Rare Essence with special guest DJ Kool, Felix Hernandez Rythm Revue

Patriarchs of Go-go music move crowds with the help of DC’s own Let Me Clear My Throat MC

Rare Essence

If you’re not familiar with “Go-Go,” you’re in for a rare treat. Rare Essence is the nation’s capital’s #1 Go-Go band, with a sprawling 40+ year legacy. Go-Go’s fundamentals include a linking of various songs, over a confluence of percussion styles and formats from all over the planet. Signature Go-Go sounds include congas, cowbells and timbales, all peppered with ecstatic audience participation segments. The Rare Essence squad was assembled in the 1970’s, under the tutelage of the dearly departed Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. The group soon evolved into the leading Go-Go act in the D.C. area, eventually teaming up with the hottest names in hip-hop and soul, including Run DMC, LL Cool J, Biz Markie, Redman, Method Man, KRS-One and a seemingly endless host of rap royalty. The choruses of their timeless hits “Lock It,” “One On One,” “Hey Buddy Buddy,” and “Overnight Scenario” can be heard exuberantly sung by eager audiences, at each and every one of their shows. In 2016, Rare Essence received a tremendous honor, as the tenured troupe of industrious performers were inducted into the newly opened National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue

Brooklyn resident Felix Hernandez is a college radio-show host turned all-star DJ event and mega concert producer. He launched his career while still at school in the 80’s, with the creation of an independently produced radio series named BluesStage, which was so wildly popular, that NPR picked it up for a six-year run, with a whopping 200+ station distribution. The show gave a platform for both established and nascent R&B and rock artists to deliver live performances, to an ever-widening fan base. By 1986, Felix had carved out such a name for himself in the business, that he was invited to join WBGO in developing the now-famous classic soul & dance program Rhythm Revue. As the show took off to stratospheric heights, it would go on to air on New York’s WBLS, WRKS (“Kiss-FM”), WTJM (Jammin’ 105) and Sirius/XM. Rhythm Revue would metamorphose into a legendary live dance party, held at some of NYC’s most notable clubs. Now an indelible name in the world of party-throwing and concert crafting, Hernandez continues to coordinate acts that light up NYC’s premiere stages, and personally DJ some of the most exalted fests in the metropolitan area.