Hooks & Phonics Festival

The inaugural 2024 “Hooks & Phonics Festival” is a weekend celebration of Hip-Hop culture and the art of Spoken Word Poetry, which exists to highlight prolific stories of trial and triumph told by orators and emcees from BIPOC communities who speak truth to power without compromise. Tickets can be purchased through this path for individual days at $45 or a discounted $120 festival pass can be purchased here!

Schedule of Events

1/19 @ 8:00pm | “Poetry Unplugged” will start by honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy during an evening of spoken word poetry, which highlights his core values such as: non-violence, unification, self-realization and justice. This year’s lineup will feature renowned poets such as: Kayden Hern, Love Ties, Jesicca Lanay, Ed Mabrey, Aja Monet, and Sunni Patterson.

1/20 @ 7:00pm | “State of Emerging Emcees” features burgeoning emcees on the cusp of stardom take center stage in the August Wilson Center café to showcase the lyrical aptitude rooted in various cities across America. Day 2 will conclude with a dynamic performance on the main stage by the GRAMMY nominated artist, Rapsody.

1/21 @ 7:00pm | The Urban Art Orchestra pays tribute to the late producer J Dilla who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in Hip-Hop history. This orchestral performance will feature appearances by Detroit legends Jessica Care Moore and Slum Village.