UCLAs Hip Hop Congress Celebrates Culture with Workshops, Fashion Show and Annual Concert

On September 9, 2026, the Hip Hop Congress (HHC) marked its 2026 Kickoff event at the University of California, Los Angeles. The organization, which began in the 1990s under the Afrikan Student Union, now functions as one of nine groups within UCLA’s Cultural Affairs Commission.

HHC’s current co‑directors are third‑year music industry student Zara Lindiwe Liywalii and fourth‑year sociology student Audrey Ohwobete. The group’s mission is to provide “cultural edutainment” – a blend of education and entertainment – that highlights hip‑hop’s history, its contemporary evolution, and its role as a platform for students and artists of color.

The organization’s programming is diverse. Throughout the academic year, HHC hosts music‑production workshops led by industry professionals, live performances by emerging artists, film panels, and a fashion show that showcases work from student and local designers. The fashion show also features a musical act; the most recent performer was Kalan.FrFr. These events culminate in the annual concert “Explosion,” which has featured acts such as Outkast, Luh Tyler, Molly Santana, and Kalan.FrFr.

Hip‑Hop Appreciation Month, celebrated each February, is a core component of HHC’s calendar. The month began in 2004 and includes the workshops, film panels, and the fashion show. According to Liywalii, the goal is to “make workshops on hip‑hop and its related arts, platform newer artists, even screening films.” Ohwobete added that the month’s purpose is to “celebrate Hip Hop Appreciation Month, while also presenting different things in culture that we’re seeing that we want people to pay attention to and learn about.”

The organization emphasizes community building. Frimpong, a former co‑director and UCLA alumnus, notes that HHC provides a space for marginalized students, especially Black students who make up about 4 % of UCLA’s enrollment. He says the group “provides a platform for students and artists of color” and stresses the importance of respecting hip‑hop’s origins as a Black art form.

HHC’s activities extend beyond performance. The fashion show is described as a “visual aspect of hip‑hop culture,” and the group’s workshops cover music production, film, and fashion. Liywalii explains that “fashion exists right with music, and music exists right with visual art.” The organization’s programming is designed to allow students with a range of interests to find a place within the group.

The 2026 Kickoff event, held in front of the UCLA campus, highlighted the organization’s role as a cultural hub. The event was covered by campus media and featured a photo of HHC members standing in front of the university’s main building.

HHC’s structure as a non‑profit, international grassroots organization aligns with its educational mission. The group’s activities are coordinated by the Cultural Affairs Commission, which oversees nine campus organizations that promote diverse cultural expressions.

The organization’s leadership and programming demonstrate a commitment to both honoring hip‑hop’s historical roots and fostering contemporary artistic expression. By combining workshops, performances, fashion, and community engagement, HHC offers a comprehensive platform for students and artists to explore and celebrate hip‑hop culture.

The next major event for HHC is the “Explosion” concert, scheduled for late February 2027. The event will continue the tradition of showcasing emerging hip‑hop talent and celebrating the month’s cultural programming.