Portland’s Hip Hop Week returns to the Rose City August 20 - August 27
Portland Hip Hop Week is an annual celebration of art and culture in Northern Oregon. The festivities bring together artists of all types, from DJ’s to rappers to break dancers and everything in between. Founded in 2015 by legendary Portland DJ O.G.ONE who is a DJ for the Portland Trailblazers as well as Vice President of the PNW Recording Academy and the late northwest music industry icon StarChile, the events focus on community engagement and are community-organized.
“I wanted to make sure that ownership was to everybody who said that they love hip hop,” David Jackson (DJ O.G.ONE) said.
It’s important to Jackson that the event includes everyone who wants to express themselves through the art form. Individuals and groups can submit their events to Portland Hip Hop Week and receive a sanction for it to take place.
“The core of hip hop week is centered around taking hip hop back to its foundations, which were centered around unifying,” Jackson said. “It’s about respect and showing love for the culture and each other. And of course having fun while you do it.”
One way Jackson ensures the event honors the culture is by requiring each event to honor someone who has contributed to the Portland hip hop community. He says organizers must provide an award centered around recognizing legacies left by some of the area's most legendary names.
This year’s week will feature seven events between August 20th and 27th, culminating in the Star Awards.
“The Star Awards are like our city’s Grammys,” Jackson said. “It gives me a chance to zero in on people who are contributing to the community, both legends and newcomers. One of my biggest things is that often we let our legends and our people die before we give them their flowers, so I want to change that narrative and let them see the respect we have while they’re living.”
Another event to watch out for during the week is a DJ workshop with Grand Wizzard Theodore. Jackson credits the legendary DJ with perfecting scratching and the needle drop. He says it will be an educational and engaging event and a chance for all involved to get a sense of the community that has been built.
“It’s going to be cool for him to be able to see that people like him are valued outside of what is being commercialized,” Jackson said.
The idea of community-centric events and a culture which is bred from love and connection runs through the very foundation of Portland Hip Hop Week. It is an event which continues to grow, and this year’s edition should be one of the brightest yet.
You can find more information at pdxhiphopweek.com
Event flyers are below
