The National Hip-Hop Honors 2025

(NHHM) has partnered with the historic and the t (DC BID) to host The National Hip-Hop Honors 2025.

Unlike NHHM’s previous Grand Induction Ceremonies, this will be a week-long celebration taking place at the Theatre (641 D St. NW, Washington, DC 20004).

All week, the Theatre will display rare Hip-Hop artifacts from NHHM’s vast collection selected by Chief Curator Red Summer. The exhibit will be interactive: each artifact will have scannable QR codes that unlock rare and unique Hip-Hop videos from the past.

Monday thru Friday will offer FREE Family-Friendly Hip-Hop Happy Hours from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Monday: MC Monday -(Open Mic freestyle session for ALL Ages($250 Cash Prize)
• Tuesday: Turntable Tuesday- DJ Mixoff for ALL Ages ($250 Cash Prize for the Best Mix Set)
• Wednesday: Wild Style Wednesday - Graffiti Art Competition for ALL Ages w/ $250 Cash Prize
• Thursday: B-Boy & B-Girl Thursday w/ DJ B Blast - Open Breakdance forum for ALL Ages ($250 Cash Prize)
• Friday: Freaknik Friday Down South DJ Party w/ DJ B Blast and Pop-Up Hip-Hop Shop (18 & Over)

Saturday will be a day-long Pop-up Experience with Specialty Hip-Hop Merch designed by Digital Director CLB plus other products from The Hip-Hop Shop curated by Retail Director Erica Parham, and culminating with The National Hip-Hop Honors. Doors open at noon with a Beat Battle by The Beat Konductaz Hosted by DJ Pooh and Apollo Brown. From 12-4 p.m., The National Hip-Hop Museum’s Chief Frabricator DJ DVS will be live-crafting a cake into an amazing Hip-Hop edible creation while the museum’s Resident Artist Kevin “Scene” Lewis will paint live canvases dedicated to the Hip-Hop Legends that are being honored w/ custom art pieces on display by NHHM Creative Director Andy Katz.

Press and VIPs are encouraged to take part in the Red Carpet Experience with NHHM’s Ambassadors The Hip-Hop Trooper and The Hip-Hop Warrior. This will be followed by a Podcast with all the inductees Hosted by Grandmaster Caz. The Museum’s Spiritual Advisor Dr. Ansel “Preach” Augustine will bless the ceremony after which Executive Director Master Gee will address the audience as NHHM Music Director DJ RBI and NHHM Historian Jay Quan present the Induction Speeches and Awards to Sweet Tee, Kwamé, Dana Dane, DJ Hollywood, Jungle Brothers and Kid ‘n Play. Fashion Director Neil Taylor will adorn each Inductee with custom jackets and hats with one-of-a-kind handmade medallions from Bucky Davis.

Logistics Director Mark Madsen will ensure transportation and timing for the Hip-Hop Legends.

Videography provided by NHHM Documentarian Cortez McKay and Wesley Warren

Photography by Roger Batchelor.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE: The National Hip-Hop Honors

• 12-10p Pop-Up Exhibit w/ Specialty Hip-Hop Merch Sales
• 12-4p Beat Konductaz Beat Battle w/ Rapper Big Pooh & Apollo Brown
• 12-4p Live Hip-Hop Cake Fabrication
• 12-8p Live Hip-Hop Painting
• 4-5p RED CARPET
• 5-6p Podcast: All Inductees
• 6p Gerren Price Reads Mayor Proclamation
• 6:15p Dr. Ansel “Preach” Augustine Blesses The Ceremony
• 7p Induction Ceremony: All Inductees
• 8p Dana Dane performance
• 8:15p Kwamé Performance
• 8:30p Jungle Brothers w/ DJ Red Alert Performance
• 9p Kid ’n Play Performance

Host or Publisher The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience