From August 11th to August 26th, the Ferro Gashouder in Rotterdam was buzzing with excitement. Why? Because Hip-Hop turned 50, and it was time to celebrate! The star of the show was the American photo exhibition “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop,” featuring legendary photos that have shaped hip-hop culture worldwide.

This exhibition included exclusive, unedited contact sheets of the famous photos. It was as if you were stepping into the photographer’s shoes, right in the heart of the action.

Those iconic Notorious B.I.G. portraits by Barron Claiborne? Check!

Janette Beckman’s epic Salt-n-Pepa photos? Check!

During the opening weekend from August 11th to 13th, you could immerse yourself in talks, parties, and live performances. The hiphop ensemble OMA from Manchester delivered a dynamic tribute to hip-hop with classics from Wu-Tang, MF Doom, and more. Rotterdam’s MC Winne curated a lineup featuring the best artists from five different hip-hop generations. And of course, Fab Five Freddy was there to take us on a journey through 50 years of hip-hop history.

And the afterparties? They were legendary! With DJs like Mr. Nice Guy, Mae, Edson, Vic Crezée, Mixturess, and Ray Escobar, they provided a visual spectacle and kept us dancing all night long.

This party will go down in history as one of the best birthdays hip-hop has ever had.

Hiphop for life!

In August we’ve just wrapped up the 25th edition of the Notorious IBE in Heerlen, and boy, was it a party! Did you know that our director, Aruna Vermeulen, has been a part of this event for a whopping 25 years – talk about dedication!

Pre IBE Jam

To kick things off, we teamed up with Next Level on August 3rd for an epic pre-Jam. Next Level, backed by the U.S. Department of State, aims to bridge cultures through HipHop music, art, and dance. It was an unforgettable night where American talents like Kujo & Junious, Denise “Sincerity” Garcia, King Khazm, ERAS, and Konee Rok shared their skills with our Hiphophuis community. DJs kept the vibe going during a special Open Practice.

25 Years of IBE
Now, onto the main event! Hiphophuis rocked IBE with the screening of our new documentary, “Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants,” as part of Hip Hop Cinefest. It gave us a deep dive into the start of hip hop culture in Rotterdam.

But the highlight was our Powertalk, delving into “WHY we dance VS HOW to dance: A conversation between Hip Hop educators.” Hip hop educators from around the globe discussed what they’re teaching and preserving in an ever-evolving scene influenced by competitions and capitalism.

Moderated by Aruna and Aysha Upchurch, our panelists Menno, Hassani, Big Tara, Junious, and Kujo brought diverse insights to the table.

IBE remains a hub where communities unite to celebrate the essence of hip hop, beyond battles and parties. It’s a testament to the love and passion we all share for this culture.

It’s no secret that hip-hop is a global movement, and this year Next Level took that notion even further. With partners like the U.S. Department of State, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Meridian International Center, Next Level dedicated itself to promoting cross-cultural exchange through hip-hop music, art, and dance. They achieved this by collaborating with U.S. embassies and consulates to create residencies in communities around the world. This year, American hip-hop artists and educators teamed up with Hiphophuis to deliver jams, talks, and performances.

Pre-IBE Jam: Hip-Hop Vibes with Next Level
Before The Notorious IBE kicked off, Hiphophuis brought us an unmissable Pre-IBE Jam.This time, we joined forces with Next Level, injecting an extra dose of energy into the mix.With incredible names like KUJO, SINCERITY GARCIA, ERAS, KING KHAZM, KONEE, ROK, and AYSHA UPCHURCH, all part of the Next Level team, this jam was truly “next level.” Together with Hassani Le Coveur, we curated an evening with awesome DJ sets, where everyone could freely train and come together.

IBE’s Documentary Screening: Dancing on The Shoulders of Giants
At the 25th edition of The Notorious IBE, there was more than just battles and showcases. A highlight for Hiphophuis was the screening of the mini-documentary “Dancing on The

Shoulders of Giants.” This event was the perfect place to showcase the mini-documentary, as IBE is the epicenter where the greats of the breaking scene come together. It was a tribute to
the history of IBE while offering a glimpse into the future.

