Free Tickets: Fathers Love Hip Hop Block Party

EST Of Three Times Dope-

EST is one-third of the groundbreaking Philadelphia rap group Three Times Dope, one of the most influential acts of the late 1980s golden era of Hip Hop. 

The group gained national recognition through their innovative lyricism, humor, and storytelling, helping establish Philadelphia as a major force in East Coast Hip Hop. Their debut album, “Original Stylin’,” became a cult classic and inspired generations of independent artists throughout the city.

DJ Too Tuff Of Tuff Crew-

Known worldwide for elite turntable skills and production, DJ Too Tuff is the legendary DJ of Tuff Crew. 

He helped pioneer Philadelphia’s rugged street sound during the 1980s and remains respected globally for his influence on DJ culture, mixtape culture, and Hip Hop performance standards. His technical precision behind the turntables made him one of Philly’s most iconic DJs.

Lady B Legendary Radio Pioneer-

Lady B is widely recognized as one of the first female Hip Hop radio DJs in America and a true architect of Philadelphia Hip Hop culture.

Through her legendary radio presence on WHAT Radio and her classic single “To The Beat Y’all,” she opened doors for countless artists and helped bring Hip Hop to mainstream radio audiences during the culture’s formative years.

Mimi Brown Legendary Radio Pioneer-

Mimi Brown has spent over 40 years supporting and uplifting Philadelphia’s Hip Hop arts and entertainment communities through event coordination, artist advocacy, networking, and community engagement on WDAS FM. 

Her contributions behind the scenes have helped preserve and promote authentic Philly culture while supporting independent creatives and cultural initiatives across the city. 

Gillie Da King of Major Figgaz, Legendary Hip Hop Advocate & Podcaster-

Gillie Da King became one of Philadelphia’s most recognized modern rap voices through his raw lyricism, mixtape success, entrepreneurial mindset, and influence on independent Hip Hop culture. 

Beyond music, his success in podcasting and media helped expand Philadelphia’s cultural presence nationally while inspiring younger artists from urban communities.

Cornbread The Legend Father Of Modern Graffiti-

Known globally as “Cornbread The Legend,” Cornbread is recognized and confirmed by many historians as the Founding Father of Modern Graffiti Art. 

Emerging from North Philadelphia in the late 1960s, his tagging movement helped spark a worldwide urban art culture that became one of the foundational elements of Hip Hop. His influence continues to inspire graffiti artists and muralists internationally.

Schoolly D - Father Of Reality Rap & Hip Hop Pioneer-

Schoolly D is one of the most influential rappers in Hip Hop history and a true Philadelphia pioneer. Known for creating a raw street storytelling style “Reality Rap” that evolved into and inspired gangsta rap, Schoolly D’s music influenced artists across the country and helped establish PSK, West Philly and the whole of Philadelphia’s role in shaping hardcore Hip Hop. His classic records like, “Gucci Time” and his unmistakable voice remain legendary throughout Hip Hop culture.

The Fathers Love Hip Hop Block Party is a living celebration of Philadelphia’s cultural legacy, community unity, fatherhood, creativity, and the preservation of authentic Hip Hop history.

The Fathers Love Hip Hop Block Party is a living celebration of Philadelphia’s cultural legacy, community unity, fatherhood, creativity, and the preservation of authentic Hip Hop history. Families are encouraged to attend early and experience workshops, performances, shopping, food, games, networking opportunities, and positive community engagement throughout the day.

Admission Is Free & Open To The Public 

Families, Elders, Fathers, Mothers, Youth, and neighbors will come together at the Fathers Love Hip Hop Block Party at Container Village in West Philadelphia for a powerful celebration of culture, connection, wellness, and community tradition. More than just games, the Urban Hood Games experience is about reclaiming the spirit of togetherness that once lived on every block, playground, recreation center, front porch, and neighborhood street corner throughout Black communities across America.

Before smartphones, social media, and endless scrolling, young people learned life lessons face-to-face through games, music, movement, conversation, and competition. Urban Hood Games represent strategy, communication, discipline, laughter, creativity, teamwork, and survival skills passed from one generation to another. These games helped shape social intelligence, emotional resilience, patience, leadership, and confidence. Today, many of those traditions are disappearing, and events like this are important because they reconnect our youth to authentic community experiences that improve both mental and physical health.

