Highlights from this year’s Chicano Fest 2022 are here. Read about the event, the special presentations, and much more!

Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. We’ve had a busy couple of days, and I don’t think things are going to slow down any time soon. As of this moment, I’ve got at least four shows to attend in Detroit or Flint in the next 17 days. Hopefully life cooperates this month and everything can be reported back to the readers. Well, as you all know, we’ve just come off a busy weekend. I dropped my new book “Echos for the Machine”(available now on Amazon), and the Chicano Fest 2022 went down on Sunday. For those that missed it, do not fret, because we have a wonderful re-cap of the festivities. So, without further to do, lets jump on it.

Michigan Avenue

Detroit, Michigan

12:10pm

I arrived at the party a little after the noon hour started. I brought my family along and the kids were immediately drawn to the bounce house. There was a dope stage set up and a food truck in the street as well. The road behind the the Squeeze Station was shut down for the event, so people freely mingled in the sunshine. I could see the Rude Boy and DJ Carlito talking to one of the of the scheduled performers in the distance. I cruised over and greeted my fellow Los Drifters. There was a good feeling in the air and all was right where it belonged.

I was hungry and the food was looking very tempting from where I was standing. I decided to hold off for just a bit, and continued greeting the other familiar faces that I had seen all around. I spoke with DJ Dankish, who had just hit town from Ohio for the Chicano Fest. It was good to see him. Normally when I see him, we are in Allen Park at Simon’s After Dark, but he had made the drive into Southwest and was setting up for a killer set. From there I rapped with Bob Roxxx for a spell, about some projects and other news floating around ROX-TV world.

The vendors were lined up out the back door of the Squeeze Station, and a colorful and unique assortment of art and other things were for sale or on display. It was a beautiful day in Detroit, and it felt good to be with Familia. Events like this really highlight the importance of family and community. I was proud to be there and to be counted in the ranks. I’ve travelled a lot of places with these cats, and it felt good to be on home soil.

Opening Ceremonies

Although there was activity bursting everywhere, there seemed to be something about to happen on the stage. The Rude Boy was gearing up to address the crowd for the “official” start of the day. As the Chicano Fest attendees gathered around to hear the address, I got out the camera. The Rude Boy officially welcomed everyone to the “Chicano Fest 2022” going down at the Michigan Squeeze Station. I didn’t know it yet, but there was about to be some new additions to the event.

The Rude Boy talked about the event and some of the great performers that were scheduled to provide entertainment. He shouted out the Squeeze Station for their continued support of Cruisin The Barrio and for allowing the event to be hosted for a second year at the location. There was applause and smiles everywhere. The sun was high in the sky, ganja was floating in the air, and then Rude Boy made a special announcement. This year, Cruisin the Barrio and Friends of Southwest Detroit would be honoring some very special people with Civic Awards.

“Cruisin The Barrio and Friends of Southwest Detroit” Civic Award Winners 2022

This year there were three awards given out in special recognition of service that I like to call “above and beyond”. The Rude Boy called the winners up to the stage to be honored one at a time with a special plaque to commemorate the occasion. The following people were honored for their contributions in making their neighborhood and city a great place to live through selfless actions of goodwill and activism.

1. Elena Herrada (Family were presented with the award in place of Elena who was attending to family matters out of state that required her presence. It sounded like good news though, as she was taking her son to college out of state)
2. The Michigan Squeeze Station was honored for their tireless work towards uplifting the community.
3. Malik Shabazz was honored for fighting for his community and making it a great place to live. After receiving his award, he gave a very moving and passionate speech.

All the honorees were given wonderful plaques to mark the occasion. I must say that this is the type of thing that “it’s all about”. The devotion to making the world a better place is a noble and honorable cause. My hat is off to them and to Cruisin The Barrio and Friends of Southwest Detroit for making such a righteous and wonderful statement about what really matters today. It’s COMMUNITY and that involves us all. It does take a village and I’m glad the idea is still alive and well. People making the world around them a better place to live, work, and raise family. Few causes stir such emotion within me, but this one is at the top of the list.

Without love and compassion this world can’t survive. I think that Malik Shabazz said it best…”Love“. Amen to that, no matter what culture or race we find ourselves in, we all have a duty to our fellow man and woman. That’s a cause worth taking the hill for, and I will be there every time.

