Our History

Originating and founded as the Brighton Hip Hop Festival (BHHF) by a small team in 2004 and rebranded in 2008, RISING STYLES (RS) has become the UK’s largest celebration of International Hip Hop culture. Over the past number of years the festival has gone from strength to strength and is recognised as a must attend event for all Hip Hop enthusiasts, as well as anyone with an interest in the many art forms that are comprised within the culture.

Curated and delivered by arts development agency KALA PHOOL, RISING STYLES exists as ‘not for profit’ to celebrate the richness, strength and diversity of Hip Hop culture, with many of its events free to attend. Historically the festival has been supported by a range of the large public funders. The 2006 festival was a huge success with more than 25,000 people attending throughout. In 2007, despite last minute funding difficulties we saw thousands attend the various events, largely thanks to the sector, local businesses and new funders who stepped up and supported the project. We have even had festivals which have been delivered with extraordinarily low budgets but this is not sustainable and all the help we can achieve enables the hundreds of artists involved to thrive.

Rising Styles and the future

Building on the success of previous years, the 2010 festival currently being developed will boast a fantastic line up of high profile events, designed to appeal to audiences new and old that were bigger and better than ever. They included:

• Launch event in London
• Fresh Styles Hip Hop Film Festival
• Poetry and MC shows
• Youth workshops in music production, MC-ing, DJ-ing, breakdancing and art and design
• Live public art through Frieze Box
• Battlejam (a day long breakdance event)
• Hip Hop Foundation (educational programme)
• Festival Music
• Performances

RISING STYLES has seen attendance figures go through the roof over the years! With people travelling from across the globe we were certainly kept busy!

Sponsorship

As a not for profit festival run by a small team of volunteers and the need for financial support is immense. If you are a sponsor who wants to connect with this dynamic sector and varied audience then do get in touch. This is your opportunity to be a part of something spectacular that shouts from the rooftops its commitment to Hip Hop’s grassroot beginnings and become a festival Hero.

Contact us via the form below if you wish to support Rising Styles.

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