Media Contact: Nicole Diaz, nicole.diaz.545@my.csun.edu, or Carmen Ramos Chandler, carmen.chandler@csun.edu, (818) 677-2130
California State University, Northridge’s Center for the Interdisciplinary Pursuit of Hip-Hop Elevation & Research (CIPHER) Symposium is returning to showcase live hip-hop performances, DJ’s, dancers, graffiti installations, food trucks and more.
The fourth annual CIPHER Symposium will celebrate over 50 years of hip-hop, as well as its global impact. Special guest judges include DJ Revolution, DJ C-Los of Beat Junkies Institute and many others. The event is free and open to the public and is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 23rd at the Northridge Center in the University Student Union, located at 18111 Nordhoff St. from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Yan Searcy, dean of College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said the event reflects the goal of applying a “critical academic lens and an inspiring insight into the art form”
“It’s an opportunity to be engaged, learn, and be entertained,” he said. “It signals that the cultural significance of hip hop extends past clubs and headphones to the classroom and community.”
The symposium host is Sirius XM Shade 45 personality and CSUN CIPHER Professor Skyy Hook, who teaches in the Department of Anthropology.
Searcy said he hopes the event links the community with the university, noting that the symposium encourages attendees to examine the cultural impact of Hip-Hop ideas from a political, social and artistic view.
“It is a reflection of the diversity of the global experience. It consistently ranks in the top five of the most listened to music forms in the world.”
Sign-language interpretation will be provided. For more information, email csbsevents@csun.edu.
