Hip-Hop Academy

15 Hip-hoppers, seven days, one academy. The Japanese theatre artist Akira Takayama sees rappers as the poets of the present. For the Ruhrtriennale 2020 he will found a Hip-Hop Academy in Bochum with a masterclass in the disciplines of rap, dance, graffiti and DJ-ing. The public will be able to follow how a group of young street artists from the Ruhr region rap, discuss and battle with each other.

How can we consider situations in our lives from other perspectives? Has our ability to do this already degenerated? Has it been taken away from us? The masterclass will attempt to recover these faculties and turn rehearsals for the Hip Hop Academy into a celebration.

The timetable includes workshops, lectures and actions in the city and at the Third Space on the square in front of the Jahrhunderthalle. Public spaces become both a stage and an academy as a temporary community is formed. The project will focus on shared critical learning, negotiating rules for urban cohabitation and the traditions of hip-hop.

The rehearsals, just like the battle finale on the closing day, are themselves performances where the public is welcome at any time.

Programme

The detailed programme with details of lectures, workshops, battles and information on the Open Call for the audition will be announced very soon.

The Hip-Hop Academy will take place from 16th –  19th Aug at the Third Space and from 20th –  22nd Aug in the city centre of Bochum.