It’s Hip-Hop Week in Milwaukee. The celebration, now in its seventh year, focuses on the power of hip-hop to transform urban communities.

Now through Aug. 23, residents can join activities around the city to celebrate hip-hop. Events include performances, seminars, job fairs and concerts.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, musicians participated in a Beat Battle at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St. Click here for a full list of Hip-Hop Week MKE events.

Rapper Ag Da Gift performs before a Beat Battle event.

DJ Topher performs during a Beat Battle.

Don Black, radio host with Jammin 98.3 (WJMR-FM), hosts a Beat Battle event for Hip-Hop Week MKE.

Producer S.D. Produces dances to his beat during a Beat Battle.

Producer 9th Wonder judges the Beat Battle event.

Producers 9th Wonder and 808Jack shake hands after 808Jack advances to the finals during a Beat Battle.

Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.

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Photos: It’s Hip-Hop Week in Milwaukee

by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
August 20, 2025

<h1>Photos: It’s Hip-Hop Week in Milwaukee</h1>
<p class="byline">by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service <br />August 20, 2025</p>

<p>It’s Hip-Hop Week in Milwaukee. The celebration, now in its seventh year, focuses on the power of hip-hop to transform urban communities. </p>
<p>Now through Aug. 23, residents can join activities around the city to celebrate hip-hop. Events include performances, seminars, job fairs and concerts.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Aug. 19, musicians participated in a Beat Battle at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St. <a href="https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccCouncil/Initiatives/Hip-Hop-Week-MKE/Hip-HopWeekMKESchedule24x36.jpg">Click here for a full list of Hip-Hop Week MKE events</a>.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_8663-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128115" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rapper Ag Da Gift performs before a Beat Battle event. </figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_8596-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128117" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">DJ Topher performs during a Beat Battle. </figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_8611-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128114" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Don Black, radio host with Jammin 98.3 (WJMR-FM), hosts a Beat Battle event for Hip-Hop Week MKE. </figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_6097-1024x819.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128113" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Producer S.D. Produces dances to his beat during a Beat Battle. </figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_5950-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128108" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Producer 9th Wonder judges the Beat Battle event. </figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_6086-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128118" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Producers 9th Wonder and 808Jack shake hands after 808Jack advances to the finals during a Beat Battle. </figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_6072-1024x819.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128120" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Producer 808Jack dances to his beat. </figcaption></figure>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<p><em>Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.catchlight.io/local"><em>CatchLight Local&nbsp;</em></a><em>and&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/"><em>Report for America</em></a><em>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p></p>
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Photos: It’s Hip-Hop Week in Milwaukee

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