Wolfpack Steps into ‘Hip Hop Time Machine’

Petey Pablo crowd surfing during his performance at Packapalooza, on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. Petey Pablo headlined the concert portion of the event on Hillsborough Street. Photo by Victoria Crocker.

Staff Report

Following two years of North Carolina native Scotty McCreery heading the Packapolooza concert, some of the state’s most well-known hip-hop artists visited Raleigh to take the stage Saturday night.

Across from the Bell Tower, lights and graphics lit up Hillsborough Street as hundreds chanted along with and watched a few of the state’s hip-hop favorites perform live after the annual allday block party and street festival.

Headliners Rapsody, 9th Wonder, Petey Pablo, Nappy Roots, Terminator X and DJ DVS altogether held the title of the “Wolfpack Hip Hop Time Machine.”

“I thought the concert was great. I enjoyed the location by the Bell Tower, it gave the entertainment a better student-spirit feeling,” said Sadie Red Wing a graduate student studying grapphic design. “I was super excited to see Petey Pablo perform. I come from the rural Midwest, where we don’t have access to much hip hop talent.”

“To know that Petey is from North Carolina and participates in local events, is really exciting to me. I’ve been a fan since middle school days,” said Red Wing. “I also really enjoyed that Nappy Roots was performing, as I’ve been a fan of them, too.”

Rapper Petey Pablo ended the night with a crowd surf and shared the stage with Chancellor Randy Woodson who played a guitar solo.

“When Rapsody and Nappy roots came out I was pleasantly surprised,” said Jasmine Kent, a first year grad student studying industrial design.

Crowd favorite Petey Pablo is from Greenville, North Carolina and the founder of his independent label, Carolina Music Group.

“I thought it was pretty awesome how they stayed true to North Carolina roots, it was fun,” Kent said.

Kent said she enjoyed her first Packapalooza and it was great way to start the year.

Reports say there was an estimated 50,000 people who came to Hillsborough Street for the annual festival.