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Yes Yes Y’all!
Join in with a sonic, visual exploration of Southampton’s lasting hip hop legacy, and the artistic innovation and diversity that spans forty years.
From the street corner to the world stage……
Hip Hop has grown into one of the globe’s most prominent musical genres and distinctive cultural forms. This heritage experience, explores and archives Hip Hop in Southampton from the early adopters of breakdancing and graffiti in 1981 to present day artists, performers and djs that are still keeping the culture alive. This project will look at how this underground movement began and where the culture lives today. We shall shine the spotlight on the city’s diverse talent currently driving UK rap music to mainstream success, and we’ll discuss the legacy of the city’s djs, mcs, street artists and break-dancers who paved the way.
Documented for the first time…….
While artists from outside of London historically struggled to gain a foothold in the genre, the last decade has provided new ways and platforms for Southampton’s performers to get music out into the open. We look at the evolution of the culture within the city, how UK rap’s rise to mainstream has gained wide attention and why British hip-hop has been pushed further underground. Expect raw and real accounts, about Hip Hop’s impact and relevance in Southampton during the 80s, 90s and noughties in the form of interviews with pioneers and people who lived and grew up in the city 40 years ago when hip hop arrived on the south coast, many have been left out of important conversations regarding Hip Hop in the UK.
2021/22 schedule
| RECLAIM FESTIVAL | Southampton | September 25th 2021 | Details |
| LORD APEX – Smoke Sessions UK Tour | The Joiners | Saturday 30th October 2021 | Tickets |
| DE LA SOUL – 30th Anniversary Tour | Engine Rooms | Friday 18th March 2022 | Tickets |
Don’t see your event listed? Please get in touch to tell us about it.
AMBASSADORS
#1 John McAndrew
Promoter, Fundraiser and 1st Generation B-Boy living in Southampton. John McAndrew grew up during the birth of hip hop and still hosts events which continue to unite the scene. As an ambassador and valued member of the city’s wider community, he brings a wealth of information and support to the project.
“Southampton Hip Hop Heritage is set to celebrate our culture and history, there has never been better time to do it ”
#2 Stevo Dawkins
One of the foundational figures in Southampton’s Hip Hop heritage, Stevo Dawkins has been making moves for 40 years being a DJ, breaker and street dancer. As a scene staple from the golden age of the 80s to the current era, he has always been pushing boundaries within the culture, making him essential project ambassador.
“Southampton is a city full of stories so it’s a pleasure to help celebrate Hip Hop and to rediscover the legacy and people that it represents”
UNTOLD STORIES
“Doing the do since 82 … Robotics to Poppin’ to being a Bboy.”
35 years of loving the scene and it’s people – with John McAndrew
Although hip hop culture is synonymous with cities across America, such as New York and LA, the heritage will reveal that Southampton has it’s own collection of compelling stories to be shared.
Starting off ‘Untold Stories’, the memories from John McAndrew discovering breakdancing and his role as a founding member of the Aries Force Rockers that played a significant part in the city’s Hip Hop scene in its early days, and how he created the city’s first organised community led graffiti youth project.
MUSIC & VIDEO
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
We want to hear from you.
If you have been involved in the city’s Hip Hop scene at any time since the 1980s, then Southampton Hip Hop Heritage would like to hear about your experience. The project is dedicated to archiving the stories and memories of people who live here and contributed to a huge amount of activity in art, music and dance which has yet to be documented.
We’re looking for stories and items that span the four decades of Hip Hop history in the city and help authentically represent each element. If you’ve got a memory, object or perhaps your own music or artwork that you’d like to discuss with the team, please contact us.
BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION FOR THE LOVE OF HIP HOP!
Perform, Share and promote your knowledge and skills.
We are looking for talented people to get involved with Festivals, Live shows, Online Seminars and Workshops in Southampton.
It’s a chance to do your thing….We’re calling for
- DJs
- MCs
- Beatboxers
- Graffiti artists
- Breakdancers
- Music producers
- Musicians
Or help us behind the scenes, we’re looking for people to join the SHH team.
- Artists
- Illustrators
- Bloggers
- Copywriters
- Social media experts
- Web developers
PLEASE
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