At the Fathers Love Hip Hop Block Party, these classic neighborhood games become a bridge between generations. Fathers teach sons. Mothers teach daughters. Elders share wisdom with youth. Children witness positive Black interaction, joy, mentorship, and healthy competition in real time. In a world where many young people struggle with anxiety, depression, isolation, violence, and lack of community connection, Urban Hood Games create safe spaces where people can laugh together, move together, and simply be human together again.

Spades- The Game of Communication & Partnership

Spades has always been more than cards in the Black community. It is a game of trust, communication, strategy, patience, and partnership. Every hand teaches people how to read energy, think ahead, and work together without always speaking directly. Fathers and elders often taught younger generations about confidence, accountability, and teamwork through Spades. The game sharpens the mind while creating powerful social interaction between generations. Around a Spades table, stories are told, jokes are exchanged, wisdom is shared, and relationships are strengthened.

Pinochle- Mental Discipline & Family Tradition

Pinochle carries a rich tradition throughout many Black households and social clubs. It is a game that demands memory, concentration, planning, and observation. Older generations often introduced Pinochle to youth as a way to develop patience and critical thinking skills. In many ways, it became a mental exercise before people even used that term. Events like Urban Hood Games help preserve these traditions so young people can learn that intelligence exists in many forms, especially through culture-based learning and social interaction.

Dominoes-  Expression, Energy & Respect

Dominoes has always brought energy to the neighborhood. The sounds of dominoes slamming on tables became part of the soundtrack of Black urban life. But underneath the laughter and competitive spirit is a game built around mathematics, sequencing, strategic thinking, and emotional control. Dominoes teaches people how to stay focused under pressure while also creating joyful social experiences. It gives elders and youth an opportunity to interact naturally while teaching lessons about confidence, timing, and respect.

 1 2 3 Red Light- Focus & Physical Awareness

Games like 1 2 3 Red Light remind us that childhood once lived outdoors. This game encourages movement, discipline, timing, listening skills, and self-control while keeping children physically active. In today’s digital world, many young people spend more time indoors than outside engaging with other children. Bringing games like this back helps improve physical health, coordination, social confidence, and active imagination. It also reminds adults of simpler times when entire neighborhoods looked after children together.

Freeze Tag- Exercise, Reflexes & Joy

Freeze Tag represents freedom, movement, and pure childhood energy. It promotes cardiovascular health, reflexes, teamwork, agility, and social engagement. More importantly, games like Freeze Tag help children release stress naturally through movement and laughter. Physical play is essential for mental health, especially in communities where many children experience trauma, overstimulation, or emotional pressure. Community games create healthy emotional outlets while building stronger friendships and communication skills.

Backgammon- Wisdom, Patience & Strategic Thinking

Backgammon connects generations through intellect and patience. Often played by elders in barbershops, recreation centers, parks, and neighborhood gathering spaces, the game teaches strategic planning and thoughtful decision-making. Young people watching older men and women play Backgammon witness discipline, calm thinking, and problem-solving in action. These moments matter because they restore intergenerational learning that is often missing in modern society. The game becomes less about winning and more about preserving wisdom and cultural interaction.

Ring Around The Rosey- Unity & Innocence

Ring Around The Rosey reminds us of the innocence of childhood and the beauty of group participation. In Black communities, circle games have always represented unity, rhythm, cooperation, and joy. Children learn how to interact socially, move collectively, and participate without fear of judgment. These types of games encourage emotional bonding and help children develop confidence in group settings. Seeing children laugh together outdoors creates healing energy for entire communities.

Rebuilding Community Through Culture

The Urban Hood Games experience is not about nostalgia alone. It is about healing communities by reviving traditions that promoted human connection long before technology separated people from one another. These games remind us that culture itself can be medicine. They encourage eye contact, conversation, teamwork, physical activity, emotional expression, and mentorship. All things many communities desperately need today.

The Fathers Love Hip Hop Block Party stands as a reminder that Hip Hop culture was always about community, creativity, peace, expression, and bringing people together. Whether through DJing, MCing, Breakin’, storytelling, or neighborhood games, our culture has always found ways to transform struggle into joy and connection.

At Container Village on June 20th, Urban Hood Games will help fathers reconnect with children, elders reconnect with youth, and communities reconnect with traditions that built resilience, confidence, imagination, and love throughout generations of Black culture. This is bigger than a block party. This is cultural preservation, community wellness, and intergenerational healing through play.