Artist, rapper, and Harlem native Ferg is connecting the dots between music, community, and health at Flo Fair — a free, all-day event boasting wellness services and exclusive performances, slated to be held at Marcus Garvey Park on August 14. The City Parks Foundation-hosted fair will feature a 5K run, yoga, and a performance by the chart-topping rapper who found success as a member of hip-hop collective A$AP Mob.
“I had to live in Tulum for about a month, and I was waking up and doing yoga, getting sun, and being outside,” Ferg said to the AmNews in an exclusive call. “I’ve been doing meditation … this has been a daily routine for me and it just had me floating through my day. This is the type of stuff I thought would be cool to bring back to the neighborhood.”
Ferg came to prominence in the early 2010s as a member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob, which also includes members A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti, fusing alternative sensibilities with rap to create a sound uniquely Ferg. His biggest hits include “Work,” “Shabba Ranks,” and “Plain Jane,” and he has worked with artists who include French Montana, Future, and Mary J Blige. His latest album, “DAROLD,” was released in 2024.
Flo Fair was inspired by local health fairs his family held in Harlem to honor Ferg’s late father, Darold Ferguson, a fixture of the community who printed labels for companies like Bad Boy Records and died just days before the artist’s 17th birthday. “We offered free checkups to the community,” said Ferg, “and there would be a performance from me at a gymnasium in the projects.”
The upcoming event is much like ones of the past described by Ferg, but on a grander scale, featuring multiple ways to engage in wellness practices. Starting at 9 a.m., the day’s activities include a fitness flow class, sound baths, and interactive art curated by Ferg. “These are all just tools for the community,” explained Ferg. “I didn’t want to be super-preachy about it. These are tools that I picked up and want to introduce to people, because they did a lot for me.”
In the evening, Ferg will take the stage with openers Universal Space Jam, TGUT, and Hunter, as well as some surprise special guests, including Denzel Curry. “I picked people I could actually just text on my phone,” Ferg told the AmNews aboutselecting a tight-knit group of performers for the community-driven event. “I had to have people perform who were from Harlem … it’s friends, family, and people that I genuinely rock with.”
As access to healthcare services becomes increasingly challenging, communal resources that promote wellness are more important than ever before. “Come for the whole thing,” Ferg said, addressing New Yorkers. “Just come, have a good time.”
For more info and the full schedule for Flo Fair, visit cityparksfoundation.org.