POWERTALK: WHY we dance VS HOW to dance: A conversation between HipHopeducators
On Saturday, August 5th, Hiphophuis hosted a Powertalk during IBE in collaboration with Next Level. Led by Aruna and Aysha, participants were treated to a conversation that delved= deeper than just moves and beats. With inspiring panelists like Menno, Hassani, Big Tara, Junious, and Kujo, the discussion revolved around the reasons why the panelists dance and
how they dance. It provided significant insights into the thoughts behind the moves.

Looking back on The Notorious IBE 2023 is a celebration in itself. With Next Level’s global impact, the incredible Pre-IBE Jam, and the inspiring conversations during the event, it was an experience that will stay with us for a long time. Here’s to next year, where new vibes, moves, and connections await us!

On June 30, 2023, Hiphophuis and Nieuwe Instituut brought an explosive mix of culture, history and good food. The special edition of FamilieFest was a tribute to the abolition of slavery and brought families and children together to enjoy the traditional dish, Heri Heri.

Heri Heri: A dish with a story
Heri Heri, meaning ‘to heal’, is not just any dish; it is infused with history. Once prepared and eaten by enslaved people on plantations during the transatlantic slave trade, this casserole dish is now a delicious delicacy. Made from cassava, sweet potato, egg, bakkeljauw and banana, Heri Heri brings flavor and history together. Chef Manuela Goncalves Tavares and her team at Het Nieuwe Café brought this dish to life.

The Program
In the Capoeira workshop the Afro-Brazilian martial art came to life, while the Anyisa-folding workshop revealed to us the profound meaning of the Surinamese headscarf. Kenneth Olbina took us on a journey to the origins of Tambú, the Curaçao dance, music and instrument that connected enslaved people through their own secret language.

The FamilieFest was the perfect event for the 1st screening of the mini documentary “Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants“. This documentary takes us back to the Rotterdam HipHop scene of the 80s and 90s, a nostalgic journey that has just begun.

Hiphophuis X FamilieFest was not just another day; it was a party full of history, culture and connections.

What happens when you blend the energy of HipHop, the power of dance, and the warmth of community? Well, you get Make A Scene 2023.

This year, the success of Make A Scene 2023 wasn’t just about dope moves; it was also the result of fantastic collaborations with our partners. From Poppodium Annabel, opening its doors for dance workshops and the International Dance League, to Moving Sounds – these partners made it possible to curate a diverse and dynamic program.

At the heart of Make A Scene 2023 was the theme “Dancing on The Shoulders of Giants.” This theme bridged two significant milestones: commemorating Keti Koti and celebrating the 50th anniversary of HipHop. This was more than just a party; it was a tribute to the rich history of HipHop in Rotterdam while simultaneously building a radiant future for the culture.

The Program
The day kicked off with workshops where the youngest dancers could shine, customizing their denim jackets like true artists. Following that, the ‘family battle’ brought generations together for a dance spectacle showcasing that HipHop is for all ages. Outdoors, a block party unfolded, with delectable food and live performances elevating the atmosphere even more.

It wasn’t just about dance and music – Make A Scene 2023 also ignited profound discussions.The Teachers Panel and the Powertalk with Mitchell Esajas brought seasoned educators and influential speakers together to explore the connections between HipHop and culture. These conversations prompted participants to contemplate and discover fresh perspectives.

A Movement
We can affirm that Make A Scene is more than an event; it’s a movement that uplifts,celebrates, and spreads HipHop culture. This year demonstrated that even with a more condensed setup, the impact remains. HipHop continues to flourish, and so does Make A Scene. As a community, we persist in dancing on the shoulders of those who came before us!

What happens when you blend the energy of HipHop, the power of dance, and the warmth of community? Well, you get Make A Scene 2023.

This year, the success of Make A Scene 2023 wasn’t just about dope moves; it was also the result of fantastic collaborations with our partners. From Poppodium Annabel, opening its doors for dance workshops and the International Dance League, to Moving Sounds – these partners made it possible to curate a diverse and dynamic program.

At the heart of Make A Scene 2023 was the theme “Dancing on The Shoulders of Giants.” This theme bridged two significant milestones: commemorating Keti Koti and celebrating the 50th anniversary of HipHop. This was more than just a party; it was a tribute to the rich history of HipHop in Rotterdam while simultaneously building a radiant future for the
culture.

THE PROGRAM

The day kicked off with workshops where the youngest dancers could shine, customizing their denim jackets like true artists. Following that, the family battle; brought generations together for a dance spectacle showcasing that HipHop is for all ages. Outdoors, a block party unfolded, with delectable food and live performances elevating the atmosphere even
more.

