I once heard the best things in life are free, and being the average materialistic teenager that I am, I totally disregarded the statement, even snickering at it once in awhile.

Then I attended Beats, Breaks & Culture at the Harbourfront Centre. And yes it was one of the best things in life and free. This event was jam packed with three days of eye popping, jaw dropping, head bopping, show stopping entertainment everywhere. There were also canoe rides, a Long & McQuade lounge that was bumping all night and dozens of vendors to balance out the excitement.

I attended the Saturday night festivities and was not disappointed for even a minute. After taking a canoe ride myself, I heard the crafting of DJ Houseshoes doing a J Dilla tribute called Dilla by the Water. It was beautiful. I heard him drop "Healer" while I was in the canoe and I knew it was game time (no pun intended).

Following Houseshoes' fantastic set, as the crowd waited anxiously for the main event, DJ 33 hit the stage and spun up a storm getting everyone on their feet and singing along with his old school flavour. He was dropping jams that had the crowd looking like the main event had already begun.

But then, the God Emcee walked on the stage. Rakim stepped on the scene with his fresh, white Air Forces and red short-sleeved button up. Let's just say my eardrums were a bit rattled after that to say the least.

For hip-hop heads across the T-Dot, I'm sure they were ecstatic to be able to witness this great performance live. I know it must have taken a lot of older heads back... way back. He hit the stage with a "Let's Get Down to Business" attitude and that's exactly what he did. It was a focal point to the event for sure.

Sunday was definitely an insane day. The Long & McQuade lounge was bumpin' again with electronic and techno bounce and of course there was the b-boy competition.

Every year this event aims to bring memorable and classic shit and every year I have attended it has successfully done so. So here's to Beats, Breaks and Culture; the best free show in town.

Words By: Danian Walker + Photos By: Priya Ramanujam