ATL was alive this weekend with the heartbeat of the culture as the Hip-Hop Congress 2025 International Conference continued its powerful three-day celebration. Hosted at the iconic Auburn Avenue Research Library, Day 2 (Saturday, June 28) brought the energy, the knowledge, and the community together under one roof—free of charge, but rich in impact.
🗓️ Saturday Schedule: Culture in Full Session
From the morning mics to the late-night stage lights, Saturday’s programming was a full-course meal for the mind, body, and soul.
11:00 AM – Hip Hop Education w/ Professor J Rawls & John Robinson
The day kicked off with two legends of hip-hop pedagogy—Professor J Rawls and John Robinson—breaking down how hip-hop isn’t just a soundtrack, it’s a framework. They explored classroom innovations, student empowerment, and the power of curriculum rooted in lived cultural experience. For anyone building a bridge between education and the elements, this was sacred ground.
12:30 PM – Minister Server: The State of Hip Hop
Minister Server’s session was more than a panel—it was a sermon. Unflinching, insightful, and driven by love for the culture, his talk addressed the spiritual, political, and economic crossroads hip-hop currently stands at. From the street to the stage to the system, this was a call to elevate—not just entertain.
2:00 PM – Lunch Break
Breakbeats and break bread—attendees stepped out to fuel up and fellowship, from local ATL eats to quick collabs on the sidewalk. You could feel the energy charging up for round two.
3:00 PM – Sparky D & Friends: Stories of Hip-Hop Pioneers
Pioneer alert 🚨: When Sparky D takes the mic, you listen. One of the fiercest female battle MCs in hip-hop history brought her truth, along with fellow pioneers who painted a vivid picture of the early days. Their stories reminded everyone that today’s moves are rooted in yesterday’s courage.
4:30 PM – Ant Francis: Atlanta Yeek Dance Culture
If you don’t know about Yeek, now you do. ATL’s own Ant Francis led a celebration of this homegrown dance style—breaking down its history, style, and impact. Part lecture, part demo, part dance circle, the session honored the local flavor that keeps Atlanta on the map.
6:00 PM – Emile YX: Telling Our Stories / Creating Solutions
South Africa’s Emile YX brought international fire, speaking on the importance of self-publishing and narrative control. From zines to books to global distribution, Emile dropped gems on how artists and activists alike can document their lives and own their legacy.
9:00 PM – Artist Showcase
You already know Day 2 couldn’t close without a live cypher. The Artist Showcase lit the night up with performances from rising ATL stars and national names alike. Whether spitting bars, flipping beats, or setting the stage on fire with movement, the performers reminded us why hip-hop is the people’s genre.
