Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2023, and from August 21 through August 27, Milwaukee is throwing it a hell of a party.
Yes, the city-sponsored Hip-Hop Week MKE returns this week with a slew of events, concerts, film screenings, seminars, and more. Founded by Alderman Khalif J. Rainey in 2018, HHW places just as much emphasis on things like wellness and civic engagement as it does music. Hip-hop may be 50 in 2023, but the 2023 Hip-Hop Week MKE is all about “celebrating 50 years of culture.”
So here’s the schedule, complete with shows from The Pharcyde and Moneybagg Yo, and events like a breakdance battle and chess tournament. Happy Hip-Hop Week, Milwaukee!
AUGUST 21
12PM – 12:45PM
HIP-HOP LUNCH & LEARN
Presented By: City Clerk-License Division
Learn what licensing you will need to start a business or have your questions answered regarding your existing business.
CITY HALL, ROOM 303
200 E. WELLS ST.
*Lunch will be provided
1PM – 2PM
PRESS CONFERENCE
Launch of Hip-Hop Week with sponsors and supporters.
CITY HALL ROTUNDA
200 E. WELLS ST.
5:30PM – 7:30PM
POWER HOUR: A CONVERSATION ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Keynote Speaker: Councilman Duprè Kelly
With: Homer Blow
CITY HALL ROTUNDA
200 E. WELLS ST.
9PM – 12:00AM
HIP-HOP UNWINED
With: Dj Gemini Gilly
TRUTH LOUNGE
1111 N. DR. MLK JR. DRIVE
AUGUST 22
2PM – 6PM
BREAKDANCE BATTLE & CHESS TOURNAMENT
Special Guest: King Uprock
THE IVY HOUSE
906 S. BARCLAY ST.
6PM – 8PM
DEE – 1
Conversation with youth and young adults: exploring how Hip-Hop can combat violence in our neighborhoods.
GEE’S CLIPPERS
2200 N. DR. MLK JR. DRIVE
9PM – 11:30PM
MKE HIP-HOP WEEK SHOWCASE
Featuring: Dope Music Crew, Twan Mack, Swade Trackz, Rusty P’s
NO STUDIOS
1037 W. MCKINLEY AVE.
*Ticket raffle for Jadakiss concert
AUGUST 23
7:00AM – 7:30AM
SPINNMKE CLASS
With: Dj Dub Deezy
309 W. BROWN STREET
*Register for the class at SpinnMKE.com – Use code: hiphop50
12PM – 1PM
HIP-HOP STROLL
Presented By: Dept. of Employee Relations (BAA ERG)
Join members of the Black African American Employee Resource Group (BAA ERG) for an engaging and vibrant walk filled with music in downtown Milwaukee.
CITY HALL ROTUNDA
200 E. WELLS ST.
*Snacks will be provided
8:00PM
JADAKISS
Special Guests: Boldy James, Stove God Cooks
THE RAVE/EAGLES CLUB
2401 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
*Tickets must be purchased. Visit therave.com for more information.
AUGUST 24
12PM – 12:45PM
HIP-HOP LUNCH & LEARN
Presented By: Dept. of City Development
Learn how to purchase homes from the City of Milwaukee.
CITY HALL, ROOM 303
200 E. WELLS ST.
*Lunch will be provided
12PM – 4PM
HIP-HOP WEEK MKE JOB FAIR
Sponsored By: Ascension
With: Dj Nick Stokes
ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL
5000 W. CHAMBERS ST.
4:30PM – 6:30PM
FINANCIAL LITERACY DISCUSSION WITH DR. BOYCE WATKINS
Discussion on economics and the 10 commandments of black economic power.
Hosted By: 15th District Alderman Russell Stamper, II
RISE AND GRIND CAFÉ
2737 N. DR. MLK JR. DRIVE
*Register at eventbrite.com/e/dr-boyce-watkins-tickets-697214787197
7PM – 10PM
HIP-HOP WEEK IN FILM: MENACE TO SOCIETY
ORIENTAL THEATRE
2300 N. FARWELL AVE.
9PM – 11:30PM
THE LEGEND RETURNS: BABY DREW
WITH CIGARETTE BREAK
Featuring: Dj Mister Martin
Special Guests: Munch Lauren, Mani Imani
Hosted By: Scalez & Ray Rizzy
MR. B’S
8617 W. BROWN DEER RD.
10:00PM
THE MILWAUKEE HIP-HOP SHOWCASE
Presented By: Breaking & Entering
Featuring: WillOnWater, AmMarcAndrew, Lady Sabo
Sounds By: Topher
THE WICKED HOP
345 N. BROADWAY
AUGUST 25
6:15AM
SPINNMKE CLASS
With: Dj Dub Deezy
309 W. BROWN STREET
*Register for the class at SpinnMKE.com – Use code: hiphop50
5PM – 8PM
A CONVERSATION WITH DAME DASH: BETTING ON YOURSELF, BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH
Moderator: Kevin Newell, Founder & CEO of Royal Capital Group
Hosted By: Reggie ‘Smooth Az Butta’ Brown of v100.7 FM
BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
212 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
8:00PM
THE PHARCYDE
THE RAVE/EAGLES CLUB
2401 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
*Tickets must be purchased. Visit therave.com for more information.
8:00PM
BABYFACE RAY
THE RAVE/EAGLES CLUB
2401 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
*Tickets must be purchased. Visit therave.com for more information.
9:00PM
HIP-HOP WEEK IN FILM: BELLY
ORIENTAL THEATRE
2300 N. FARWELL AVE.
AUGUST 26
12PM – 2PM
FORUM: WOMEN IN HIP-HOP
Moderator: Jasmine Tyler
Participants: Element Everest Blanks, Mani Imani, JVST BRI, Dj TruStar, Alesia Nicole
5 POINTS ART GALLERY + STUDIOS
3514 N. PORT WASHINGTON AVE.
2PM – 6PM
HHW MUSIC AUX PARTY
Come prepared to have your favorite song or beats played.
Hosted By: Philmore Greene
BROWNSTONE SOCIAL LOUNGE
524 N. WATER ST.
3:00PM
HIP-HOP WEEK IN FILM: “HIP-HOP: BEYOND BEATS & RHYTHMS”
Post screen talkback.
ORIENTAL THEATRE
2300 N. FARWELL AVE.
7PM – 10PM
RED CARPET MOVIE PREMIERE: THE HOLE IN DA WALL
Presented By: ITS JUST MONEY ENT&FILMS
AMC MAYFAIR MALL 18
2500 N MAYFAIR RD.
*Tickets only being sold at BOUCHARD’s (7600 W. Captiol Dr.)
9PM – 12AM
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY TO HIP-HOP WITH LARGE PROFESSOR
Hosted By: Greg Nice
NO STUDIOS
1037 W. MCKINLEY AVE.
*Purchase tickets on eventbrite.com or at the door
AUGUST 27
12PM – 4PM
2ND ALDERMANIC DISTRICT BACK TO SCHOOL FEST
Free book bags with school supplies, a bike raffle, free burgers and hot dogs (while supplies last), free hair braiding & haircuts available on a first come, first serve basis and more.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE PARK
7301 W. COURTLAND AVE.
2PM – 4PM
MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATION WITH G HERBO & CHAD “C NOTE” ROPER
SHERMAN PHOENIX
3536 W. FOND DU LAC AVE.
7:00PM
MONEYBAGG YO
Special Guests: Finesse2Tymes, Sexxy Red, Luh Tyler, Big Boogie and YTB Fatt
FISERV FORUM
1111 VEL R. PHILLIPS AVE.
*Tickets must be purchased. Visit fiservforum.com/events for more information.
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