The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is a celebration of the arts in downtown Pittsburgh unlike any other in the nation. Each of its world-class, multi-disciplinary performing and visual arts attractions is free to attend and open to everyone.

Schedule:

Sugarhill Gang & The Furious Five

About the Sugarhill Gang

In 1979, the Sugarhill Gang crashed through the walls of the urban cities and into the mainstream of society with the first worldwide rap hit, "Rapper's Delight." Two of the original members of this historic group, Wonder Mike (Michael Wright) and Master Gee (Guy O’Brien) had teamed up with Henry Jackson (pka Big Bank Hank) to become the now famous Sugarhill Gang.

Sugarhill Gang is believed by many to be the first professional Hip Hop group, because they introduced to the masses (both in the United States and overseas) this unprecedented genre of music. “Rapper's Delight” eventually sold over 8 million copies, and went on to be the biggest selling rap single of all time. Even today, it continues to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Shortly thereafter, the Sugarhill Gang released such hits as “Apache,” “8th Wonder” and “Living in the Fast Lane.” Wonder Mike and Master Gee teamed up with Henry Williams (aka Hendogg) and DJ T. Dynasty both who has performed with the group for 20 years and counting creating new music, while still pleasing the crowds with their greatest hits.

In the Summer of 2009, they released their first song in 25 years with international DJ phenom Bob Sinclair called “LaLa Song,” which quickly became an uber hit overseas, securing Song of the Year for many European countries, including Italy. The hit single is currently being released in the United States.

Wonder Mike, Master Gee, Hendogg and DJ Dynasty continue their tradition of creating a party atmosphere that makes everyone dance the night away as they perform for sold out crowds throughout the world.

About the Furious 5

The legendary Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5 were the first rap group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They took the world by storm with the iconic single, “The Message,” which was ranked by Rolling Stone as the “number one rap song of all time.” The Hip Hop culture has become a multibillion dollar industry that has impacted every major industry of the economy. The Furious 5 have created the blueprint for so many artists of today.

Their music has had a major impact in the Hip Hop culture and continues to accumulate awards. The group was recently honored on the Bronx Walk of Fame, with a street named after them. “The Message” was the first rap song that contained social commentary, and is in the archives of the Library of Congress for its social relevance. It was the first Hip Hop record inducted in to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2013 and the group received the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.

The group revolutionized the genre of rap and helped to create the template for the industry that exists today. They’ve opened the doors for rap artists .

The group continues to tour performing their groundbreaking songs with Mele Mel, Scorpio, Rahiem and Bar Shon.