Nearly 600 students flocked to Roble Field on Sunday to watch Hip Hop artist Lupe Fiasco perform at Blackfest 2007, an annual event that celebrates the culture of the African Diaspora.

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Blackfest on Roble Field this past Sunday. #gallery http://daily.stanford.org/image/full/7521
John Shen

Blackfest on Roble Field this past Sunday.

This year’s festivities, which were sponsored in part by Stanford Concert Network and the Black Community Services Center, attracted a diverse crowd of students from all over Northern California, including UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley, UC-Santa Cruz, San Jose State University and the University of San Francisco. Attendees enjoyed Caribbean cuisine and soul food, perused merchandise from local jewelry and clothing vendors and watched performances by groups like JAM PAC’D and Catch-a-Fyah.

According to Marcus McLaughlin ‘08, who co-chaired the Blackfest Committee along with Adeolu Alamutu ‘08, Lupe Fiasco’s performance lived up to the hype.

“Lupe’s performance was great,” McLaughlin said in an email. “He did a great job of entertaining the crowd with his energy and music. Living up to his reputation and the hype which preceded him, he performed while riding a skateboard around the stage.”

While the annual event’s meaning has evolved over the years, the elements of fun and community have remained constant, said Blackfest’s Director of Activities Evan Cox ‘09.

“Traditionally, it’s been a celebration of Diasporic culture,” Cox said. “Recently, it’s kind of become an event in the Bay Area where members of the African Diaspora get together and hang out. It’s really just a great event that’s open to people of all races who want to experience the culture.”