Black Thought, DJ Jazzy Jeff Light Up Brooklyn Jam Session

A quiet Thursday night in Brooklyn's Red Hook transformed into an unforgettable cultural moment. Music legends and hip-hop royalty converged at the Compound Art and Sound Gallery for the Uguhmugga Jam Session, an evening of raw talent and spontaneous combustion that reminded everyone why live music is the heartbeat of the culture.

The gathering, held at 185 Van Dyke Street, was more than just a performance; it was a curated experience designed to immerse attendees in the rich tapestry of Black music. Headlining the session were none other than Black Thought, the lyrical titan of The Roots, and the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose mastery behind the turntables guided the night's sonic journey. They were joined by Grammy Award-winning musician James Poyser, the longtime keyboardist for The Roots, who anchored the live band. The late-spring event, a recent but unspecified Thursday night, drew inspiration directly from the iconic jam sessions that originated in Philadelphia, deeply rooted in the history of The Roots themselves.

The Compound Art and Sound Gallery, the visionary creation of Set Free Richardson, served as the perfect backdrop. Richardson, a cultural innovator and creative director born in The Bronx and raised in Philadelphia, has built a space where art, sound, and spirits seamlessly converge. His curatorial genius is palpable in the gallery's industrial reclamation aesthetic, featuring exposed steel beams, concrete floors, and brick walls that open to the ocean air. The interior is designed to feel lived-in, softened by gentle lighting, expansive rugs, and comfortable seating arrangements, all punctuated by the striking detail of a pristine vintage white Range Rover centrally placed in the room. This Red Hook location is the third iteration of Richardson's creative spaces, with previous ventures having operated in The Bronx. Beyond the Compound, Richardson is celebrated for his role in developing the groundbreaking AND1 Mixtapes, which propelled the AND1 brand into a multi-million-dollar international phenomenon, and for executive producing and co-directing the ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary "The Greatest Mixtape Ever." The gallery's menu itself is a testament to its thoughtful curation, offering a selection of Japanese whiskeys, bright citrus-forward tequila cocktails, and smoky mezcal mules.

Tariq Trotter, universally known as Black Thought, wasted no time in demonstrating why he is consistently ranked among the greatest MCs of all time. Born in Philadelphia in 1973, he co-founded The Roots with Questlove in 1987 while attending the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. His complex lyricism and unparalleled live performance abilities have solidified his reputation over decades, a legacy that continues with The Roots serving as the house band for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" for more than ten years. On the ones and twos, Jeffrey Allen Townes, or DJ Jazzy Jeff, conducted the night's musical narrative from his perch above the crowd. Hailing from West Philadelphia, where he began spinning records at parties at just ten years old, DJ Jazzy Jeff rose to international fame as half of the dynamic hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince alongside Will Smith. Together, they made history by earning the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand," followed by a second Grammy for "Summertime." After the duo's separation in 1994, DJ Jazzy Jeff launched his production company, A Touch of Jazz, becoming a pivotal R&B and neo-soul producer, instrumental in developing artists such as Jill Scott and even contributing to the work of The Roots. During the jam session, he expertly wove Tweet's "Oops... Oh My" into a complete audiovisual experience, with scenes from "Cooley High" projected across the gallery's massive wall, creating a truly immersive atmosphere.

The backbone of the live sound was the band, led by James Poyser, who has held down the keys for The Roots for nearly two decades. Poyser, a Grammy Award-winning musician born in Sheffield, England, and raised in West Philadelphia, officially joined The Roots in 2009 and performs with them as part of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" house band. His extensive resume as a prolific songwriter and producer includes collaborations with an impressive roster of artists such such as Erykah Badu, Mariah Carey, John Legend, and Adele. The evening's Philadelphia lineage was made clear from the start, with Philadelphia-bred artist Dayne Jordan opening the session. Jordan, a hip-hop artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been releasing independent music since 2004, initially under the name Dosage. His career saw him connect with Lupe Fiasco in 2008 and later forge a significant relationship with DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2009, culminating in their joint project "Memoirs of Dayne Jordan" in 2015.

The night was punctuated by standout moments and notable attendees. Renée Neufville of Zhané stepped to the mic and delivered a rendition of Michael Jackson's "I Can't Help It," captivating the room and prompting questions about where she had been, with many realizing she had always been there, just perhaps out of their immediate spotlight. The energy reached a fever pitch during a mass sing-along that seamlessly transitioned from Musiq Soulchild's "Just Friends" into Usher's "You Remind Me," creating a shared moment of nostalgia and connection. Among the crowd, A$AP Rocky was spotted, reportedly bopping along and fully immersed in the music like any other fan. He later kept his assessment direct, stating, "The experience I just had in there is indescribable. I ain't even gassing it or putting extras. This was fucking amazing." The arrival of Jadakiss further underscored the session's magnetic draw, adding another layer of hip-hop royalty to the already star-studded evening.

The Uguhmugga Jam Session at Compound is more than just a concert series; it represents a vital cultural anchor in a borough that has seen many of its creative spaces priced out and paved over. It’s a testament to the power of intentional curation and community building, drawing together music lovers, audiophiles, nostalgia seekers, and culture keepers across generations. This event underscores the enduring legacy of Philadelphia's rich music scene, particularly the influence of The Roots' legendary jam sessions, and demonstrates how that spirit can be transplanted and thrive in new urban landscapes. It fosters an environment where established legends can connect with audiences and emerging artists, reinforcing the continuous flow of inspiration and collaboration within Black culture and hip-hop. The evening served as a powerful reminder to engage with and celebrate talent while it is actively present.

In a world often driven by fleeting trends, the Uguhmugga Jam Session at Compound Art and Sound Gallery stands as a beacon for authentic artistry and communal experience. It’s a space where the past, present, and future of Black music intertwine, promising more unforgettable nights that redefine the live music experience and solidify Brooklyn's Red Hook as a crucial destination for cultural innovation.