(Photo by Adam Carr)

Alderman Khalif J. Rainey is proud to announce the opening of Hip Hop Week MKE, the first official city-wide event of its kind approved by the Common Council, starting Monday, August 20.

Alderman Rainey, who sponsored the successful legislation creating Hip Hop Week MKE, said the weeklong event will offer unique and positive experiences. “I’ve always known the true innate transformational power of Hip Hop (which celebrated its 45th birthday last week) and I wanted to bring that to Milwaukee in a meaningful way with Hip Hop Week MKE – taking place for the first time ever at venues across the city,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to come out and be a part of Hip Hop Week MKE, attend performances, come to seminars to learn and ask questions and to see what the array of events has to offer,” Alderman Rainey said.

Hip Hop Week MKE gets underway on August 20 with a news conference at 1 p.m. at the Miller High Life Theater, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. The Hip Hop Networking event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Miller High Life Theater, and opening day of Hip Hop Week MKE will be capped off by the Masters of Ceremonies free Hip Hop concert featuring Milwaukee Hip Hop artists – also at the Miller High Life Theater starting at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, August 21, features a Jay Morrison Financial Intelligence Seminar at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society at 2620 W. Center St. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hip Hop legend Masta Ace will lead a Hip Hop and Health conversation (as he personally battles MS) at St. Joseph Hospital, 5000 W. Chambers St., from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22.

Please go to www.hiphopweekmke.com to see the full 2018 Hip Hop MKE Week schedule.

An official City of Milwaukee event approved by the Common Council in January, Hip Hop Week MKE celebrates the culture of the music genre of Hip Hop. This series of Hip Hop themed performances and programming opens up the dialogue about key issues including violence, health and wellness, financial literacy and civic engagement with the goal of bringing residents of Milwaukee together. It is sponsored by the City of Milwaukee, Alderman Rainey, Historic King Drive BID, 88Nine Radio, Potawatomi Hotel Casino, V100.7 Jams, Jammin’ 98.3, TRSTD Kicks, VISIT Milwaukee, Summerfest, Associated Bank, MillerCoors, The Rave/Eagles Club, Harley-Davidson, Miller High Life Theater, Gruber Law Offices, The Oriental Theater, General Capital, Mandel Group, Milwaukee Film, Ascension, MorganDezine, The Riverside and others.