'HERSTORY' - Ladies Of Hip Hop Aotearoa 2025 Presented By Rina Chae And En Beat Academy June 7–8, 2025

In 2024, award-winning choreographer and creative director Rina Chae, alongside En Beat Academy, made history — or more aptly, 'HERSTORY' — with the launch of Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa, New Zealand, dedicated to celebrating the mana, talent, and leadership of women and girls in Hip Hop culture. The inaugural event pulsed with electric energy. It was more than an event— it was a movement. Now in its highly anticipated return, Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa 2025 is set to be even bigger, bolder, and more connected than ever. Over two dynamic days, it brings together dancers, DJs, MCs, musicians, visual artists, and wāhine toa from across Aotearoa and the Pacific. To elevate the next generation and continue building a legacy that is uniquely ours.

'HERSTORY' IN MOTION: A Line-Up Worth the Hype - From the moment you walk into the space, you’ll feel it — the energy, the unity, the fierce creative fire of wāhine rising together through Hip Hop. And in 2025, Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa is levelling up again with an all-star lineup of artists, educators, and dance crews ready to make 'HERSTORY'.

Flying in from New York City, international House dance icon Toyin Sogunro brings her signature style and deep cultural roots to the main stage. Known worldwide as a powerful educator and judge, Toyin is set to deliver a masterclass in both movements and mindset — guiding dancers of all levels to feel, not just perform. From Los Angeles, Hip Hop artist Imani J of GOOD TWIN returns with a voice and presence that commands the stage. Her lyrical fire and creative spirit promise to bring West Coast heat straight to Tāmaki Makaurau, reminding us that hip-hop is as much about the message as it is about the music. On the music front, Venice, the rising R&B/Pop sensation from Sony Music Australia, brings a bold new sound to the festival stage. With soul-infused vocals and fearless authenticity, Venice represents the next generation of wāhine artists shaping the music scene in Oceania and beyond.

And it doesn’t stop there. - This year’s exhibition battles are taking it to another level. Crews from Team Fiji, Team NZ, and Team AUS are going head-to-head in high-energy, culture-rich showdowns — celebrating regional excellence, Pacific pride, and sisterhood through movement. Each step, pop, lock, and drop tells a story of resilience, resistance, and rhythm. The 2025 festival is stacked with dance battles across styles like Hip Hop, Waacking, Krump, Popping, Locking, House, Breaking, and Vogue OTA — showcasing the full spectrum of street and club culture. For those ready to learn and grow, the workshops are not to be missed. Led by both international trailblazers and homegrown talent, these sessions offer a rare opportunity to train, connect, and be inspired in an empowering, inclusive environment.

In between the movement and music, the festival holds space for panel kōrero — deep, real conversations with some of Aotearoa’s most respected wāhine in Hip Hop. Expect stories, strategies, and unapologetic truth-telling about leadership, legacy, and the future of the culture. With live performances from artists and crews across the Pacific, Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa 2025 isn’t just an event. It’s a living, breathing movement. It’s about intergenerational empowerment. It’s about passing the mic. It’s about making space and making noise.

At its core, Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa is more than an event — it’s a platform for connection, creativity, and intergenerational empowerment. From tamariki just stepping into dance to seasoned practitioners, this is a celebration of identity, excellence, and the power of wāhine leading the way.

This year’s edition is made possible through the generous support of Auckland Council, Auckland Live Presents, En Beat Academy, and the relentless vision of Rina Chae and her creative team.

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