Overview
Back by popular demand is the second part of our Standing in Solidarity series on “Hip Hop’s First Five Decades.” Get ready to “bust a move” when our expert panelists talk about the culture of hip hop — including art, music and dance — and its legacy.
The artistry is celebrated in a popular holiday favorite, The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Dazzling national audiences for 11 years, this NJPAC commission reimages Tchakovsky’s classical ballet with supercharged hip hop choreography and modern urban scenery. Get an inside peek at the creative minds behind the show and learn how hip hop keeps its followers spinning.
Our panel will be moderated by Bill Stephney, multi-instrumental musician and former chief executive of Def Jam Records, SOUL Records and Stepsun Music. He is also a documentary film producer, executive committee member for the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip Hop and Rap and adjunct instructor at NYU.
Our panelists include:
Kurtis Blow, emcee of The Hip Hop Nutcracker and first rapper to sign with a major record label and have a certified gold single for his hit “The Breaks”
Jen Weber, director, choreographer and double Tony Award-nominee and Emmy Award-winning artist who conceived, co-wrote and directed The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Due to a scheduling conflict, Nelson George will be replaced by the talented Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon in this conversation.