Museum partnering with DC BID and Woolly Mammoth Theatre for weeklong pre-induction celebration with interactive Hip-Hop exhibit and Hip-Hop Happy Hours free for all ages
(WASHINGTON, DC – July 7, 2025) –The National Hip-Hop Museum (NHHM) announces its newest Hall of Fame honorees will be Kid ‘n Play, Jungle Brothers, DJ Red Alert, Dana Dane, Kwamé, Sweet Tee and DJ Hollywood. The National Hip-Hop Honors 2025 grand induction ceremony/concert event takes place Saturday, Aug. 23, at the historic Woolly Mammoth Theatre (641 D St. NW, Washington, DC 20004).
NHHM also will present its first ever weeklong pre-induction celebration, thanks to a partnership with the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (DC BID) and Woolly Mammoth Theatre. The Theatre will display rare Hip-Hop artifacts from NHHM’s vast collection during free family-friendly Hip-Hop Happy Hours, Aug. 18 through 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. each day.
“Bringing a week-long activation, interactive exhibit and The National Hip-Hop Honors to the Historic Woolly Mammoth Theatre is an amazing partnership that we’re excited about,” said NHHM Founder and Collector Jeremy Beaver. “We’re grateful to the Downtown DC BID for helping to bring some of the biggest Hip-Hop icons to the nation’s capital to be honored and perform.”
Week of Celebration
Free for all ages and open to the public, the interactive exhibit features such artifacts as vintage hip-hop posters, one-of-a-kind stage worn jackets, The Hip-Hop Declaration of Peace by KRS-ONE, and Gold and Platinum RIAA Awards. Selected by NHHM Chief Curator Red Summer, the items all have scannable QR codes which unlock rare and unique Hip-Hop videos.
Additional themed activities take place as follows:
-Aug. 18 – MC Monday: Open Mic freestyle session ($250 Cash Prize)
-Aug. 19 – Turntable Tuesday: – With DJ Mixoff ($250 Cash Prize for the Best Mix Set)
-Aug. 20 – Wild Style Wednesday: Graffiti Art Competition ($250 Cash Prize)
-Aug. 21 – B-Boy & B-Girl Thursday: With DJ B Blast – Open Breakdance forum ($250 Cash Prize)
-Aug. 22 – Grown Folks Friday: DJ Dance Party w/ DJ B Blast and Pop-Up Hip-Hop Shop (18 & Over)
Saturday Spectacle
The exhibit will remain on display Aug. 23 from noon to 10 p.m., during which time guests can also browse through a Pop-Up Experience with specialty Hip-Hop items from The Hip-Hop Shop. Merchandise—designed by NHHM Digital Director CLB and curated by NHHM Retail Director Erica Parham—includes limited edition Hip-Hop posters, T-shirts, hats, rare action figures, and trading cards.
From noon to 4 p.m., Rapper Big Pooh and Apollo Brown will host The Beat Konductaz Beat Battle, and NHHM’s Chief Fabricator DJ DVS will live-craft a cake into a Hip-Hop edible creation. From noon to 8 p.m., NHHM Resident Artist Kevin “Scene” Lewis will paint live canvases dedicated to the inductees with custom art pieces on display by NHHM Creative Director Andy Katz.
Press and VIPs are encouraged to take part in the Red Carpet Experience from 4 to 5 p.m. with NHHM’s Ambassadors, The Hip-Hop Trooper and The Hip-Hop Warrior. From 5 to 6 p.m., they can also watch a live podcast with all the inductees hosted by Grandmaster Caz.
After the reading of the Mayor’s Proclamation by DC BID President Gerren Price and blessing from NHHM Spiritual Advisor Dr. Ansel “Preach” Augustine, the induction ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. NHHM Executive Director and Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Master Gee will serve as emcee while NHHM Music Director DJ RBI and NHHM Historian Jay Quan present the induction speeches and awards. NHHM Fashion Director Neil Taylor will adorn each inductee with custom jackets and hats with one-of-a-kind handmade medallions from Bucky Davis.
The celebration will culminate in a post-induction concert from 8 to 10 p.m. featuring Dana Dane, Kwamé Jungle Brothers with DJ Red Alert and headliners, Kid ‘n Play, whose performance will celebrate the 35th anniversary of their movie, House Party.
Tickets can be purchased at nationalhiphopmuseum.org as follows:
–General Admission: $50/person for access to the exhibit, Pop-Up Experience and concert
–VIP: $75/person for access to the exhibit, Pop-Up Experience, Red Carpet Experience, podcast, induction ceremony, and concert with NHHM tote, commemorative poster, and limited-edition Hip-Hop trading cards.
About The Hip-Hop Shop
The Hip-Hop Shop is the flagship retail and event space of the National Hip-Hop Museum. Open since January, 2023, it features the East Coast’s largest selection of hip-hop memorabilia, including: vintage apparel, sneakers, toys, memorabilia, vinyl and art. The shop is located at 326 N. Stonestreet Ave., Suite A2, Rockville, MD 20850. Merchandise also is available for online purchase at nationalhiphopshop.com.
About The Museum
Launched in 2019, the National Hip-Hop Museum of Washington DC is the world’s first hip-hop museum. As the leading organization in hip-hop preservation, history and education, this 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization comprises The House of Hip-Hop Art Galleries, The Hip-Hop Shop, The Hip-Hop Cafe and The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience. Executive director is Master Gee, a multi-platinum recording artist, founder and the voice of the legendary hip-hop group, The Sugarhill Gang.
The centerpiece of the NHHM is a collection of over 5,000 exclusive and authentic pieces of memorabilia, artifacts, posters, sneakers and other rare and historic items representing all aspects of the culture. Drawing on hip-hop’s longstanding tradition of empowerment and social awareness, the NHHM offers a series of community-oriented seminars and workshops focusing on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, health and wellness and social justice. NHHM is currently consolidating its inventory from three smaller locations into a combined larger space in Downtown Washington, DC, slated to open in 2026. For more information, visit nationalhiphopmuseum.org.
