SOURCE360 Conference & Festival Returns For 5th Year

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN/FORT GREENE – The SOURCE360 Conference & Festival returns to Brooklyn for a fifth year. A cultural and community celebration that embodies the 360-degree spectrum of art, dance, music, fashion, film, sports, and technology influenced by hip-hop culture, the fest will feature a series of events throughout Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene from Thursday, September 6 through Sunday, September 9.

A collaboration between hip-hop/entertainment magazine The Source and The North Star Group, SOURCE360 celebrates the innovation and creativity inspired by NYC hip-hop. The event organizers seek to engage the community and promote education among middle school and high school students through art, entertainment, and technology.

With “Health” as the theme this year, some of the confirmed speakers and panelists for the conference include activist Tamika D. Mallory, Hudlin Entertainment’s Reginald Hudlin, author/filmmaker Nelson George, photographer/director Marc Baptiste, fashion stylist Misa Hylton, boxer Zab Judah, beauty expert Africa Miranda, fitness guru Brittne Babe, and fashion model Jessica White.

At BRIC House (647 Fulton Street) on Friday, the “Unsigned Hype” Showcase features musical talent on the verge of breaking through, so audiences can check out acts before they make it big. Biggie Smalls, Common, Eminem, and Mobb Deep are some of the alumni of the Unsigned Hype program. (Tickets $20)

On Saturday, September 8, the free 2018 SOURCE360 Block Party will feature musical and dance performances, as well as food, a fashion show, sports activities, virtual reality games, and more. The daylong event will be held at Rockwell Place between 12pm to 6pm.

The KIDS360 portion of the block party will feature a talent show and basic boxing lessons from Zab Judah for fitness, self-defense, and self-motivation. The Brooklyn United Marching Band and Uber Soca Cruise artists will also perform.

Following Saturday’s block party, a special tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, will be held at BRIC House (647 Fulton Street). Doug E. Fresh, Scarface, KeKe Wyatt, Elle Varner, Renee Neufville, Justin Love, Josh X, and more will salute the icon by performing selections of her work. (Tickets $25)

Check out the full schedule of SOURCE360 events here. Learn more at SOURCE360.