Pittsburgh is getting ready for a night that blends generations of music, culture, and nightlife together under one roof.

On Friday, May 29th, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center will host Old School New School: After Dark, featuring legendary hip-hop DJ and entertainer Kid Capri alongside Pittsburgh’s own DJ Big Phill and DJ KB.

For many hip-hop fans, Kid Capri isn’t just another DJ — he’s a piece of hip-hop history. Long before social media DJs, streaming playlists, and viral mixes, Kid Capri built his name through raw energy, live crowds, mixtapes, radio, and unforgettable party atmospheres. His influence helped shape what DJ culture became across the country.

Now that energy is making its way to Downtown Pittsburgh.

But this event is bigger than just one name on a flyer. It represents something many people feel Pittsburgh nightlife has been missing lately an event built around music, culture, grown crowds, and nostalgia. The title itself, Old School New School, speaks directly to different generations coming together through music that defined eras while still connecting with today’s audience.

Local DJs like DJ Big Phill and DJ KB have spent years helping shape Pittsburgh’s party and entertainment scene. From packed clubs and community events to major concerts and nightlife experiences, both DJs understand how music can bring people together regardless of age or background.

The August Wilson Center also adds another layer to the event. Known as one of Pittsburgh’s most important cultural institutions, the venue creates a different atmosphere than the typical nightlife setting. Instead of just another party, the night feels more like a celebration of hip-hop culture, Black culture, and the lasting impact music has had on the city.

I’ll also be sitting down with DJ Big Phill to talk about Pittsburgh nightlife, DJ culture, how the scene has changed over the years, and what people can expect from this event. The conversation will dive into the evolution of the city’s party scene, the importance of DJs in shaping nightlife, and why events like this still matter in today’s entertainment culture.

In today’s era where many nightlife events come and go quickly through social media promotion, nights like this stand out because they tap into something deeper — memories, experiences, and the feeling people had during different eras of music. Whether someone grew up listening to old-school hip-hop or newer generations discovering the legends that paved the way, events like this bridge that gap.

With Kid Capri headlining and Pittsburgh DJs helping set the tone, Old School New School: After Dark has the potential to be one of the city’s most talked-about nights this spring.

The event takes place Friday, May 29th at 9 PM at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center located at 980 Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.

What inspired the idea behind Old School New School: After Dark?

If I’m correct, I believe it was conceived by Janis Burley, and I think it’s a play on the classic show Playboy After Dark, where you had artists performing in an intimate setting and everyone in attendance was well-dressed and participated in the experience. I can’t say for sure that was the vision, but that’s the vision I see when I think of it.

How important is it to bring legendary names like Kid Capri to Pittsburgh?

Bringing artists such as Kid Capri is paramount to the 412 because, first and foremost, he is a respected DJ in the culture, fits the aesthetic for the event, and is definitely a legitimate party rocker.

What does Kid Capri mean to DJ culture and hip-hop history?

Kid Capri means a lot to the culture because not only is he a respected figure from the classic mixtape era, but for many people, he was the first DJ they saw live every week via Def Comedy Jam.

How has Pittsburgh nightlife changed from the old days to now?

The one thing is that there are legitimate choices. Social media will have you believing that’s not the case, but there are multiple things to do every night. It’s just that everything isn’t for everyone. There are a lot of choices, and that’s a good thing in my opinion.

What separates a great DJ from somebody just playing songs?

This is such a layered question, and I’m going to say it like this: a good DJ knows what to play and when to play it. Anyone can create a playlist and let some songs play, and some people will enjoy that as well. But a good DJ provides an experience that just “playing songs” will never create. We set the tone for the event.

Do you think the city still supports true nightlife culture the way it used to?

The city has more options than it ever has had before, so I think the landscape has first and foremost changed. So I’ll just say yes, but it’s different.

What era of music gets the best reaction from crowds today?

This question has some nuance because the reaction from the crowd depends on the crowd. For instance, one of the things DJs need to understand is that it isn’t always about what you want to play — it’s about what the crowd wants. The key is figuring out how to give them what they want while still staying within your own wheelhouse or flavor. As a DJ, your job is to take the crowd on a journey throughout the night and provide an experience that gets that reaction. There isn’t one particular genre — it’s whatever the party dictates and how well the DJ can deliver what the crowd wants and what they didn’t even know they needed.

What’s one Pittsburgh nightlife memory you’ll never forget?

So many. I would say going from watching my favorite artists to sharing the stage with my favorite artists. I know that doesn’t seem like a nightlife moment, but it is. I would also add that every time I rock with my “UNION” DJ family, it’s always a night to remember.

How important is the August Wilson Center as a venue for events like this?

The AWC is paramount not just to this city, but to Black culture and the arts as a whole. I’m blessed to have a personal relationship with the center. As a matter of fact, they were the first ones to believe in my vision for Collections in Black, and I had a very successful exhibit there two years ago. My only issue is that we need more of us to understand the importance of the AWC and support the space on each and every level.

What can people expect the night of May 29th?

All I have to say is that if you miss it, it’s on you. Kid Capri, me, and my fellow UNION DJ, DJ KB… good-looking people, good music, the perfect atmosphere — it’s going to be a night like none other. No drama whatsoever, just a good time.

What advice would you give young DJs trying to build a name today?

I would say learn the basics first, practice, get with someone who is already doing it, and ask if you can tag along and learn the ropes. Don’t be so eager to go out and DJ. Sit back and respect the process.

Is Pittsburgh underrated when it comes to music and entertainment culture?

It’s weird because so many artists come from this city in so many genres, but it would seem as if the city gets no love when it’s actually the exact opposite. The internet will have you believing nothing is going on or nobody is doing anything, when that is the furthest thing from the truth. The 412 has a rich history when it comes to the arts that can’t even be disputed.