House of Hip-Hop Fusion Festival: 4 Days, 4 Locations, 16+ Bands

Highlighting musicians, emcees and bands blending hip-hop, jazz and other genres, the House of Hip Hop Festival kicks off on July 1, 2016, the first of a four day exhibition celebrating the spirit of live hip hop music and the verbal dexterity of true school emceeing.

The House of Hip Hop Festival is the brainchild of musician, promoter and advocate Benjamin Chin, of the hip-hop/jazz group QNA, along with fellow musician Zaven Embree, who, with several other groups from across the region, have been working hard to shed light on New York’s blossoming hip-hop fusion scene.

Orchestrating the House of Hip Hop Festival not only creates an exciting experience for these musicians and their groups to perform, the organizers say, but it represents a concerted effort to continue the mission that these entrepreneurial musicians have chosen to undertake.

“This is the new sound of New York City hip hop,” explains Chin. “We want people to have a different understanding of what hip-hop is.”

Whether it’s a hardened old-school purist or a new school casual fan, Chin feels that the hip-hop fusion movement can enlighten jaded listeners with a musicality that still isn’t always associated with rap music.

“I want people to know that there is this other side of hip-hop out here,” Chin says. “To walk away saying, ‘Wow, that’s a facet of hip-hop that I never experienced before.'”

To help promote the recognition of the hip-hop fusion movement, and as a result of several previous collaborations between like-minded groups, Chin and Embree decided that launching the House of Hip Hop Festival would present a perfect opportunity to showcase several area bands and emcees that expertly and creatively juxtapose musical genres and styles.

Brooklyn-based lyricist Chelsea Reject will be performing at the House of Hip Hop Festival

The House of Hip-Hop Festival kicks off at Knitting Factory, Brooklyn on July 2, followed by shows at Trans-Pecos (July 3), Knitting Factory, Brooklyn (July 8) and The Kymberle Project (July 9). Several successful independent artists and groups will be featured throughout, including buzzing, Brooklyn-based upstart Chelsea Reject and Nanuet’s hip-hop hometown hero, Bishop Nehru. Chin’s QNA will participate, with other acts already announced, including Frank Knight, Stories for Days, I.O.D., Travis Little and Likwuidity.

Several more artists, groups and special guests are expected to be announced as well.

“We want people to know that this movement is built from a lot of small, individual entrepreneurs in New York’s hip-hop community,” Chin emphasizes, pointing out that many of these groups and individuals have been working together to increase their collective economic and promotional strength.

“We’re not only celebrating great music,” Chin stated. “We’re demonstrating how independent artists and people of color are taking control, building and expanding their businesses on their own terms.”

All-access wristbands for the House of Hip Hop Festival are currently on sale, with individual event tickets going on sale shortly.

Visit www.houseofhiphopnyc.com to purchase a wristband/tickets, for more information and updates to the lineup.