Hip hop emerged in the United States in the 1970s and quickly spread around the world. This cultural movement, which originated on the streets, found particular resonance in France, especially in northern Paris, where it quickly became an unavoidable part of urban music and art culture.
Rap, graffiti, breakdancing, beatboxing, and DJing make up hip hop. Today, the hip hop movement continues to evolve and remains more alive than ever in Seine-Saint-Denis, where several hip hop festivals are organized. These events showcase emerging and renowned artists who practice the various disciplines of hip hop.
During one weekend in June, La Villette offers evenings, shows, workshops, and more centered around hip hop dance and urban culture (music, sports, art, fashion, lifestyle). The Freestyle festival at La Villette is free and open-air.
Organized by the City of Saint-Denis, the Hip Hop and Urban Culture Festival celebrates all facets of urban culture every year for two weeks in October: rap, slam, graffiti, dance, stand-up comedy, DJ sets, photo exhibitions, and more.
The Saint-Denis Hip Hop Festival has featured big names from the hip hop and rap scene such as La Fouine, Kery James, Diams, Sniper, Grand Corps Malade, 113, Youssoupha, and many others.
The highlights take place in the Salle de la Légion d'Honneur and at La Ligne 13.
Every November, the Kalypso Hip-Hop Festival presents performances by around fifty dance companies at some thirty cultural venues in the Paris region. A few days' stopover is offered at La Villette.
BOOST, urban dance festivalThe Boost dance festival is organized by Les Rencontres Chorégraphiques Internationales and Est Ensemble. Boost shines a spotlight on different styles of hip hop dance: breakdancing, waacking, pantsula, house, electro, krump, afro, and more.
The event is held at several venues in Seine-Saint-Denis, which host film and short film screenings, conferences, talks, battles, workshops, and shows.
The Grünt music festival invites emerging indie hip hop artists to perform on stage. It is organized by the YouTube channel of the same name, which hosts rappers for freestyles, discussions, and interviews.
Seine-Saint-Denis offers shows and dance festivals of all styles.
