Beats + Rhymes Exhibition Opening

November 8, 2025

MOPOP

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

From the boom-bap of basement tapes to breakbeats that shook global stages, Hip-Hop continues to transcend cultural barriers and inspire musical genres around the globe. This November, MOPOP invites you to a day-long celebration honoring Washington State’s Hip-Hop History Month and the debut of a special edition of MOPOP’s Guest Curator Program, Beats + Rhymes: A Collective Narrative of Hip Hop. Explore the five pillars oh Hip-Hop—MCing, DJing, Graffiti, Knowledge of Self, and Breakdancing— through costumes, ephemera, photos, and more, curated by this year’s Youth Advisory Board and Guest Curators Syreeta Gates and Abstract Kouadio.

Hip-Hop History Month Daytime Demos:

Beats + Rhymes Exhibition Opening featuring artifacts from MOPOP's permanent collection ‍
Selections from the 2025 Seattle Hip Hop Film Festival in Sound + Vision Theater ‍
Guest Curator Talk with Abstract Kouadio, Syreeta Gates, and Youth Advisory Board members, moderated by Associate Curator Adeerya Johnson ‍
DJ Demonstrations with DJ Wffls ‍
Hip-Hop Album Listening Sessions in The Lounge ‍
Pop In Drop In Family Program activation ‍
Photo Opportunities and additional activations

Meet the Curators

Syreeta Gates

Abstract Kouadio

Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

Beats + Rhymes Exhibition Opening

Event Supporters

Event Sponsors

Showcase Lineup

Meet the Curators

Event SPONSORS