Hip-Hop Week MKE 2025 pairs concerts with civics, jobs and health

Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop Week MKE returned Aug. 17–23 with a city-backed slate of concerts, workshops, and community programs that span arts, health, civics, and workforce development. Now in its seventh year as an official City of Milwaukee initiative, the week is billed as the first municipally recognized “Hip-Hop Week” in the country, designed to pair performances with voter engagement, financial literacy, and wellness offerings. This year’s edition is dedicated to the late Milwaukee figures Antoine “Twan” Mack and Antoine “OG Tweezy” Hogan.

The week opened Sunday with a 5 p.m. news conference at The Rave/Eagles Club, followed by an 8 p.m. kickoff concert featuring The Clipse with EarthGang. Ald. Russell W. Stamper II led the launch, and a True Skool hip-hop art showcase preceded the show. Organizers noted the full schedule and ticketing were available through the city and venue sites. Early coverage documented the kickoff set at The Rave. 

Programming throughout the week mixed artist training with civic and health features. True Skool’s daily “DJ Skool” sessions ran Monday through Thursday at 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1000, with rotating instructors (Monday: DJ LoLo with DJ Jenius; Tuesday: DJ Swade Trackz with DJ Oshi; Wednesday: DJ Sushi Lor with DJ Whyte Nite; Thursday: DJ Nu Styles with DJ Bamn). Registration was handled through True Skool. 

Performance competitions are anchored over two nights. On Tuesday, a beat battle at The Cooperage featured guest producer 9th Wonder and AG DA GIFT; winners advanced to a finals round. Wednesday brought a second beat battle to The Rave, judged by The Conductor with appearances from Kia Rap Princess and Benny the Butcher. A separate listing confirmed 9th Wonder’s role in Tuesday’s event.

Wellness and mobility programming framed the mornings. Spinn MKE led “Hip-Hop & Ride” community bike rides at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday, starting at 309 W. Brown St., with registration through the group’s website. Saturday opened with “Hip-Hop & Miles” at Kuumba Juice & Coffee, presented by FEAR MKE. 

Thursday emphasized jobs and finances. DirectConnectMKE and ManpowerGroup hosted a noon–3 p.m. job fair at 100 Manpower Place, followed by “Planting Your Financial Seed,” a 6 p.m. workshop on credit, homeownership, and financial myths led by Darvin “Coach Darvin” Moore at 6737 N. Teutonia Ave. 

Marquee concerts bracketed the weekend. Friday night’s bill at The Rave featured Cypress Hill, Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, and the Pharcyde. Saturday’s schedule included “The 14th Amendment & You,” a 2 p.m. civic education session at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society led by Dawn Blagrove of Emancipate NC; a 5 p.m. breakdance battle presented by ILL THREADZ at Radio Milwaukee, 220 E. Pittsburgh Ave.; and “Cigars & Rhymes” at 8 p.m. at 524 N. Water St. 

City materials describe Hip-Hop Week MKE as a Common Council–approved effort that integrates performances with seminars on voter registration, mental health and pathways to success. Sponsors include the City of Milwaukee, Ald. Stamper, Rainey Day Umbrella Group, Matt Talbot Recovery Services, ManpowerGroup, DirectConnectMKE, The Rave/Eagles Club, and Common Council President José Pérez.

Here is the full schedule of Hip-Hop Week MKE