, joyous atmosphere made him want to create something similar in Hoboken, and the Summer Blockfest logo itself draws on the original Dreamville Fest logo as an homage.
From the housing walls to the whole city
He first discussed the idea with Councilman Michael Russo in August 2022. Growing up, the block parties in the Hoboken Housing Authority shaped his vision, and his goal was to aim bigger: bring the festival outside the housing walls and show that hip-hop talent deserves to be front and center in Hoboken, no matter the location.
A year later, on August 19, 2023, after building "a wildly talented team," WHSL held the first Summer Blockfest, drawing hundreds of people and critical acclaim. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was possible. It was taking that risk and believing in God that made it all happen." Little by little, he said, the city has started to accept the culture, and a cultural revolution is happening.
The 2nd annual Summer Blockfest was set for August 10, 2024. His closing words: "If you read this far just know the @summerblockfest will be the biggest festival in Hoboken one day. I'm speaking that into existence! Thank You, God, for it all!"
Read about Summer Blockfest 2024.
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