Respect da Street Culture!

Verda Kaya in conversation with Lutz Schramm, Veit Braml (PHITE), Runex and DJ Sir-BEEE aka MC Akustische Optik

Hip-hop arrived in East and West Berlin in the 1980s. Despite differing political conditions, the creative adoption of this American youth culture flourished on both sides of the city. This session focuses on music: What opportunities and limitations did artists encounter? What spaces did they create for themselves? And what changed after the fall of the Berlin Wall? Join us for a journey through time with radio presenter Lutz Schramm, rapper Veit from East Berlin, and DJs Runex and Bee from West Berlin.

Curated and moderated by Verda Kaya.

Creative fashion workshop with Sonnenkind Design – inspired by hip-hop culture

In this creative workshop, fashion becomes a statement. Together with the label Sonnenkind Design, participants will design their own streetstyle pieces and explore hip-hop, identity and self-expression in a playful way. Whether patchwork, prints or slogans – you create what moves you. For everyone who wants to wear their story. Materials provided, no prior experience required. Limited capacity.

In cooperation with StreetUniverCity Berlin e.V.

Workshop with Kadir “Amigo” Memiş

Experience breakdance live: dancer, choreographer and artist Kadir “Amigo” Memiş introduces the basics of urban movement – from first steps to advanced moves.
Suitable for beginners and experienced dancers.

In cooperation with StreetUniverCity Berlin e.V.

Vinyl, Verses and Vibes

Back to the roots: DJ Marc Hype delivers authentic boom-bap beats, while MC KHALiF030 reaches the crowd with sharp rhymes and meaningful messages.
These hip-hop veterans demonstrate how beats and lyrics have been breaking down barriers and connecting people since the 1980s.
A live set blending turntablism, storytelling and community – right in the museum.

In cooperation with StreetUniverCity Berlin e.V.

Verda Kaya is a cultural studies scholar and curated the Hip-Hop station at BERLIN GLOBAL. Her doctoral thesis was published under the title “HipHop between Istanbul and Berlin. A (German-)Turkish youth culture in local and transnational networks.” She currently works freelance as a curator, researcher and educator in the museum sector, with a thematic focus on migration and subcultures.

Born in Leipzig in 1959, Lutz Schramm began working as a sound technician for East German radio in 1977. In 1984, he moved to the music editorial team of “Stimme der DDR”. From 1986 to 1992, he hosted the programmes “Parocktikum” and “Vibrationen” on youth radio DT64. After a stint at “Rockradio B”, he became part of the founding team of “Fritz”, the youth channel of rbb. From 1994 onwards, Schramm focused primarily on developing web platforms and digital projects for ORB and later rbb.

During the final years of the GDR, Veit was a key figure in shaping East Germany’s hip-hop scene as a B-Boy and MC. He was initially part of the Streetlife crew, which later evolved into EASTSIDE ATTACK and then DOWNTOWN LYRICS. He performed at national hip-hop parties and rap contests across East Germany. A highlight was performing at the former Seelenbinder Halle in Berlin alongside STEREO MC’s and WESTBAM’s LOW Spirit project in October 1989. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, he performed in West Germany and Switzerland. In 1991, Downtown Lyrics disbanded, and Veit co-founded A REAL DOPE THING with two former members. He collaborated on numerous projects including ROCK DA MOST, HYPE A DELICS and CHEEBA GARDEN. In 1995, A REAL DOPE THING released an EP. Since the group’s dissolution, Veit has occasionally featured on other hip-hop artists’ releases. Since 2023, he has co-initiated the now-legendary Old School Hip-Hop Camps.

Runex grew up in West Berlin and began breakdancing in 1983. Until 1988, he was part of B-Boying groups such as Graffiti Boys, Scee Freeze and the United Five, and ESB-Rock. He started DJing in 1985 and began organising concerts with his group Imperial Nation Berlin in 1987. With Rock Da Most, he helped shape Berlin’s hip-hop scene and released the record “Use The Posse”. As co-founder of the hip-hop label Juiceful Records, he released music by Islamic Force, Cheeba Garden, Hype a Delics, Halt keine Gewalt and Juiceful Jazz. In 1998, he released the LP Runex & Soloist. Since 2017, he has been part of the record label and DJ collective Dusty Donuts Records. In 2025, he released the album Horse Driver Records. Runex is considered one of the most influential figures in Berlin’s hip-hop scene.

Inspired by his brothers Chico and Beat Surfer, Sir-BEEE began engaging with hip-hop culture in West Berlin in 1983. His passion was music: he started beatboxing in 1985, became a scratch DJ in 1986, an English-speaking MC in 1988, a beat producer in 1990, and a German-speaking MC in 1999. In response to rising youth violence after reunification, he and his crew The City Rockers founded the organisation InterNation. Together with activists from various districts, they organised large hip-hop jams against violence. He is one of the few artists from the early days who remains musically active today.

Sonnenkind Design is a Berlin-based one-woman label with a focus on sustainability and distinctive freshness. The designer creates unique upcycled fashion in 1:1 editions – each piece is a one-off.

Kadir “Amigo” Memiş is a versatile artist and choreographer who combines breaking with traditional Turkish dance and calligraffiti. Known for innovative performances such as Zeybreak and rhythmic writing, his art reflects personal memories and social themes. He is active in Berlin’s post-graffiti scene and has participated in major festivals and cultural projects. Memiş uses his platform to promote intercultural dialogue and raise awareness of social issues.

Marc Hype began his career in Berlin in 1988, inspired by Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay. He has navigated the decades of hip-hop through numerous releases, tours and competitions, including the International Turntablist Federation, where he was crowned German champion in 1998 and 1999. Following collaborations with artists such as Masta Ace and Souls Of Mischief, he released his debut album “1973 * Recon” in 2003. In 2004, he began a long-term collaboration with pianist Jim Dunloop, resulting in albums such as Antique Anthem, Bombay Raw and Finale ’74. Today, he tours globally with his collection of 45s as part of the Dusty Donuts Crew/Label and the UK-based 45 Live DJ Team. His international gigs have taken him to the USA, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Lebanon, Tunisia, UAE, Russia, Israel, India and Australia.

KHALiF030 is a rapper and performer from Berlin-Neukölln, raised in the High-Deck housing estate. His lyrics reflect life in a socially disadvantaged area, navigating between reality, resistance and self-assertion. With a direct sound, honest lyrics and influences from classic boom-bap and modern trap, he explores themes of origin, identity and urban life. For him, hip-hop is not just music – it is language, attitude and survival strategy.