Hip Hop Festival
EMCEES
"MC" or "Emcee" means "master of ceremonies," a title earned through live performance prowess. Pre-digital era, artists like "Biggie" built reputations on stage charisma, not just recordings. An MC's title reflects superior performance artistry, distinguishing them in engaging audiences with lyrical depth, storytelling, and vocal creativity, beyond mere rapping.
BREAKIN (Bboy/Bgirl)
Breakdancing, also known as breaking, b-boying, or b-girling, is an athletic and improvisational street dance with elements like toprock, drops, downrock, power moves, and freezes. It thrives on competition, especially in "break battles," and suits any strong beat music. In 2024, it debuts in the Olympics.
DJ
A DJ blends and crafts new beats with mixers and turntables, manipulating sounds for unique creations, and communicates with the audience through the records. Skills include scratching, beat juggling, seamless transitions, and engaging listeners. Through cratedigging, DJs curate a diverse music library. Royce Da 5'9" highlighted to DJ Premier, "We both speak our hands in dangerous ways," underscoring how DJs converse with their audience through their musical selections.
GRAFFITI
Art's expression varies, but graffiti consistently transforms urban spaces into vibrant canvases of creativity. This art form, blending written words with visual flair, conveys messages ranging from social to personal, using the aerosol can as a tool. Originating in the late 1960s in New York City's Black and Latino neighborhoods, graffiti's bond with hip-hop culture reflects its roots in street subcultures, showcasing a powerful medium for community and individual voice.
