The City of Oklahoma City has declared November as Hip Hop History Month. In celebration of this recognition, the second annual Oklahoma Hip Hop Festival (OKHHFest) will be held Saturday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. followed by an After Party from 12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. with DJ Q-Eleven from Chicago at The Criterion, located at 500 E. Sheridan Ave. in Oklahoma City. The all-day event features performances, a master class, a film screening and a panel discussion.
OKHHFest and the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) have partnered to present a Master Class on “Indie Artist Essentials”, to be held Saturday, November 5, at 11:00 a.m. at the Criterion. Featuring guest speaker Joshua Fisher, the class is part of OKHHFest and admission is included with festival admission.
Joshua Fisher is a leader in the marketing and management of music and art. He began his career at Interscope Records working with labels such as G-Unit, Shady and Aftermath, and with acts such as 50 Cent, Eminem, Pharrell, Timbaland and Busta Rhymes. Fisher left Interscope to start his own management and consulting company, Mac Media Entertainment.
“OF+MO is proud to support the second annual Oklahoma Hip Hop Festival, as it is important that we recognize and celebrate our state’s rich, diverse musical genres and talent, as well as the opportunity to support and grow our local music infrastructure through industry development opportunities like the ‘Indie Artist Essentials’ master class,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky.
OKHHFest was created in 2015 to shine a light on Oklahoma’s music scene and demonstrate the vitality of a music style born in the late twentieth century that has now permeated popular culture worldwide. The festival will celebrate all elements of hip hop, with this year focusing on the various musical genres that influenced the birth of hip hop.
Headlining the festival is Dallas-based artist Blue, the Misfit., who is best known as a Red Bull Sound Select Artist and for collaborations with many artists. Other confirmed performers include Brandee (R&B/Soul, Tulsa), LINCKA (Latin, OKC), Jeremy Thomas (Jazz, OKC), Tao Hero (Hip Hop, Tulsa), Scott AF (Electronic R&B, OKC), JSUPER (Hip Hop, St. Louis), Dre B (Christian Hip Hop, OKC) and Chief Peace (Hip Hop, OKC).
“The Oklahoma Hip Hop Festival focuses on creating free arts educational programming throughout the state. As well as developing unity within the social demographics, while preserving the hip hop culture,” said OKHHFest Founder Gregory Jerome.
A Kick-Off Party for the festival will be held Tuesday, November 1, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Individual Artists of Oklahoma gallery, located at 706 W. Sheridan Ave., in Oklahoma City. The gallery will feature an exhibition of visual and performance artists that represent Oklahoma City’s hip hop community, curated by Zulu Nation member Randall Barnes. This event also has meet-and-greet opportunity for fans, festival performers and the public. Tickets are sold separately from the festival’s cost.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit oklahomahiphopfestival.com.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, The Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit www.okfilmmusic.org.