This summer spend an evening with Shawn Edwards and Don Juan as they talk about 50 years of Hip-Hop and the culture’s impact on Kansas City, starting Friday June 2.
It’s a conversation celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The culture was born on August 11th, 1973 in the South Bronx. Rapping, DJ’ing, Break-dancing and Graffiti would become the essential elements of the culture and the culture would become a global phenomenon. Kansas City too was heavily influenced by the culture and this is that story.
Edwards is a former writer for The Source, Vibe and XXL magazines along with being the first Black editor at The Pitch KC. While at The Pitch, Edwards extensively covered the Kansas City hip-hop scene. He was the first to write about then emerging rap artist Tech N9ne, wrote a cover story on Sole, the most successful female rapper to emerge from Kansas City and introduced the world to the Flavorpak movement. Don Juan is a prolific music producer and groundbreaking beat maker who has produced hit songs for Tech N9ne, E-40, Crooked I and many others.
They’ll both present an ‘uncut’ oral history of Kansas City and Hip-Hop, sharing stories on how the culture impacted the fountain city. The pair will share stories about Tech N9ne’s rise to fame, the Mac Dre murder, how local politicians and activists tried and failed to ban gangsta rap and many other anecdotes hosted by local YouTube star Kimology.
Kansas City artist Warren Harvey will also be creating a Hip-Hop inspired painting live during the event featuring DJ Skeme.
Friday, June 2nd
The 2000 Vine Building
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
6:00PM VIP Reception with DJ Roc
7:00PM “Growing Up Hip-Hop in Kansas City”
8:00PM Q&A
FREE TICKETS: Cognitoforms.com
Sponsored by House of Kush and JuneteenthKC.
SHAWN EDWARDS
Shawn Edwards is an award-winning journalist and film critic who has written for The Source, Vibe and XXL magazines. He is currently the executive producer of the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television and film critic for Fox 4 News (Kansas City).
DON JUAN
Don Juan is a prolific music producer. He has produced hit songs for Tech N9ne, Crooked I, E-40 and many more. He is currently working with Freeway Rick Ross on the Peace Rally which is an updated version of the Self Destruction and We All In The Same Gang movements.
KIMOLOGY
Kim Newsome, a.k.a. Kimology is a creative influencer born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a screenwriter, playwright and is known for her show “Kimology” on YouTube, which earned her a Kansas City People’s Choice Award for Best Podcast in 2021. Outside of her show, you can catch her on stage performing with “The Phantastics,” as well as hosting at local events.
WARREN HARVEY
Warren ‘Stylez’ Harvey was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Warren, also referred to as “Stylez” an alias used to denote his uniqueness, has enjoyed creating art from a very young age. Warren works predominantly as a painter, using acrylic paint to illustrate his journey within. He creates to inspire and uplift himself and others. Using bright vibrant colors, to display the creativity and beauty of The Creator.
JUNETEENTHKC
JuneteenthKC is Kansas City, Missouri’s premiere community heritage celebration and is hosted annually within the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District.
Every June, hundreds of thousands of people across the United States crowd the streets of their cities to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday, as they once did in Kansas City over 20 years ago. The streets of downtown Kansas City were once filled with fascinating sights, and reverberated with the sounds of vibrant KC talent and smells of authentic home-style barbeque.
Legacy Development in partnership with District Stakeholders and African American Cultural/Educational agencies work together to host a cultural event that allows people from all backgrounds to celebrate the progression of the African American community and enjoy the spirit of remembrance, unity, and personal independence.
JuneteenthKC in its current form features a vast variety of musical performances, live entertainment, a variety of retail, food, non-profit/public service, and youth-oriented vendors. In addition, the JuneteenthKC Main Stage features Kansas City’s best live entertainment.
The event is the first of a series of events celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop in Kansas City:
Friday, June 2nd
A Night with Shawn Edwards and Don Juan: Growing Up Hip-Hop in Kansas City
2000 Vine
Saturday, August 12th
Hip-Hop Brunch: Celebrating Hip-Hop’s Impact on Hollywood Society
Saturday, August 12th
Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop KC Concert
The Gem Theater
Friday, August 11th — Wednesday, August 13th
Hip-Hop Film Festival
Screenland Armour Theatre
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