Kool G Rap & Dell-P To Bring Philly Together With Good Jawn Music Festival

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August 21, 2026

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What began as one independent artist’s vision became a celebration of West Philadelphia’s creative spirit as Dell-P has launched the inaugural Good Jawn Music Festival, a community-driven event designed to spotlight the city’s homegrown Hip-Hop talent and entrepreneurs.

Held on The Lawn, the festival blended live music, local businesses, food vendors and neighborhood pride into what organizers hope becomes an annual tradition.

The motivation was simple.

“As an independent artist I felt like it was time that we have a yearly festival that represents our city to the fullest,” he said to The Local “I have always lived by the phrase ‘be the change that you wanna see’… Philadelphia has the dopest artists in the world and I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure that it’s known.”

Rather than centering the event around himself, Dell-P built the festival around collaboration. First of all, he linked with Kool G Rap, the legendary rap pioneer to co-headline the whole thing. The pair have performed together in the past, most recently at the City Winery of Philadelphia.

Also, organizations like WordSmith Entertainment, Two Locals Brewing, Jazz On The Ave, Lyrically Fit, The Hip-Hop Foundation, Artists First Inc. and Uptown Radio 98.5 FM joined sponsors, DJs, vendors and volunteers.

The festival also represented the next step in a foundation Dell-P has spent years building through the WordSmith Experience, his monthly showcase at Khyber Pass Pub that has become a platform for emerging Philadelphia artists.

“Building this platform has allowed me to highlight other aspiring Hip-Hop artists who have great messages that deserve to be heard,” Dell-P said.

That philosophy shaped the festival’s lineup, giving performers who have been developing their craft throughout the year an opportunity to perform before larger hometown audiences.

Beyond the music, The Good Jawn Music Festival featured Black-owned businesses, artists and neighborhood entrepreneurs selling food, clothing, artwork and handcrafted goods. DJs Waxspinner and Greg Nice provided music throughout the day as attendees moved between vendor booths, performances and community gatherings.

Families, longtime neighborhood residents, young creatives and local supporters filled the space, creating an atmosphere centered on fellowship as much as entertainment.

Among those struck by the event was Revive Radio’s P.O.C., who pointed to the sense of unity throughout the afternoon.

“Seeing Black men smiling and celebrating each other was powerful. It felt like bringing that true brotherly love back to the Westside.”

The visible support between artists stood out as one of the day’s defining moments, with performers embracing one another onstage and off while celebrating each other’s accomplishments instead of competing for attention.

For Dell-P, that spirit reflects what Hip-Hop should represent.

“The Good Jawn Music Festival gives the city a breath of fresh air. We represent Hip-Hop in its purest form,” he said.

His greatest reward, however, came from watching artists he has mentored and supported through the WordSmith Experience perform in front of family, friends and their own community.

“Seeing artists that I believe in getting to perform in front of their family and friends is a priceless feeling.”

If the inaugural Good Jawn Music Festival is any indication, Dell-P’s vision extends well beyond a single afternoon. It’s an investment in Philadelphia’s artists, its neighborhoods and a Hip-Hop culture rooted in community, opportunity and hometown pride.