Brebaje Man, Hermanos de Causa, Doble Filo and Mexicans from Moyenei, were among the artists that performed in the inaugural show of this event, which will run until August 22.

According to organizers, over 50 artists have already confirmed their presence, among them Mackendy Jeune, from Haiti; Canadians Deheshi Empire and Lou Piensa; and Poetas de la Paz, from the United States.

Inaugurated in 2005, the event will have the Plaza Culture Center as its main venue, and it will be an excellent opportunity for creators of this genre to learn from each other and interact, and also to boost the vision of hip hop as an artistic expression.

This year’s program includes workshops on free-style rhymes and Hip Hop Theater. The latter will be given by US researchers Melinna Bobadilla and Abraham Velasquez.

Renowned musicians like Doble Filo, Raudel Escuadron Patriota and Maikel Extremo will perform at the Riviera every night, beginning at 10:00 pm.

Important critics and academicians will debate about the gender approach and violence in Cuban popular music, as part of the theoretical meetings scheduled.
Joaquin Borges Triana will give a lecture on alternative music and its insertion on the island, while Aime Rosa Pompa, a journalist and a professor from the University of Oriente, will analyze the promotion of hip hop by the media.

Founded by the La Fabril project, headed by the bands Obsesion, Hermanazos and actress Lourdes Suarez, the symposium is sponsored by the Cuban Rap Agency, the Cuban Music Institute and the Hermanos Saiz Association.