FLINT, Michigan — The Dayton Family will headline a community-centered Hip-Hop concert at the FIM Capitol Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 10, in honor of 810 Day, a day that celebrates Flint’s music culture and area code.
Eballer Touring organizes the event and includes a full lineup of artists and tributes that reflect the past, present, and future of Flint Hip-Hop.
According to Ira “Bootleg” Dorsey, a member of The Dayton Family, the goal of the event is simple: unity. “810 Day is a day that signifies unity,” said Dorsey in an interview. “We want to celebrate that unity and acknowledge a day that's designed to celebrate the accomplishments of Flint Hip-Hop from the beginning to now.”
The annual date, which takes place each Aug. 10, holds particular meaning for local fans of the genre. But Dorsey believes the impact of Flint’s Hip-Hop scene extends far beyond the city.
“810 Day is also a day to celebrate everything Hip-Hop has done, not just locally but all around the country. Hip-Hop has touched people all over the world,” he said. “To us, it's just a day of unity and coming together to give fans something that they wouldn't ordinarily see in a local Flint concert.”
The lineup features veteran artists such as 8Ball & MJG, Top Authority, and Jake the Flake, as well as The Dayton Family. There will also be a tribute to late Flint artist MC Breed, performed by his daughter, Erica Breed, alongside MJ from Memphis.
Additional tributes will honor figures like Ray Furlough, Big Cheese the promoter, and other local artists who have passed away.
Dorsey said the idea to bring The Dayton Family back to the FIM Capitol Theatre for 810 Day was intentional. “The Dayton Family and MC Breed is the foundation that Flint Hip-Hop was built on,” he said. “So on 810 Day, we’ve got to have the foundation there and bring on all the upcoming artists from Flint that are doing great things.”
In addition to celebrating familiar names, the event is also designed to uplift newer artists.
“There will be some artists that people may have never heard of,” Dorsey said. “It is the time to introduce those artists to the public of Flint because we see it as passing the baton to support and let other artists be seen and showcase their music. This is the perfect venue and event to do that.”
With the newly renovated FIM Capitol Theatre as the backdrop, Dorsey said fans can expect a full experience. “There are going to be amazing performances, tributes, and moments,” he said. “To see it all on the Capitol stage with the lighting and backdrops, it’s going to be an experience for the Flint community to witness their hometown artists on a major stage.”
Dorsey added that the community response has already been overwhelmingly positive. “My phone hasn't stopped ringing since we announced this,” he said. “Tickets are flying out the door, and I advise anybody who hasn't got their tickets to get them, because this is guaranteed to be a sellout event.”
In addition to the performances, fans who purchase all-access passes will be able to enjoy food, drinks, meet-and-greets with artists, photo opportunities, and memorabilia signings. “It’s going to be a night of just coming together and celebrating Flint Hip-Hop,” said Dorsey.
He emphasized that the event is also about setting a positive tone and proving what’s possible when artists collaborate.
“This event represents unity and showing people that Flint can put on a major event and celebrate one another in harmony,” he said. “Everything doesn’t have to be competitive. We come together as artists to show one united front for Flint Hip-Hop.”
Dorsey highlighted the role of the community in making the event possible.
“I want to make sure we thank all the Eballer team for putting this event on,” he said. “I want to thank Erica Breed and MJ for coming from Atlanta and Memphis to do the Breed tribute, and I want to thank all the artists that came to the forefront to do this major event for the city of Flint.”
The 810 Day Concert takes place Saturday, Aug. 10, at the FIM Capitol Theatre in downtown Flint. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 810-347-3201 or online here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.