Every year the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival brings thousands of people to Brooklyn, showcasing independent local, national, and international talents. In 2010, over 15,000 in attendance were gathered to celebrate the event, and for this year, the festival continues its mission of honoring hip hop culture in all of its wonderful diversities.

As it enters its 7th year as New York City’s largest hip hop event, Wes Jackson, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival states, “We made great strides last year doubling the programming of BHF. This year our focus is to do it better. Provide more resources for developing artists and entrepreneurs, more outlets for local business and of course showcase the best and brightest our culture has to offer. This year look for us to continue to bring the best talent down to the Brooklyn waterfront. We are also expanding the ‘Bodega Education Initiative’ to a full day symposium. ‘Show and Prove’ and ‘Salute The DJ’ will be growing as we give a platform to not only the next great MC but also our elders behind the wheels of steel. Family Day, one of our most popular events will also see more unique programming. After all, Brooklyn Bodega is for the babies. All in all, we are looking forward to another stellar year.”

The following is the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival 2011 Calendar of Events:

• Show & Prove (MON. 7/11) – A showcase of independent and local Hip-Hop talent. There will be three preliminary S&P events in April, May and June. The three winners will compete at the S&P Super Bowl on July 11th for the opportunity to open up on the Main Stage on July 16th. To register artists must submit through Sonicbids.

• Bodega Education Initiative (TUES. 7/12) – A day of panel discussions and seminars designed to explore intellectual and academic issues facing the Hip-Hop community.

• Hip-Hop Art, Dance & Film (WED. 7/13) – A night of film screenings and visual art exhibitions.

• Salute The DJ (THURS. 7/14) – Dedicated to the backbone of Hip-Hop, the DJ. Event will feature performances by the best DJs from across the country. Up-and-coming DJs will also have an opportunity to participate similar to Show & Prove.

• Kickoff Party (FRI. 7/15) – As we ramp up for the big day on Saturday we will host a party to formally welcome Festival goers, past and current artists, community leaders, press, donors and various members of the Bodega Family.

• Family Day (SAT. 7/16) – This “block party” celebrates the core message of Hip-Hop: social change and individual empowerment. It features music, performances and demos from a host of family centric organizations.

• Main Stage Performances (SAT. 7/16) – The culmination of the 2011 programming. Old School, New School, Funk, Soul, Local and International artists converge upon downtown Brooklyn and the waterfront for a full day of the best Hip-Hop music our culture has to offer.

• After Party (SAT. 7/16) – Artists and attendees celebrate the end of Festival week with surprise performances and DJ sets.