Hip Hop and Race take center stage at the 3rd Annual Hip Hop Cultural Summit, happening Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Delaware Art Museum. Coinciding with the opening of Imprinted: Illustrating Race—a traveling exhibition organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum—and building on the powerful conversations from the past two Summits, this year’s event will explore how Hip Hop continues to challenge racial barriers, amplify marginalized voices, and inspire change.
Presented by AllHipHop, Guerrilla Republik, and the Delaware Art Museum, the Summit will feature dynamic panel discussions, art exhibitions, a rap battle, DJs, and an all-female breakdancing showcase—highlighting Hip Hop as both a cultural force and a tool for social justice.
This year promises to be the most impactful yet, with Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, co-founder of the legendary Run-DMC, headlining the event. McDaniels will deliver a keynote discussion and host a book signing, adding a powerful voice to a day dedicated to dialogue, creativity, and community.
10:00 AM Doors Open, Opening Remarks – Hip-Hop’s impact on race, culture, civic engagement and social justice.
10:20 AM – 10:30 AM Land dedication led by Brother Iz Balleto (Location: Auditorium)
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Panel #1: Rosedale Beach: The hidden history of Rosedale Beach, a segregated resort that hosted Stevie Wonder, Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, James Brown and others. Hosts: Dr. Grouchy Greg and Tamara Burks (Location: Auditorium)
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM The Uncut Truth: Hip Hop, Race and the Cultural Revolution (Location: Jefferson Lobby)
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM Breakdancing Showcase Ladies of Hip-Hop, DJ: Cruz Khaoz (Location: Fusco Hall)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM DMC Book Signing (Location: Museum Store)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Panel #2: Hip-Hop and Race with special guests, Steve Lobel, Martha Diaz, Nataanie Means, Michelle McPherson, and Rabb Love Moderator: Power 99’s Roxy Romeo (Location: Auditorium)
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Guided Tour: Imprinted: Illustrating Race Exhibition Tours – On this guided tour, led by a DelArt Gallery Leader, discover how illustration has reflected and shaped perceptions of race in American culture, highlighting both harmful imagery and artists’ efforts to challenge stereotypes and tell new stories.
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM MC BATTLE, Beats: Hezekiah, Judges: Rex Luger, Chino Terintino (Location: Auditorium)
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Fireside Chat With RUN-DMC’s Darryl “DMC” McDaniel’s and AllHipHop Co-Founder Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur. DMC and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur will discuss the early origins of Run-DMC, the group’s impact on race through their groundbreaking music, performances, and collaborations, and DMC’s current businesses. (Location: Auditorium)
4:45 PM Closing Remarks
Note: Panelists and times are subject to change. Attendees are encouraged to check for updates and announcements.
We’re continuing to celebrate Hip Hop, civic engagement, and activism by featuring MCing battles as part of this year’s Hip Hop element competitions. Battle participants will compete for 1st ($300 gift card), 2nd ($200 gift card), and 3rd ($100 gift card) place prizes in each category. Each battle will be judged by a panel of three experts—renowned masters of their respective Hip Hop elements. Judges will be announced soon—stay tuned!
Innovator, Motivator, Philanthropist, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels changed music and made history when he broke down cultural barriers with his legendary band Run-DMC. Forty million record sales and a billion streams later, he continues to inspire & impact the world.
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is a music icon and co-founder of the legendary group Run-DMC, one of the most influential forces in music, fashion, and culture. With more than 40 million records sold and a billion streams worldwide, DMC helped break barriers as the first rap group on MTV and the first to grace the cover of Rolling Stone. He is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Beyond music, DMC is a successful author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He founded Darryl Makes Comics and Darryl Makes Cookies, released the children’s book Darryl’s Dream, and co-authored two acclaimed memoirs. His advocacy work includes co-founding The Felix Organization for children in foster care, serving on the boards of multiple nonprofits, and using his platform to promote mental health awareness, adoption, and youth empowerment.
Still creating and inspiring, DMC continues to release new music and collaborate across genres, while championing the transformative power of Hip Hop and art.
This event is sponsored by AllHipHop.com, the Center for Interventional Pain & Spine, TD Charitable Foundation, AEG International, New Castle County, and Guerrilla Republik. This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.
