About Kansas City Hip Hop Week

Painting depicting a street scene with a young dancer performing during "KC Hip Hop Week." A mural in the background shows musicians and singers, with the words "KC Hip Hop Week." Two people sit nearby, one holding a microphone. The setting is lively and urban.

Our Mission

Kansas City Hip Hop Week exists to unite and empower our city through the art and energy of hip hop. We celebrate the culture — the music, the movement, the message — while creating platforms that uplift artists, educate the community, and inspire the next generation. Every beat, every verse, every visual speaks to the heart of KC.

A group of people, mostly men, gathered indoors, with some wearing hats and casual clothing. A few individuals are holding drinks. The setting appears to be an event or social gathering, with a camera visible in the foreground.
Group of people posing under a blue canopy tent with a KC themed backdrop, some wearing themed T-shirts.

Our History

In 2024, history was made.

What began as a vision to spotlight KC's underground talent quickly became a city-wide movement. That summer, Kansas City Hip Hop Week launched with official recognition from Mayor Quinton Lucas and a proclamation that etched our culture into the city’s calendar forever. Backed by U.N.E.S.C.O. Creative Cities-KC, and fueled by community love, the inaugural week brought together artists, dancers, designers, poets, and pioneers in celebration of hip hop’s legacy and KC’s place in it.

Silhouette of a performer on stage holding a bottle with an audience in the background illuminated by phone lights.
Silhouette of a performer holding a microphone on stage, with bright lights behind and a person in a hoodie in the background.

Why It Matters

Kansas City has always had a story to tell — from jazz and blues to independent rap icons like Tech N9ne. KC Hip Hop Week carries that legacy forward. We’re not just throwing concerts — we’re creating space for education, fashion, dance, youth empowerment, and storytelling. Our mission is deeper than entertainment. It’s about culture, connection, and collective progress.

Poster for Kansas City Hip Hop Week, June 1-7, 2025, featuring a silhouette of a rapper performing on stage with a vibrant crowd and colorful lights.
Colorful street mural depicting lively community gathering with a child holding a microphone, an artist painting on an easel, and expressive faces in the background. Overhead, three prominent men are painted on a building wall. Urban skyline in the distance.

What’s Next

Each year, we’re building bigger, louder, and prouder. More stages. More workshops. More voices. Our vision is to make Kansas City a national destination for hip hop, community, and creative expression. Whether you’re a local artist, a visiting fan, a business sponsor, or a cultural curator — we invite you to be part of the movement.

Group of people posing in front of a red fire truck, smiling and making playful gestures, with trees in the background.
Group of people posing indoors, wearing colorful and patterned clothing, with a backdrop reading 'Blood Moon Media'.

Join the Movement

From the block to the big stage — this is our week.
Get involved. Spread the word. And meet us in the middle.

Join the Movement -

Join the Movement -