COME WITH US AS WE RECAP ALL OF THE EXCITING EVENTS THAT OCCURRED AT THE 17TH TRINITY INTERNATIONAL HIP HOP FESTIVAL AS THEY CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF HIP HOP!

Trinity College recently hosted its annual International Hip Hop Festival from March 30th to April 1st. This year's festival, which celebrated 50 years of Hip Hop, was a true crowd pleaser, thanks to the Temple of Hip Hop team. From the Youth 4 Change Showcase during the day to the main performances at night, this event was surely one for the books. One of the most memorable moments of the festival was the exhilarating dance competition. The festival showcased some of the finest hip hop artists from all over the world (mostly US based this year) with participants bringing their unique styles to the forefront.

The Youth 4 Change Showcase was particularly impressive, as young talents wowed the crowd with their energy and enthusiasm. From the Junior 860 Company to young rappers like Qarun, this showcase gave so many young artists the opportunity to show off their gifts!

After the Youth 4 Change showcase, the highly anticipated Producer Showcase followed, in partnership with the J Dilla Foundation and hosted by producer G-Whiz. He was joined by fellow producers Willz, Blackhart, King Michael Coy and Ralphi-O, who exhibited their own unique styles and skills. The event was made even more special by the surprise performance of Frank & Dank, adding to the already electrifying atmosphere.

The Producer Showcase was a display of pure talent, with each producer playing some of the most insane beats that left the crowd in absolute awe. The photo to the right of host G-Whiz losing his mind to one of Blackhart’s beats is a testament to the sheer intensity of the event. There are few words to describe the amazing energy and excitement that was present during the showcase, and for those who attended, it was an experience that they will never forget.

After the Producer Showcase concluded, the festival continued with the Favorites Showcase. This provided an opportunity for new and upcoming artists from all over to perform one of their best songs for the chance to perform as one of the acts for the main showcase for next year’s festival. Artists from across the state and all the way down to ATL came to Trinity to show the audience what they got!

Finishing off the showcases were the final dance battles: the 4v4 All Styles battle and the 3v3 Breakdancing battle, two of the most highly anticipated events of the entire festival. Two teams went head-to-head in each competition for the chance to win the cash prizes of $1100 for the All Styles battle and $900 for the Breakdancing battle. The competition was intense, and both battles were incredibly close, with each team displaying their ridiculous skills and talent.

After much deliberation, the judges made their decision and awarded the group, P.A.I.D, the top prize for the All Styles battle, while B-Boys Kid Break, B-Boy Divine, and Bombi Hernandez were crowned the champions of the Breakdancing battle.

To conclude the festival, a diverse group of attendees, including students, dancers, and Hartford residents, gathered in the Washington room for the main event. The performances were nothing short of exceptional, with last year's winner of the Favorites Showcase, Arahmis from Connecticut, taking the stage. Following with local rap group BAP PACK, who had the crowd surfing and dancing along their entire set. Co-headliners DJs Amira and Kayla from New Jersey and main headliner DJ Zhinle from South Africa took the energy to the next level, creating an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

Hip hop culture has a rich history in Hartford, encompassing music, dance, and art. This year's Trinity International Hip Hop Festival, organized by the Temple of Hip Hop, fully showcased the depth and diversity of the local hip hop scene. While photographs capture only a fraction of the event's essence, we hope that this piece, along with the images, will inspire readers to attend next year's festival and experience the electric atmosphere for themselves.