Hip Hop Is Program
Saturday 20 December 2025 to Sunday 10 May 2026
At the Groninger Museum, you can explore the boundless creativity of Hip Hop, a cultural movement that spans countless creative fields, from art, fashion, design and language to music, dance and graffiti. With works by makers from the Netherlands and abroad, including Martha Cooper, Arthur Jafa, Iris Kensmil, Mick La Rock, Dana Lixenberg, Rammellzee and many more.
Program
Special activities are taking place inside and outside the museum during Hip Hop Is. Compete in breakdancing battles, watch a documentary on Hip Hop, or take part in the young people’s studio programme in the museum’s Hip Hop caravan.
HIP HOP IS D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself)
In the last room of the exhibition in the museum's Coop Himmelb(l)au building, you step into the different elements of Hip Hop. Add your own ‘tag’ to the graffiti wall, attend the podcast recordings of Homebase, or practice different ‘break’ moves using video instructions from Groningen breakers!
Date: Ongoing
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
>> More info
Hip Hop Caravan
The Groninger Museum is going on tour with the Hip Hop Caravan, which has been transformed into a mini museum. Starting in January, the caravan will travel to schools and festivals in the province of Groningen, surprising children and young people with activities related to the Hip Hop Is exhibition.
Date: Ongoing
Location: Province of Groningen
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European Hip Hop Studies Conference 9.0
The Groninger Museum is the location for the European Hip Hop Studies Conference 2026. More than 30 years ago, the field of Hip Hop studies emerged, with groundbreaking works such as Black Noise by Tricia Rose. These publications laid the foundation for discussions that continue to this day. During this conference, we will look at the current state of Hip Hop research, the role of Hip Hop as a culture and as an art form, and the future of the field. Expect debates and panels on European Hip Hop, as well as keynotes and conversations with creators and researchers. This edition will also feature special sessions on the history of Hip Hop in the Netherlands, with a special focus on Groningen.
Date: 18 March to 21 March 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
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FORUM X HOMEBASE : IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS + THE WARRIORS WITH DEEJAY IRIE + DJ CHEEBA | FILM + PANEL + PERFORMANCE | FORUM
An evening program filled with film, live music, and Hip Hop activism. Experience the cult classic "The Warriors“ with live re-scoring by DJ Cheeba, watch the new Chuck D documentary ”In the Hour of Chaos," and engage in conversation with the creators: leading Hip Hop writers Joan Morgan and H. Samy Alim.
Date: 19 March 2026
Location: Nieuwe Markt 1, 9712 KN Groningen
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Hip Hop Is Knowledge: Night at the Museum
An interactive evening program filled with music, dance, panel discussions, and art, dedicated to Hip Hop culture and knowledge. Listen to a breakdown of the art of rap, join an interactive conversation on the gendered power dynamics in the Hip Hop industry, get down to a classic Hip Hop block jam in the middle of the Hip Hop Is exhibition, and more.
Date: 20 March 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
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HOMEBASE PRESENTS: MAZBOU Q + SON OF LIGHT + KATLEGO + DEEJAY IRIE + SHERLOCK | CONCERT | FIXY
On Saturday, March 21, Homebase has an evening of international Hip Hop in store for you at FIXY. The program will be headlined by the technically gifted New Zealand-based rapper Mazbou Q, and will feature performances and DJ sets from Deejay Irie, Katlego and Son of Light.
Date: 21 March 2026
Location: FIXY, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
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AN AFTERNOON OF DILLA | TALKS + PERFORMANCE + FUNDRAISER | FIXY
Vice Beats, Homebase, and Official Ma Dukes come together to bring AN AFTERNOON OF DILLA to the Netherlands for the first time ever. On Sunday afternoon, March 22, this official J Dilla fundraiser event takes place in FIXY. Come check out live music, talks, DJ sets, a J Dilla beat cypher, the best donuts in town and help raise money for the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation. This event is the official afterparty of the 2026 European Hip Hop Studies Conference: "Things Done Changed: Hip Hop Futures for a World on Fire", which takes place in Groningen from March 18-21, 2026.
Date: 22 March 2026
Location: FIXY, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
>> More info
Previous Events
ESNS 2026
During the upcoming edition of ESNS, there will once again be plenty to see and experience across the city. In addition to music and performances, the festival also offers an extensive visual arts program under the banner of ESNS Art. ESNS is celebrating its 40th anniversary with special art presentations in collaboration with Noorderlicht, Academie Minerva, and the Groninger Archives, among others. ESNS visitors receive a discount at the Groninger Museum with their wristband and code.
Date: 14 January to 17 January 2026
Location: city center Groningen
Book signing by Niels Shoe Meulman and Ferry van Zijderveld
The Groninger Museum is organizing a book signing in the museum's entrance hall with artists Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman and Ferry van Zijderveld. Have your copy of Shoe's Black Book – Graffiti in the 1980s signed, in which Shoe documents his early years as a graffiti artist and collaborations with iconic artists. The book signing is free and no museum ticket is required.
Date: 16 January 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
(ANOTHER) HOMEBASE INVASION
In honor of Eurosonic, another (ANOTHER) HOMEBASE INVASION will take place at FIXY. Enjoy a free underground Hip Hop program with performances by ZWARTEWATER, WadAap, Skedel, Wallplug, Alexander Moto, and Denk Neni, mixed with DJ sets by Daiya and, of course, Deejay Irie.
