Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where hip hop, art, and community collide in the heart of Newark. Vibes in the City, founded by Ishmaeel Blakewood, is taking over Al-Munir’s Farms for the Newark Arts Festival—bringing the raw energy of the city’s underground scene into one of its most inspiring cultural spaces.

Ishmaeel Blakewood is a Newark-based cultural curator, community organizer, and co-creator of Vibes in the City, the city’s longest-running weekly open mic platform. For nearly a decade, he has cultivated a safe and authentic space where local talent—poets, MCs, singers, musicians, and visual artists—can showcase their craft and connect with the community. Under his leadership, Vibes in the City has become more than just a performance series: it is a movement that celebrates Newark’s creative pulse and elevates voices that often go unheard.

Blakewood’s work sits at the intersection of hip hop culture, grassroots organizing, and arts entrepreneurship. He has collaborated with festivals, nonprofits, and arts institutions across Newark to highlight the power of live performance as a tool for cultural preservation, healing, and community building. His vision is rooted in the belief that art belongs to the people and that Newark’s creative scene is one of the strongest reflections of its resilience and brilliance.

Register for tickets here : https://posh.vip/e/roots-and-renaissance

What to Expect:

DJ Dana J will be bringing the soundscape to life as the official DJ for Roots and Renaissance, curating a dynamic mix that bridges world sounds, culture, and community.

Live Performances & Open Mic Energy – Six artists hitting the stage with bars, beats, and soul—true to the essence of Newark’s creative grind.

Flavors of the City – Local food vendors serving up the kind of eats that fuel the culture.

Chill & Play – Games and activities that keep the vibe flowing between sets.

Street Market Vibes – Shop with local makers, artisans, and small businesses moving the culture forward.

Farm Tours with Flavor – Walk the land, connect with the roots, and see how Newark grows its own.

Arts & Culture Activations – Visuals, installations, and community expression that hit just like the music.

This isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of Newark’s creative heartbeat. Come through, catch a vibe, and experience hip hop and art the way it’s meant to be: live, local, and for the people.

Performance Artists

SheBeez SheBeez is an artist who explores healing as art, using rhythm and creativity as a vessel for growth and connection. Her work embodies the conscious decision to move healing forward through sound and expression. Inspired by the timeless question, “When God speaks through rhythm, will you go to it?”, her artistry bridges spirit and community.

Elaine Elaine is a writer and emerging spoken word artist with over two decades of experience crafting poems, flash fiction, children’s stories, and novels. While new to performing her work publicly, she has long used writing as her passion and creative release. Elaine is now stepping into the spotlight to share her words and give voice to the stories she’s been nurturing.

Aaisha Truth Aaisha Truth is a Newark, NJ rap artist with more than 14 years in music and over 100 live performances to her name. Her artistry blends poetry, storytelling, and rhythm to transform lived experience into powerful, relatable songs. With a commanding cadence and authentic voice, Aaisha continues to stand out as a distinctive force in hip hop.

AcedaFace

Born and raised in East Orange, NJ, this artist represents hip hop with authenticity, community, and culture at the forefront. Their voice delivers motivation, encouragement, and inspiration to listeners. Rooted in Newark’s creative legacy, they use their platform to uplift and empower.

NerdBoi Juss An alternative artist from New Jersey, they create music that thrives on storytelling and experimentation. Embracing the weird and different, their sound challenges boundaries while staying emotionally raw and relatable. Through each track, they invite listeners into a world where uniqueness is celebrated.

Kyle McQueen Kyle McQueen is a Hip-Hop/R&B artist from Queens, NY who seamlessly blends rap and R&B into a style he calls “Bar&B.” His music moves fluidly between sharp, heartfelt bars and smooth melodies that explore love and life. With versatility and emotional depth, McQueen delivers songs that resonate across audiences.

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