It wasn’t just about dance and music – Make A Scene 2023 also ignited profound discussions. The Teachers Panel and the Powertalk with Mitchell Esajas brought seasoned educators and influential speakers together to explore the connections between HipHop and culture. These conversations prompted participants to contemplate and discover fresh perspectives.

A MOVEMENT

We can affirm that Make A Scene is more than an event; it’s a movement that uplifts, celebrates, and spreads HipHop culture. This year demonstrated that even with a more condensed setup, the impact remains. HipHop continues to flourish, and so does Make A Scene. As a community, we persist in dancing on the shoulders of those who came before
us!

Back with a Bang! After not being able to organise Make A Scene for two years due to the pandemic, Make A Scene on June 25, 2022 was more than a mood and a vibe. It was on a whole other frequency.

From IDL battles, talks, roller skate jams, live performances, a Powertalk and afterparties with an international lineup and the hottest DJ’s!

We’re grateful to everyone that worked hard to pull this together, our program partners, contributors, dancers, artists and everyone that showed up and showed all the way out!

After a successful first edition, we had to throw another jam!

That’s why we ended the summer and started the new season with a day full of positive vibes, music and ‘treats’ for our community on September 12, 2021 at Museumpark Rotterdam for the HipHopHuis Roller Skating Jam!

On this day we pay tribute to the black roller skating culture and organize roller dance workshops to end with a roller skate jam for young and old. Of course we don’t party without good food so we got that covered with BBQ by Komproeven. Didn’t have time for the hairdresser? Just stop by Mr Winter’s pop-up barbershop.

Summer Dreams full of community events, club nights, roller skating jams and much more! Together we shine brighter than the sun.

The Summer School is from 4 July to 31 August ’22. In addition to a lot of open practice slots, our teachers each organize their own event and invite a guest teacher and DJ of their choice. Dive into new ways of moving, connecting, expressing yourself and growing as a dancer and creative. We provide the snacks & drinks. Come as you are!

HOUSE RHYTHM AND MUSICALITY W/ TAMARA, REDCHILD (DE) & SUZE IJO

House teacher Tamara invites interdisciplinary music artist and MC Redchild (DE) as a guestteacher and DJ Suze Ijo (NL). The event consists of a 3-hour House Rhythm and Musicality workshop led by Redchild (music knowledge) and Tamara (appliance in house dance). Followed by a 3-hour House jam with DJ/MC Redchild and DJ Suze Ijo! A free floor for you to play, apply and exchange together on the many colours housemusic has to offer.

Joel W en Hassani invite their XGEN crew to takeover Hiphophuis. They’ll focus on building and connecting the scene. First up Wennah + Joel W will focus on groundwork. After that Hassani + Argil will dive into footwork + foundation. Followed by a break with snacks & drinks and a short documentary and jam!

Dani invites Rubidoo Blazzaz (JA) to share his knowledge, approach to dancehall movement and build connections.

Break up the week and come hang out with us in our living room. DJ’s INBLVKWETRUST & GLTTR GDDSS will take care of the tunes and good vibes. No need to sign up, just drop by.

Devanté invites Stichting Untold to share knowledge about Afro Caribbean history and meaning of dance. Followed by a jam and space to connect and build together.

Cancel all your plans, Hassani has your Saturday sorted! Workshops by Argil & Hassani, Talk by Neha, Naomi and Tawatha and community gathering with BBQ and all. Full schedule coming out soon!

Etienne invites Nadia Ogarro (UK) for a roller skate intensive, diving into the history of roller skating, knowing your booth and putting this into practice. DJ Mashel will guide the workshop and jam with the best tunes. Ogarro is a member of a skate collective called The NC (The Next Chapter) and has taught roller skating within and across the UK and Europe. She believes in taking the art of skating to its fullest potential, by creating, inspiring and sharing both her knowledge and journey.

Precious invites Edgar Konsept (UK) for a lecture and dance workshops. After a break we’ll go into the jam session + special battle (which means that the battle is only for invitees but everyone can watch). Deejay James will provide the best vibes and tunes all day.

Dedicated to the Ballroom Community, no matter which house or spot you usually dance at! Practice your skills during open practice and afterwards grab some food and drinks and hang out and build with your community.