In March 2026, the University of Groningen will become a nexus for global hip-hop scholarship and culture as it hosts the 9th Annual European Hip-Hop Studies Network (EHHSN) Conference. Titled “Things Done Changed: Hip Hop Futures for a World on Fire,” the event promises to explore hip-hop not just as a musical genre, but as a vibrant cultural force reflecting and shaping the social, political, and technological currents of our time.
The conference title itself—borrowed from hip-hop vernacular—signals a recognition of transformation. Hip-hop, born in the Bronx as a response to social upheaval, economic marginalization, and systemic inequity, has always been a barometer for change. From the lyrical storytelling of pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Public Enemy to the global proliferation of styles in Europe, Asia, and Africa, hip-hop has consistently served as a lens through which communities negotiate identity, resistance, and aspiration.
Groningen’s conference will coincide with a major hip-hop exhibition at the Groninger Museum, offering attendees a rare opportunity to engage with the visual, performative, and historical dimensions of the culture. Panel discussions, keynote lectures, and individual papers will probe pressing questions: How is hip-hop responding to climate crises, technological disruption, and political unrest? What role does it play in imagining futures for marginalized communities in a world increasingly defined by inequality?
Moreover, the inclusion of live performances at cultural venues emphasizes that hip-hop is not only a subject of academic inquiry—it is a living, breathing art form. It is in the beats, the rhymes, and the improvisational energy of performers that the culture continues to evolve and assert its relevance in a rapidly changing world.
“Things Done Changed” is more than a conference title—it is a reminder that hip-hop, as both a historical archive and a forward-looking force, remains deeply intertwined with the currents of global society. Groningen will provide a platform for scholars, artists, and enthusiasts alike to witness, reflect on, and contribute to the next chapter in hip-hop’s ongoing story.
