The second annual KC Hip-Hop Week began Sunday, June 1st, highlighting many of the city’s beloved artists.
Starting with a press conference and a kickoff party at 1436 Kansas Ave.., KCK, the week-long celebration of “live shows, dance battles, and cultural experiences” will include 16 events from June 1 - June 7, including a meet-and-greet with some of Kansas City’s favorite rappers.
Local hip-hop legend and entrepreneur Walter Edwin, known by his stage name, The Popper, credits his hometown as his inspiration for his music.
“I write a lot of songs from the heart, and I represent Kansas City in everything I do. That’s why I have the store called the IMKC store at 8600 Ward Parkway and 1809 Vine (Street),” said Edwin. IMKC sells T-shirts, hats, hoodies and other merchandise representing Kansas City pride.
“It’s always great to perform for Kansas City, and, you know, show your pride and enthusiasm and be repping the section that we carry around the whole globe in our heart.”
The Popper is only one of many artists that will make appearances throughout the performance-filled week. Local artists Ray Muney, Brandoshis, King Kihei, and Cuzz Cuzz were all at Ward Parkway Center to meet their fans on Tuesday evening.
For Raimon Gilliam, known by his stage name Ray Muney, hip-hop is a way to express his experiences. From growing up in the streets of Kansas City to serving jail time, Gilliam shared how rapping about his harsh experiences has made fans love him.
“I do it for the culture of Kansas City,” Gilliam said. “They love me here, so when I take my experiences and not shy away from them and the people that I love, they love me too.”
Gilliam’s next EP, titled “RSN 2”, is to be released in July, with another track dropping later this year.
With new and rising stars like Ray Muney now in the scene, artists of the previous decades express how times have changed for their industry.
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