Well, let’s just admit it: summer is coming to a close. Labor Day has passed, the nights are cooler, and school is back in session. Yet, there is a way to ease out of summer gracefully and dance your way into fall: a free concert in Rittenhouse Park.

Tonight, the popular Philadelphia group, Black Landlord will be shaking the trees with their funky mix of hip-hop, funk, and old-school soul. Straight outta Philly, Black Landlord is set on collecting the rent and paying dues.

The band’s founder, Maxx Stoyanoff-Williams, was lead rapper of The Goats (Ruff House Records; Cypress Hill, The Fugees, Kriss Kross) where he became politically motivated musically and helped write the groundbreaking LP Tricks of the Shade.

With Black Landlord, Williams sought out his drummer friend Bob Bannon, and together they turned electro hip-hop tracks into something organic and a super-band was born. Combining all the elements of a Motown review with classic old school Hip-Hop, this innovative band has brought a fresh sound into Philadelphia.

The live shows are filled with the energy of a back yard BBQ or North Philly Block party. Set to release their self titled debut album on Rope-A-Dope Digital, Black Landlord is, at the end of the day, friends playing music together that makes them happy, while making the room (or in this case, the park) shake.

Black Landlord concludes the annual “Concerts in the Park” series, sponsored by Philadelphia Weekly.

Free, Rittenhouse Park, 8pm.
www.blacklandlord.com