France’s International L’Original Festival to Celebrate All Elements of Hip Hop

The 10th annual L’Original Festival, an international celebration of hip hop music and culture, takes place in Lyon, France from March 28th to April 1st, featuring international artists, including several from the United States.

The multi-day program promises to celebrate all elements of hip hop, states Elsa Ducas of L’Original Festival. “We’re gonna make a big, big party with many Hip Hop artists, national and international,” she promises, “Representing all the dimensions of Hip Hop culture: Graffiti, break dance, rap, DJing and beatboxing!”

The international festival is sure to draw audiences from throughout Europe, and indeed, throughout the world, as Lyon will play host to a collection of artists and fans for a true celebration of hip hop music and culture.

Several American artists will make an appearance during the festival, including Cody Chesnutt (March 28), the eclectic veteran MF Doom (March 30) and Brooklyn wordsmith Skyzoo (March 31). France will certainly be representing their own with artists such as Kery James, a hugely popular French rapper, and Pockemon Crew, an acclaimed break dance troupe based out of Lyon.

Iconic group Public Enemy will visit Lyon, though their concert (which also features James) will be later in the month.

Originally created as an event to celebrate the 20th year of the “hip hop movement in France,” L’Original Festival has continued throughout the years, with this year’s weekend culminating in a grand “Street Day,” consisting of graffiti and beatbox exhibitons, dance battles and a giant block party.

Their first video trailer highlighted photos from prior years events, at times showing what appears to be many thousands of concertgoers, enjoying the euphoric passion that hip hop music and culture can deliver. The new trailer shows examples of the excitement that can be expected, with many of the scheduled performers showcased.

For more information on the 2013 L’Original Festival, visit www.loriginal-festival.com or follow on Twitter at @Festivalorigina