Almost a dozen years since the charismatic Vallejo rapper Mac Dre (Andre Hicks) was gunned down in Kansas City, Missouri, his family and friends still continue to keep his legacy alive.
Yearly birthday celebrations called Mac Dre Day have taken place in Petaluma, Modesto and San Jose. But Tuesday night's Mac Dre Day at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom is the first to be hosted by his mother. She has been nicknamed Mac Wanda in reference to the honorable Mac title given to her son and a few other select rappers in Vallejo such as Mac Mall, who is on the event's bill.
Hicks was fatally shot in Kansas City, MO in 2004 after a concert there; the case remains unsolved to this day. Despite the violent end to his life, he is remembered as a distinctly creative individual who brought relaxed and humorous moments to his music and, perhaps most critically, to dangerous hoods in need of relief.
His legacy has lived on through tributes such as this as well as posthumous releases and mentions in other artist's songs. His image has become iconic in Bay Area hip-hop, leading to a never-ending supply of merchandise including T-shirts, Halloween masks, energy drinks, bobbleheads, and sneakers.
Tuesday's all ages event also includes appearances by Mistah F.A.B., Kool John, Baby Bash, J. Diggs, DJ Amen, DJ Shabazz and a special secret guest.
