Activities outside the museum x Homebase

On 15 May 2026, Ondergrond brings the underground hip hop scene to Simplon. The name says it all: music that is often hidden and less accessible to society, but therefore supported by a strong and tight-knit community.

Artists such as Lostboyshawty, Lil Timmie, KAGE and jintra create a raw atmosphere where the crowd is guaranteed to go wild. With their own unique lyrics, the rappers ride on the most trappy and catchy beats. This is not about what the industry wants to hear, but about what the artists themselves want to express.

Rico is best known as part of the rap group Opgezwolle. To this day, he remains a true figurehead of the Zwolle and Dutch hip hop scene, an artist who made major waves with Opgezwolle in the 2000s and continues to have a strong influence today. In 2007, Opgezwolle split, after which Ricardo McDougal, aka Rico, continued with fellow rapper and friend Sticks. Together and separately, they released more than ten albums. Rico remains active in music and tours various venues and theatres every year. Besides his career as a musician, he founded a community space called De Fakkelteit, where around fifty young people from Zwolle and the surrounding area gather weekly to work with rap music in the broadest sense. In this way, he shares his experience and skills and passes them on like a torch.

After Rated R (2021) and Frenk de Slak (a family hip hop album/tour in 2023), Rico released a book in 2025 written by Job Hulsman, titled Mijn eigen wereld. Job followed Rico for two years, capturing his life both musically and in relation to his struggles with addiction. In April 2026, his new album Rico will be released, focusing on his personal journey of self-discovery. After completing a theatre tour, Rico will take this album on tour across the country, also stopping at Simplon. Expect a Rico Irie rated-R DMT journey and, of course, lots of new material. Support comes from ZWARTEWATER: Raised on a rap diet of 90s NYC underground and local legends, this rap collective—consisting of producer Milan and MCs Goudi and Frodeau—continues to build on the hip hop history of Zwolle. From behind the IJssel, they deliver a hard-hitting, ominous sound and razor-sharp, unfiltered lyrics. Not for everyone, but perfect for connoisseurs, while also ready for a wider audience. In shaking venues, the trio fires cryptic bullets that cleverly translate what occupies them in 2026, from global conflicts to battles in the mind.

Since 2023, Jonna Fraser has dominated the biggest venues in the Netherlands, selling out AFAS Live twice and filling the legendary Ziggo Dome twice as well. After these huge successes, Jonna now deliberately chooses a different path. He trades large-scale spectacle for pure intimacy during an exclusive tour across Dutch pop venues. This is a chance for loyal fans to see the hitmaker up close. No distant seats, but face to face with the artist. Jonna brings his band The Lions to deliver powerful live shows in a setting rarely experienced.

Expect an evening full of energy, musicality and connection. From his biggest hits and sing-alongs to brand new tracks, all delivered with the live power of The Lions. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the magic of his arena shows in a setting where the distance between artist and audience disappears.