Date: 17 January 2026
Location: FIXY, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
HipHopSonic
The largest UNDERGROUND Hip Hop party takes place in Groningen in January. During ESNS, you can head to Café de Zolder for your dose of free Hip Hop, with acts such as Mister Personal, Draizt, and Suwento. From raw beats to impressive live performances: an energetic evening full of urban vibes that you shouldn't miss.
Date: 17 January 2026
Location: Café de Zolder, Papengang 3 A, 9711 PA Groningen
Podium Noordstaat
Podium Noordstaat takes over Simplon for an evening full of raw energy, fresh vibes, and emerging talent. Expect new sounds, powerful performances, and the creativity of artists who are making their voices heard. An energetic evening that shows what the local Hip Hop scene has to offer.
Date: 23 January 2026
Location: Simplon, Boterdiep 69, 9712 LK Groningen
Dope D.O.D.
During the Dope D.O.D. Multiverse Release Party, the room bursts with dark, experimental Hip Hop, electronic influences, and raw energy. Let yourself be carried away by raw energy, mosh pits, and captivating shows from the group that is making an impression worldwide and returning with a new release. An unforgettable evening for fans of powerful, groundbreaking Hip Hop.
Date: 24 January 2026
Location: EM2, Suikerlaan 6, 9743 DA Groningen
BRAAI
BRAAI is back with a special anniversary edition at Simplon. Expect fresh and powerful Afrobeats and an overflow of unlimited energy.
Date: 31 January 2026
Location: Simplon, Boterdiep 69, 9712 LK Groningen
WERC AR Graffiti: Hall of Fame
Step inside AR Graffiti: Hall of Fame. A world where digital street art comes to life. The Groningen art collective WERC presents a large-scale, interactive installation in which graffiti, light, and sound merge into one immersive experience.
At AR Graffiti 3, visitors are standing in the middle of the work. Various graffiti pieces are brought to life with interactive video projections and a specially composed soundscape. Together they form an experience in which the boundaries between physical and digital art blur.AR Graffiti 1.0 and 2.0 are on display in a connected room.
Date: 31 January to 22 February 2026
Location: EMG Stadshavens Groningen, Eemskanaal Noordzijde 48
HIP HOP IS: KNOWLEDGE | PODCAST WITH STEVEN GILBERS & DASTAN ABDALI
On March 7, Frank Stevens, Steven Gilbers, and Dastan Abdali will dive into the world of the fifth element: Knowledge. They will discuss how Hip Hop and science come together at the university and beyond, as will be seen from 18-21 March during the Things Done Changed conference.
Date: 7 March 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
REFRAME NIGHT: HIP HOP IS
On Friday, March 13, we celebrate the kick-off of REFRAME! REFRAME is the Groninger Museum's youth program. The REFRAME community and its events are organized by a group of six enthusiastic young people.
You're welcome from 8:00 PM, and we'll provide the first drink. The program starts at 8:30 PM and doors close promptly at 8:45 PM, so please arrive on time!
Date: 13 March 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
ARES | CONCERT | SIMPLON
After two years of silence, Ares returns to the stage with the Andere Man Tour – a completely new live show in which he brings his recently released album to life with a live band and a fresh, mature sound.
Date: 13 March 2026
Location: FIXY, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
DE JEUGD VAN TEGENWOORDIG + HILTJE | CONCERT | DE OOSTERPOORT
GOOD NEWS! For 20 years, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig has been enriching the Dutch language with literary gems such as glijpanter, benden, caleidoscopische oogs, and Watskeburt?!. After three sold-out Ziggo Dome shows to celebrate their 20th anniversary, the gentlemen are taking a lap of honor around Dutch pop venues for a club tour.
Date: 13 March 2026
Location: Trompsingel 27, 9724 DA Groningen
OUTSIDE THE BLOCK | DANCE | GRAND THEATER
This workshop delves into the history, basics, and culture of krump. You will learn the foundations in a creative way and how to apply them in a session (cypher), the heart of the culture. Expect an expressive, interactive, and powerful experience, and above all: FUN!
Date: 14 March 2026
Location: Grote Markt 35, 9711 LV Groningen
VRIJDAG StudioT
At StudioT, young people aged 12 to 27 with a passion for music are always welcome. Get started with studio supervisors Rudy Rivas and Jaelle Hupkes. Whether you want to make beats, write lyrics, record your own songs, or just make music with new friends, StudioT gives you the space to experiment with professional equipment. Come by or join the Hip Hop & R&B boot camp by VRIJDAG.
Date: 14 and 15 March 2026
Location: Akkerstraat 99, 9717 KZ Groningen
STEEBS METHOD PRESENTS: MAKE THE METHOD | CONCERT | EM2
Come groove on your lazy Sunday with Steebs' Method on March 15! Steeby and The Method are indispensable links in the gears of the Groningen Hip Hop scene and also no strangers here at EM2. Come support your locals and enjoy a deliciously thoughtful combination of jazz and Hip Hop.
Date: 15 March 2026
Location: Suikerlaan 6, 9743 DA Groningen
(ANOTHER) HOMEBASE INVASION: THINGS DONE CHANGED MET DEEJAY IRIE | OPENING | FIXY
On Wednesday, March 18, we have (Another) Homebase Invasion in store for you, this time in collaboration with the 2026 European Hip Hop Studies Conference taking place in Groningen that week: "Things Done Changed". To set the Things Done Changed conference in motion, Groningen legend Deejay Irie — the inaugural DMC Visual DJ World Champion — will be behind the wheels of steel to do a vinyl set in FIXY’s Vinyl Bar.Entry is free, the bar is open, and the vibes are outspoken!
Date: 16 March 2026
Location: FIXY, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
