Word. Sound. Power. returns to Brooklyn Academy of Music this spring with a celebration of women in hip-hop culture, amplifying their voices across generations, boroughs, and artistic traditions.
The latest series brings together a multigenerational lineup of artists whose work reflects the depth and range of hip-hop. Leading the program is Eisa Davis, who serves as special guest co-curator, co-host and performer. She is joined by fellow performers Anessa Folds, Kaya Kulu and Stephanie Pacheco, each bringing a distinct voice shaped by their artistic backgrounds and borough roots.
The program reflects on the enduring influence of women in hip-hop, tracing a lineage from foundational figures such as Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Roxanne Shanté, Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill to a new generation of artists continuing that tradition. Through spoken word, music and live performance, the event underscores the role women have played in shaping hip-hop as both a cultural movement and a form of poetic expression.
"In a world that often forgets, we remember and honor the strength of women’s voices through the power of hip-hop culture," said Mikal Amin Lee, Word. Sound. Power. Programming Manager.
Davis, an award-winning playwright, composer and performer, brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the production. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for her play Bulrusher and a veteran of Broadway and film, she has an extensive history with BAM, having appeared in multiple productions at the venue over the years. Her involvement in this year’s program bridges her work in theater and music with the series’ focus on spoken word and Hip-Hop.
"Come what may, the feminine principle creates the environments for life to flourish," Davis said. "With Word. Sound. Power., we will give you life!”
The featured artists represent a wide spectrum of styles and influences. Folds, a Queens native, moves between theater and music, blending performance traditions with contemporary sound. Kulu, who is Brooklyn-born and Afro-Latina, draws from R&B, neo-soul, jazz and Hip-Hop to create a genre-blending approach that emphasizes both intimacy and range.
Pacheco, hailing from the South Bronx, has built her practice around poetry as a tool for advocacy, focusing on equity and the transformative potential of language. Together, the trio reflects the diversity of voices shaping Hip-Hop today.
The evening is directed and co-hosted by MC Baba Israel, with music provided by DJ Reborn. Their ongoing involvement in the series helps maintain its identity as a platform for both established and emerging artists.
For more than 20 years, Word. Sound. Power. has served as a cornerstone of BAM’s programming, offering a space where poetry, hip-hop and community engagement intersect. Beyond live performances, the initiative extends into education through its in-school residency program, where New York City students collaborate with teaching artists to develop original work. These efforts culminate in the Word. Sound. Power. Anthology, a collection that showcases student writing and reinforces the program’s commitment to nurturing future voices.
Performances begin at 7:30pm on both nights, with tickets starting at $25.
