West Coast Symphony: Grand Performances Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop through the lens of DJ Battlecat. This August, experience a full night of classic hits covered, re-interpreted and accented with original compositions from an extensive list of surprise guests with legendary Hip-Hop producer DJ Battlecat as maestro.
West Coast Symphony will feature opening beat sets from 2092 Funk Radio Records beginning promptly at 6pm and a timely Thes One tribute to his People Under the Stairs brother Double K (RIP).
Meet us under the stars on Grand Avenue in the heart of DTLA for trip down memory lane and a peek into the future of West Coast Hip-Hop; powered by Fusicology, One Mind Group, Godspeed Radio and Red Bull Music.
Schedule:
6pm - 2092 Funk Radio Records
7pm - Thes One performs "Farewell, my friend."
8:30pm - DJ Battlecat
Please RSVP at Eventbrite.
For Location, Parking & FAQ, click here.
Kevin Alexander Gilliam’s (DJ Battlecat) signature sound came from the early 70's-90's G-Funk style, which he characterized by fat synth bass lines and soulful melodic keys over aggressive drums.
DJ Battlecat's roster consists of multi-platinum artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, the Game, WC, Xzibit, Tha Dogg Pound, E40, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, King T, and Tha Eastsidaz. Battlecat expanded by tapping into R&B, he worked with the Dramatics, Faith Evans, Kenny Lattimore, Tyrese, and Raphael Saadiq, and many more. In church, Battlecat developed playing drums and percussions.
In Cat’s early career the album Bangin On Wax, was developed to bring gangs together promoting a peace treaty and because of this movement, Cat joined with other artists donating music in a benefit album to assist families who have lost loved ones to senseless violence. BC Powda's dedication was awarded by Maxine Waters and Herb Wesson for his outstanding community activism against gang violence in Los Angeles. In 2020 DJ Battlecat worked with Legendary artists by putting new and up coming artists together on a single, bringing blue and red to a ONE LOVE Movement, including – Black and Brown.
Cat’s contribution as an original KDAY mix master prepared him for becoming the Program Director for Dr. Dre's Beats One radio station called "The Pharmacy" on Apple Music. Next, he entered into TV with BET's 2014 Soul Train Awards with Dougie Fresh and "1500 or Nothin" as the house band. It was such a success, he returned in 2015.
He was asked by BET LIVE Experience to DJ for Usher so besides the legendary artist, Battlecat landed himself on the Victory Lap album by Nipsey Hussle's song “REAL BIG” and D-Smoke's (winner of the TV show Rhythm & Flow) "Sunkissed Child" off the Black Habits album.
Thes One (People Under The Stairs) and Crew present Farewell, My Friend Live - A Tribute to Michael “Double K” Turner
In a one-time only engagement, Thes One and an all star cast of collaborators perform Farewell, My Friend live - a tone poem of grief, loss and redemption dedicated to partner in People Under The Stairs Michael “Double K” Turner. Featuring a densely layered mosaic of jazz, beats and psychedelia, Thes One’s critically acclaimed instrumental masterpiece celebrates Michael’s life and serves as both a final footnote to their legacy and a love letter to a lost friend.
A a very special limited edition album will be exclusively available and can only be purchased at Grand Performances the night of the show!
This performance is made possible in part by a grant from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture
