Howard University to Host Third Annual Hip Hop Studies Conference Exploring Innovation, Technology, and the Future

Howard University is gearing up for its third annual Hip Hop Studies Conference, taking place November 14–16. This year’s theme is right on time: “Respect the Technique: Hip-Hop and Technology.” The multi-day event will examine how hip-hop continues to drive innovation through sound, experimentation, and digital creativity, staying true to its roots while constantly evolving.

According to Howard University’s The Digg, the student-centered conference will bring together artists, scholars, technologists and culture shifters for a packed weekend of panels, workshops, film screenings and live demonstrations. Attendees will dive into the ways technology shapes hip-hop’s production, performance and global reach, from engineering and beat-making to AI tools, streaming platforms and digital storytelling.

This year’s special guests represent some of the most influential voices in the game. Rapper and producer Reuben Vincent, Grammy Award winning producer 9th Wonder, Grammy Award winning artist The D.O.C., legendary engineer Young Guru and South African emcee ZuluMecca are all slated to participate.

The weekend kicks off Friday night with an opening reception at Eaton DC before moving into two full days of campus programming. Panel highlights include “The Art of the Mix” featuring Creating Classics, the “Hip-Hop Futures” film showcase and international conversations on technology, creativity, innovation and resistance within the culture.

Admission is free for students and fifty dollars for the public, making the event accessible to anyone looking to explore hip-hop beyond the surface. Registration is now open at HUHipHop.Eventbrite.com.