Party Time

Once the formalities were out of the way, the party could really begin. DJ Dankish broke into a really dope set, and the attendees were digging the sounds. I decided to get some food and then took a seat at one of the tables set up near the stage. As I ate and absorbed the sounds, life was good. The arts were on full display and pieces were available to admire or purchase if one was so inclined. The Hood Picasso was there and had some really amazing artwork at his table. We are good friends, and it is always a party with Drew in the house.

After the DJ Dankish set, there was some traditional music by a wonderful father and son team. The attendees were enthralled by the performance and so was I. From there, the music turned to DJ Izel aka Jaime Carrillo. I know this man well from the Black Horse Cantina. One night when the Los Drifters were in need of food and drink, this man took care of us when we needed it most.

I am a staunch supporter of the Black Horse Cantina and encourage anyone that’s never been there, to make a special trip down. It’s a great place for good times and has my stamp of approval any day. The Black Horse Cantina is located in Delray at 7844 Jefferson Ave, with Zug Island a stones throw away.

(Author’s Note: Old School Detroit Neighborhood-Delray was platted in 1836 and incorporated into a village in 1897. In 1906 Detroit annexed Delray’s seven square miles into the city. In the 1930’s Delray’s population peaked around 24,000 people. In 2010, the population was around 2,700 people. The area of Delray was selected in 2013 to become the home of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. When complete, the area of Delray will forever be changed to accommodate the bridge. Sadly, much of the area has been brought up and demolished to make this a reality. Delray, whose original name was Belgrade, was changed to “Del Rey” on October 14th, 1851, after resident and Mexican American War Veteran Augustus D. Burdeno suggested it. Apparently Burdeno had encountered a town called Molino del Rey in Mexico while serving in the country and the name stuck with him. A post office was named in 1870 and would run until 1970)

As the party heated up, so did the stage. TJAKS and his homie were set to perform, as well as many more. The wind picked up some and a few clouds in the sky assisted with a break from the steady stream of sunshine. The good times were rolling. Marijuana floated in the air, along with laughter and a few Modelo bottles here and there. The party went all day.

Rude Boy Speaks

“What can I say?? What a magical day yesterday in Southwest Detroit with our second annual Chicano Fest, everyone that came out had Smiles on their face from ear to ear, which made us feel very successful that we brought together our community with positivity, it was great to honor the owners and staff of Michigan Squeeze Station, Elena Herrada , Minister Malik Shabazz for their continued commitment to the citizens of the city of Detroit, also we would like to thank the talent that were in the house including all the way from Los Angeles California Soulful dreams bringing them old school Chicano jams to life,…. all the way from Albuquerque New Mexico Dmize Omega bringing that Southwest sound from New Mexico and owning that…

Our Friends from Toledo, Oh Frente Norte( I am sure glad we took a chance on bringing a Latin punk rock band to our event) ,… DJ dankish wow! what can I say easily one of the best DJs in the world today hands down, we were so lucky to have you and our events,…T-Jaks Toledo strong hip hop artist who brought that Monster energy yesterday to Chicano Fest  ……the new Queen of Freestyle Nora Yvelle, if you happen to be in Texas next week make sure you check out the queen of freestyle she is an amazing performer that brings high energy to any event, we were so lucky to have her,….

DJ Izel wow what an amazing set how are we so blessed to have such a great DJ and a community leader rocking with us at Chicano Fest,…. Bro.Kendricks El such an inspiration to see an amazing hip hop performer bringing that positive energy back to life, ….Chava Gomez & 10 year old Samuel Hernandez bringing that traditional Mariachi Style back to Southwest Detroit what an amazing performance guys, …. Luka Milkyway HOLLY S*IT this was his debut show in the world today and what a performance he put on if you get a chance to see this cat with his band chinchillionaires make sure you do it because this man or Martian or whatever he is turns it out every time!!!.

DJ Santana awesome job son you made Dad proud,.. special thanks to all of the vendors who came out, extra special thanks to our support team Jeff Bridges ,Tania Zafer , Skylar Lee , Jessica Miller Ramirez  & her beautiful Daughter, Trish Smith , and last but certainly not least Bobby Rox (Robert Lee) it is such an honor and a pleasure to be working side by side with such a hard-working guy like yourself, thank you so much for all you do!! This Festival is put on every year by myself and my best friend in the world Carlito Hill, we do this out of love, love for our culture, love for our friends and family, love for our community!!! Once again for those of you who came out thank you from the bottom of our hearts (please post pics) and mark your calendars for Saturday September 9th, 2023, Chicano Fest 3 details coming soon”

– Sincerely

Rudy Hill Southwest Detroit
Cruisin the Barrio