Halifax will celebrate hip-hop culture next month at the city's first Hopscotch Arts Festival.
The September festival will feature a breakdance battle, DJ competition, free all-ages show by local rapper Classified and art by French graffiti artists Cellograff.
Organizers say they hope to overcome the stereotype that hip hop is about gangs and guns and show it's an accessible form of self-expression.
"This event will focus on positive, traditional hip hop," said festival chairman Drew Moore.
Pete Rock, a hip-hop pioneer from New York, will kick off the festival, along with Large Professor and JuJu from the Beatnuts.
Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly says the city is spending $35,000 on Hopscotch, which officials hope to make an annual event.
The festival runs Sept. 4-11 at various venues in downtown Halifax.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2010/08/11/ns-halifax-hip-hop-festival.html#ixzz0wKrBzKrX
