Zaccho Dance Theatre and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts proudly present The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop, a multimedia performance experience where the legends of Hip Hop take the stage, raw and unfiltered.

For two nights only during Juneteenth weekend—June 20–21, 2025 in The Forum at YBCA—audiences will experience the music, movement, and stories that gave rise to one of the most influential art forms of our time.

Featuring Hip Hop pioneers Grandmaster Caz, Grandwizzard Theodore, MC SHA-ROCK, Grandmaster Melle Mel*, Graffiti Artist BG183, BGirl Rokafella, BBoy Kwikstep, and photography by Joe Conzo, Jr., The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop transports audiences to the streets of 1970s Bronx, where a cultural revolution was born. Through breakdancing, graffiti, live DJing, spoken word, and powerful storytelling, it’s an electrifying, one-of-a-kind experience—brought to life with the raw energy and bold spirit that have shaped culture over the last four decades. The visual world of the production is created by a dynamic design team: Video Creative Director John Ensor Parker, Video/Projection Designer Márton Dániel Gábor, and Video Technical Director Bryan Dodson.

In addition to the performance, the Friday, June 20th show will feature a post-show talkback with the Hip Hop legends moderated by Hip Hop Journalist Davey D, followed by a community cypher and after-party powered by our legendary guest, DJ QBert.

On Saturday, June 21, the show includes a special encore with pioneer DJ Grandwizzard Theodore and DJ QBert.

Originally commissioned in 2013 by Dancing in the Streets and Casita Maria Center for Arts and Culture, the continued development of The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop has been made possible in part by The Kennedy Center’s Office Hours Residency Program at The REACH.

*Grandmaster Melle Mel contributes through a powerful pre-recorded video performance, created specifically for this work.