In My Element: Hip Hop Studies

``A South Minneapolis native, Maia has been a leader in the dance community for over 20 years. Representing Hip Hop culture, Maiden’s background includes dancer, choreographer and 12 years as Curator and Director of award-winning Maia Maiden Productions, a Twin Cities based performing arts presenter. Established in 2009, ROOTED: Hip Hop Choreographers’ Evening and Sistah Solo|Being Brothas have laid the framework for the organization's significant contribution to the arts community. Maiden’s curation is focused on uplifting and recognizing artists aligned with the organization’s mission to provide an equitable and engaging platform for Hip Hop, people of color (BIPOC), women and youth through performing arts. She has served on numerous fellowship/grant panels and has been recognized with many honors including Minnesota Sage Dance Award for Outstanding Performance, McKnight International Choreographers Residency Partner, Ordway Sally Award for Initiative, Independent Sector Upswell Fellow, American Express Next Generation Fellow, 20/20 Springboard for the Arts Fellow, Star Tribune Fall Arts Changemakers Honoree for Dance and City Pages' People Issue Honoree: Meet the Unsung Heroes of the Twin Cities.``

``BdotCroc is an artist with a passion for thought-provoking lyrics and energetic beats. This Minneapolis artist is known for her ability to combine modern punch with old school warmth, as well as for her razor-sharp lyrical delivery.

Throughout the span of her career, she has had the opportunity to share the stage with well-respected hip-hop artists such as Raekwon and Dead Prez. She has also had the opportunity to perform at SXSW and appear on Sway In The Morning. Her sound is all about witty lyricism, punchy grooves and cinematic melodies with a massive edge.``

``Joy Spika is a black identifying artist with a mixed cultural background. She incorporates her personal stories into all of her work. She is a mixed media artist with a deep love for aerosol murals, painting, and textile art. She is also a tattoo artist. She believes in the power of art to heal and connect people. From a young age she has used art as a fundamental form of expression and communication. Joy finds Inspiration through her intuitive understanding of the world around her and those things that aren’t always visible. Joy uses her art as a channel to retrieve messages from her ancestors and guides. Art has always been her primary spirituality. Joy is always happy to pass along her knowledge to others and looks forward to see young artists develop their art and create their own communities. ``

McKnight Fellow, Herb Johnson III Aka JDot Tight Eyez graduated from Perpich Center for the Performing Arts in 2010 and studied 3 years at the Lundstrum Center for Arts. Herb was an instructor at the University of Minnesota and Carleton College. He currently choreographs for 612 Crew for Timberwolves & Lynx season and focusing on building community with MNKrump. Professional work includes iLuminate from America’s Got Talent, Choreographing G-Easy'sHalftime show 2018, and SuperBowl 52 half-time Show 2018 with Justin Timberlake.

DJ Kool Akiem is a renowned DJ of 20 years, as well as a music producer and pioneer of the Twin Cities Hip-Hop community. As DJ and producer for the legendary Micranots, as well as DJ for MF DOOM, Kool Akiem has toured nationally and internationally, sharing stages with artists like Atmosphere, Public Enemy, KRS One, De La Soul, The Roots, Hieroglyphics, Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Mos Def, and many more.

On top of producing critically-acclaimed albums released on record labels like Rhymesayers Entertainment, Sub Verse, and his own Mental Madness Wreckords imprint, Kool Akiem has held DJ residencies in NYC and Atlanta (including a 3-year radio show on WRFG), and served as a beta tester for Serato Software which, along with his own inventive modifications of audio equipment, contributed to pushing the boundaries of DJ technology itself. Kool Akiem has also been featured in several books, including Five Percenter Rap by Felicia Miyakawa and Making Beat by Joeseph Schlosh.