Hip Hop Midwest Healing Circle

media release: HIP HOP MIDWEST: HEALING CIRCLE ©, brings together a diverse group of 13 outstanding Midwestern hip-hop artists and UW-Madison faculty and staff presenters, for 2 days of exciting Hip Hop events, Nov. 10-11, that are open to the Madison and UW-Madison community, that highlight the interrelatedness of the Hip Hop elements (dance, music, poetry, graffiti and knowledge) to our healing processes.

With ongoing occurrences of police violence, anti-Asian and LGBTQ+ hate crimes, in a world haunted by health and environmental crises, our own UW-Madison students and the Madison community live with trauma and uncertainty. Recognizing these challenges, we celebrate hip-hop as a movement--now recognized as one of the most powerful cultural forces world-wide

We bring attention to the history of Hip Hop in the Midwest and particularly to our own state of Wisconsin. Our headliner artist, Jezelle Shawanokasic (a.k.a. J25, is a Native American woman DJ, poet and activist from Appleton, Wisconsin. Hip Hop Midwest: Healing Circle © not only upholds the Wisconsin Idea and philosophy that “the boundaries of the university should be the boundaries of the state”, butalso gives primacy to the diverse communities and the 12 Native Nations residing within our State. These communities must transcend all boundaries and actively engage with the University of Wisconsin System to inform its mission.

This project continues the 10-year legacy of the historic Breakin’ the Law” series, which began in 2004 and ended in 2014. The series, innovated by former UW students Katrina Flores and Jarius King. They gathered support from units across campus that spanned the sciences to the arts and humanities, uniting campus and community with events such as Hip Hop Revival Organized by Roberto Rivera and Lacouir D. Yancey of Elements of Change celebrating hip-hop dance, music and poetry.

On November 10, 4-5:30 pm, Langston Collin Wilkins (African American Studies/Folklore) will moderate a panel, “Roots to Fruits”, that introduces notion of hip-hop roots and healing. Panelists include Professor Kamau Rashid (Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago) and Lacouir Yancey (a.k.a. Spirit, project co-producer & event director).

On November 11, the main public events, “Fruits to Roots”, will take place from 12 pm–8 pm, at Madison Youth Arts Center, 1055 E. Mifflin. Master artists CM huu Nguyen, Turbo Roc, and Jr. ammo. will teach workshops from12 to 5:30 pm.The final healing cypher (circle) and performance event, from 5:30 to 8 pm, will be hosted by Lacouir “Spirit” Yancey, will feature hip-hop dance, music and spoken word, inviting community participation in the final concluding cipher.

November 10, 2023: Roots of the fruits, Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue

4:00 – 5:30 pm Panel: Roots to the Fruits of Hip Hop, by Kamau Rashid & Lacouir Yancey; moderated by Langston Collin Wilkins4028

November 11, 2023: Fruits of the Roots, Madison Youth Arts Center, 1055 E. Mifflin St.

12:00 – 5:30 pm: Workshops with Master Teachers: CM huu nguyen – Capoeira Angola; Turbo Roc – Top Roc & Breakin; Jr ammo – Hip Hop Dance & Krumping; Healing Cypher & Preformance

5:30 – 8:00pm Healing Cypher & Performance hosted by Lacouir “Spirit” Yancey, with special headliner:  J25. Also featuring Adem Tesfaye, Bboy Spirit of the Soul Hydraulics Crew, DJ Vilas Park Sniper, Dr. Roberto "HPMC" Rivera, Emcee Thee, S Boogie, Jr. ammo & teh Hitterz Collective, Peggy "Nin-Jah" Choy, Yorel Lashley

HHMWHC is in partnership with the UW-Madison School of Education’s Office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE). This partnership was made possible by the generosity of the School of Education Dean’s Office.

OUR SPONSORS:

American Indian & Indigenous Studies

Anonymous Fund

Asian American Studies Program

Center for the Study of Upper Midwest Cultures

Department of African American Studies

Evjue Foundation

Folklore Program/German, Nordic & Slavic+

School of Education Dean’s Office

Center for Research on Gender & Women

Division of the Arts

Office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE)

Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives