2026 Hip Hop Convene

Get ready, Champaign-Urbana! The 2026 Hip Hop Convene is coming February 25-28! This campus and community-wide gathering will celebrate hip hop through performance, learning, creativity, and shared experience.

Four days of stunning performances, hands-on workshops, guest lectures, panel discussions, and seminars will help celebrate Black History Month and the second anniversary of Illinois Soul 101.1FM.

Events will be held throughout Champaign-Urbana, including Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, The Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, Gallery Art Bar, and the School of Music building. All are welcome!

Complete list of events

Wednesday, February 25

And ya’ don’t stop! Hip Hop Karaoke
Central Core Gallery, Spurlock Museum
7pm-10pm
Free, sign-up upon arrival

From block parties to downtown clubs, the MC will have you rocking the mic and keeping the party going. Can you emulate your favorite rapper? Show us what you’ve got! Perform a rap solo like J. Cole or NBA Youngboy. Gather your friends for a group song from Wu Tang Clan or the Migos. Embody the style. Invite your fans and friends!

And ya’ don’t stop! Hip Hop Karaoke is hosted by DJ TAT.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Thursday, February 26

Versa-Style Street Dance Company
Krannert Center Youth Series School Matinee
Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
10am
$10, tickets required
Versa-Style Event (KCYS) Details Here

Illinois Soul & Krannert Center Uncorked: Zo! and Tall Black Guy (feat. Debórah Bond)
Stage 5, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
5:30pm-7:00pm
Free, no tickets required
Uncorked Event Details Here!

Certified Organic, sponsored by Illinois Soul
Gallery Art Bar
8pm-10pm
Free, no tickets required

Downtown Urbana is set to come alive with even more grown and sexy vibes as the February Certified Organic Jam Sessions return, immediately following the Uncorked Special Editions, every Thursday evening at Gallery Art Bar. This month’s jam sessions are extra special, serving as a dual celebration of the Illinois Soul Anniversary and Black History Month, blending culture, community, and pure soul into one unforgettable experience.

Certified Organic Jam Sessions are powered by Illinois Soul Bring Grown & Sexy Soul o Downtown Urbana. Hosted by Afro-D.

Friday, February 27

Versa-Style Street Dance Company
Krannert Center Youth Series School Matinee
Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
10am
$10, tickets required
Versa-Style (KCYS) Event Details Here!

Versa-Style Street Dance Company: Rooted Rhythms
Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
7:30pm-9pm
$15 general, Students and Youth Free, tickets required
Versa-Style Event Details Here!

Hip Hop Convene Afterparty with DJ Rollie
Stage 5, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Approximately 9pm-10:30pm, DJ to start as patrons exit from Versa-Style’s performance.
Free, no tickets required
Hip Hop Convene Afterparty with DJ Rollie Event Details Here!

Saturday, February 28

Street College: Studio Saturdays
Music Building Room 0324 (Basement)
10am-12pm
Free, space is limited, registration is required and will open in January

Street College: Studio Saturdays is a free youth program for students ages 8-18. The program is presented in partnership by the nonprofit organization, Street College and the Hip Hop Innovation Center at the University of Illinois.

Meetings are from 10am-12pm in Room 0324 in the basement of the Music Building (1114 W. Nevada St. in Urbana, IL). Instructors will be present to guide musicians through activities related to creating original music, beatmaking, coding, DJing, electronics, engineering, recording, songwriting, and other expressive and collaborative activities.

There is no cost, experience, or equipment necessary to participate. However, space is limited, so those interested in reserving a seat should register ahead of time.

Register Here!

Street Currency: Design your own sneakers!
Central Core Gallery, Spurlock Museum
11am-3pm
Free, no registration required

Sneakers or ‘kicks’ have a high status within hip hop culture. From shell toe Adidas to Nike Air Force Ones, sneakers serve as street-credible currency. The right sneaker gains the wearer attention (views), recognition (social status), inclusion (access), and even envy (object of emulation). This street currency is used to influence hip hop’s aesthetic creativity while also helping to expand hip hop’s commercial and global reach.

Design, color, and assemble a paper replica of some ‘kicks’ that you associate with hip hop culture (in the U.S. and abroad).

More information can be found at the Spurlock Museum Event Post

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

LEGO Instrument Building Workshop with Randall Wilson and Suzi Analogue
Music Building Room 0324 (Basement)
1114 W. Nevada St., Urbana
1pm-3pm
Free, space is limited. Registration is required and will open in January.

Registration Here!

CU STEAMM Fair: Creative Connections – At the Intersection of Art and STEMM
Campus Instructional Facility
1405 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
1:30pm-4:30pm
Free, no registration required.

Join the Illinois Center for Family and Community Engaged STEAMM (FACES) and friends for an afternoon of interactive, hands-on activities and demonstrations that showcase the creative and expressive side of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. Families of middle and high school students are especially encouraged to attend.

This event includes: Street College: STEAM Genius from 2pm-4pm.

Calendar Information can be found here!

Mother Nature, Asha Omega, and Suzi Analogue
Performance and Panel Discussion
Colwell Playhouse, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
5pm-8pm
Free, tickets required
Mother Nature, Asha Omega, and Suzi Analogue Event Details Here!

The final event of the Convene begins with a panel discussion on Women in Hip Hop, featuring Klevah and Truth of Mother Nature, Asha Omega, and Suzi Analogue moderated by Dr. Malaika McKee. Performances from the panelists will follow.