As hip-hop’s 50th anniversary draws near, BAM pays homage to the rhythmic and verbal storytellers of the culture. Through dynamic flows and dizzying raps, hip-hop emcees carry the African oral tradition into the 21st century. They act as a new kind of griot—creating a vital record of experiences that have long been silenced and shaping the story of now through spoken word.

BAM’s annual showcase of hip-hop and spoken word includes performances by Helixx C. Armageddon of the gender justice collective The Anomolies; Brooklyn MC and activist Silent Knight; hip-hop and spoken word artist Dahlak Brathwaite; hip-hop artist and producer Pri the Honeydark; interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, and filmmaker Jade Charon; DJ Reborn; and longtime host and co-curator MC Baba Israel.