Videos by According2HipHop
Hip-hop history is getting its flowers in the nation’s capital this August. Kid ‘n Play and the Jungle Brothers are leading this year’s class of inductees into the National Hip-Hop Museum’s Hall of Fame, a stacked lineup that pays homage to some of the genre’s most foundational architects. Joining them are Bronx legend DJ Red Alert, the ever-charismatic Dana Dane, flamboyant fashion innovator Kwamé, trailblazers Sweet Tee and DJ Hollywood—all of whom helped lay the groundwork for generations of rap stars to come.
This year’s induction ceremony isn’t just a one-night event. It’s a week-long celebration, running from August 18–22, co-hosted by the National Hip-Hop Museum and the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (DC BID). The festivities wrap with the official Hall of Fame ceremony on August 23 at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in D.C.
The celebration is immersive — expect a pop-up exhibit packed with rare artifacts like Gold and Platinum RIAA plaques, vintage flyers, stage-worn fashion relics, and even KRS-ONE’s “Hip-Hop Declaration of Peace”.
Leading into the main event, Rapper Big Pooh and Apollo Brown will host a Beat Konductaz Beat Battle, spotlighting the next wave of sonic innovators. There’s also a live podcast session hosted by Grandmaster Caz, a certified Cold Crush Brother and current voice of Rock The Bells Radio, featuring conversations with each of this year’s inductees.
The grand finale? A live concert that reads like a golden era mixtape: performances by Dana Dane, Kwamé, and the Jungle Brothers with DJ Red Alert behind the decks, all capped off with a headlining set from Kid ‘n Play. Expect throwback hits, high-top fades, and a whole lot of love for the culture that keeps on giving.
The National Hip-Hop Museum continues to outdo itself while honoring rap’s legacy—and this year’s class is a reminder of the energy, innovation, and style that started it all.
