Hip hop is one of the most well-known parts of American music culture. Originating in New York City in the 1970s, hip hop culture has been spreading around the globe and blending with local traditions and styles while nurturing positive and socially responsible artists, educators, and activists. 

We invite you to find out about the intersection of American and Russian hip hop cultures and their manifestations in big cities and small villages by joining the American Center Moscow’s NORTH STYLE: HIP HOP ED series! 

Going live every Tuesday and Thursday evening on September 20 — October 4, 2022, this online series features Russian musician and DJ Sergey Ivanov in deep and engaging conversations with American and Russian hip hop artists, who compare hip hop in their communities and cultures and discuss the effect of hip hop on youth empowerment and arts education. Tune in live on the American Center in Moscow’s YouTube channel, VK group, and Telegram channel to enjoy the conversations and performances and to ask the artists questions!

The guest speaker on September 20 at 7 p.m. MSK is entertainment executive and life coach Rene John-Sandy II.

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About the guest speaker:

Rene John-Sandy II is an entertainment executive, life coach and nonprofit activist residing in Harlem, New York.  As the CEO of John-Sandy Enterprises, Rene brings over twenty years of experience in talent management, entertainment marketing and brand management across the sports, music, food and beverage industries. Some of Rene’s current clients include Top Chef Master Marcus Samuelsson, Fox Business correspondent, and political strategist Tara Dowdell, DJ Jon Quick, boxer and artist Vanessa Chakour and underground hip-hop artist, Punchline.

In 2009, Rene merged his entertainment experience, love of music and unique power to inspire youth by founding the Hip Hop Loves Foundation, a nonprofit foundation which produces educational seminars grounded in hip-hop culture.  Rene has spearheaded Hip Hop Loves workshops in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ottawa, Canada and Harlem, New York, has lectured on the powers of motivating youth through sports and hip-hop at Brown University and has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine.

Some of Rene’s other professional successes include launching Spitkicker, an urban lifestyle company and Omega Artist Management, a talent management firm.  Through both of these companies, Rene, organized and promoted concert tours and music industry events, produced a weekly urban radio show on XM Satellite Radio and worked directly with talent including Dave Chappelle, Kanye West, Common, De La Soul, and Mos Def.  Rene also is the co-founder of Supernodes, a multicultural wine networking group which regularly organizes social events for diverse professionals in cities across the United States.

Rene received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Syracuse University.

About the moderator:

Sergey Ivanov is a musician, DJ, MC, poet, independent researcher, and director of the DA EXIT NGO development director and head of the DA EXIT hip-hop education studio in Moscow. He has organized more than seven hip-hop exchange projects since 2014.

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ALL AMERICAN CENTER IN MOSCOW EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE / ВСЕ МЕРОПРИЯТИЯ АМЕРИКАНСКОГО ЦЕНТРА В МОСКВЕ БЕСПЛАТНЫ

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This event will be livestreamed on the American Center in Moscow’s YouTube channel, VK group, and Telegram channel.

To receive an email reminder 30 minutes before the online event begins on September 20, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. MSK, register below and leave a valid email address.

To join other AMC Online programs, please check the American Center’s website and TimePad calendars.

Photo by Ben Wiens on Unsplash