The Future Been Female: Women in Hip-Hop
On the heels of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and BRIC are (literally) shining a light on and honoring the women of Hip Hop. Conceived by fashion icon April Walker, this public art installation will project historic images, lyrics and quotes by women artists, leaders and innovators over four Tuesday evenings, paired with interactive programming in Albee Square.
The opening reception for April Walker’s “Future Female” in partnership with The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and BRIC Arts Media. The reception will take place at Albee Square with special guests speaker (TBD), a DJ playing a “Future Female” inspired set by
DJ Kay Kay 47 from The Bronx, and a toast at the first showing of the projected art piece.
April Walker
April Walker is a fashion icon, entrepreneur, educator, and author whose work has been featured in Forbes, In Style, Essence, The New York Times, Drink Champs, Vogue, CFDA. Walker has also been featured in award winning documentaries such as “The Remix Hip Hop X Fashion” and “Fresh Dressed”.
As a Brooklyn native, she followed her creative intuition, pioneering urban fashion, setting the stage for a revolution in fashion industry norms, gender politics and culture shifting. Walker shaped the direction that style would take in the future. As the first woman with an urban fashion brand, Walker Wear helped to create a multi-billion dollar industry known as streetwear today, commanded millions in sales, and kicked in distribution doors for this category. Creating one of the most influential brands in our histories to date, “Walker Wear” is still relevant and sold worldwide, and most recently, has collaborated with the WNBA’s New York Liberty team.
As one of the first to identify and implement the power of product placement, Walker was one of the first to start a styling division working with clients like SHAQ, Wu-Tang, Hype Williams, and many more. Icons such as Tupac, BIG, Jay-Z, and Aaliyah have all donned her brand.
Walker has also served as the Vice-President for Phat Farm, launched a women’s division for And-1, and has consulted for Dreamworks, Champion, Ron Artest, and MLB Licensed products. When Walker is not sitting at the helm of Walker Wear, she is a book author, an educator, TISCH/NYU adjunct professor, contributor to Parson’s “Streetwear Essentials”, producer, and her work has been featured domestically and internationally by Sotheby’s, Photoville, and at the Kunsthal and Centraal Museum.
DJ Kaykay47
DJ Kaykay47 is an international DJ & Community Organizer from The Bronx who boldly creates passion and joy through movement. Growing up, Kaykay saw music, especially Hip Hop, not only as a tool of resistance, but as a form of resilience for marginalized groups of people. In 2018 she made her first international appearance in Barcelona, continuing her musical journey at DJ showcases around the world, including her most recent tour in Colombia, all while facilitating workshops on the foundations of Hip-Hop in her community. In 2022, she founded “Girls DJ Too”, a program which provides access to DJ workshops for girls and women in The Bronx. As of 2023, Kaykay expanded her overseas recognition, becoming the U.S. Cultural Ambassador of Hip Hop to Ireland.
With a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Kaykay integrates personal development with Hip Hop culture, utilizing DJing as an outlet for young people and adults to express themselves freely while creating a sense of community.
Presented in Partnership With
