The New Jersey Performing
Arts Center (NJPAC) will host Planet Hip-Hop 2, an international festival gathering
Hip-Hop artists, speakers and members of the Newark community in nine events,
including theater, music and spoken word.
Planet Hip-Hop
2, which takes place tonight (November 11) through November 14, highlights artists
who are involved in their communities through artistic, cultural and political
means.
"We want to
reflect how artists react to the issues and conditions of contemporary society,"
said Curator/Producer of NJPAC Alternate Routes Baraka Sele.
According to Sele,
who will host a panel discussion called “Doing Business as Usual?”
assembling leaders in the Hip-Hop entrepreneurial field, the event gives artists
and speakers a chance to interact with people from Newark and other parts of
the world.
Hip-Hop pioneer
Doug E. Fresh will issue the Keynote Speech for the event, which starts off
with an MC Battle hosted by Newark’s Black 45.
The Sacred Circle
Caf will also present spoken word, poetry, Hip-Hop theater and solo performances
by artists Flo Brown, Narubi Selah and Taalam Acey among others.
The Sacred Circle
Caf has played a hand in introducing Hip-Hop artists like Mos Def and the Fo
Deuk Revue.
Scratch DJ Academy
and Beatboxer Entertainment will also introduce beatbox and turntable artists,
with host DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry, formerly of The Fugees.
WCBS-TV/CBS2 is
the official television partner for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the
nation’s sixth largest performing arts center.
Tickets for all
events are available via telephone, at the NJPAC Box Office in downtown Newark
or by visiting the NJPAC website at njpac.org.