MEXSIDE HipHop Festival (September in Oakland)

The LatinEx HipHop Festival returns this September to celebrate the spirit of freedom, identity, and cultural resistance through urban art. In honor of Mexico’s Independence Day , we present a special edition that blends tradition with contemporary expression in a vibrant community celebration.

Taking place in Oakland, CA , this event brings together artists, creators, and fans from across the Latin hip hop scene for a day full of culture, creativity, and connection.

📸 Highlights:

Graffiti live painting : Watch local and international artists create powerful murals inspired by independence, identity, and resistance.

Lucha Libre Masks Exhibition : Explore the symbolism behind one of Mexico’s most iconic cultural symbols, reimagined by contemporary artists.

Closing concert at The New Parish : Dance the night away with an electrifying hip hop and rap concert featuring top Latin artists uniting rhythm, poetry, and social change.

This is more than a festival — it's a movement. Join us in Oakland as we honor the past while building a bold, creative future through rhythm, resistance, and unity.

📍 Date: September 12

🕘 Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Location: Outdoor Event in Oakland, CA

🎵 Final Act: Concert at The New Parish – 1743 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94612

🎟️ Admission: Free entry to daytime activities / Tickets required for evening concert at The New Parish

Jimena de Santiago, better known as Ximbo, is a woman who grew up surrounded by music. She sang songs and loved to write. At 16, she started rapping. "I'm really grateful for that because I discovered a wonderful world," she explains.

She emphasized that rap, as a part of hip hop, is actually very diverse, and she has always been interested in addressing social and political issues and problems. That's part of the essence of hip hop, because it addresses life's perspectives.

Skool 77 is a Mexican rapper, storyteller, and cultural creator with over 27 years in the hip hop scene. Known for his conscious lyrics and powerful presence, he uses music as a tool for reflection, education, and transformation. His career bridges generations, combining old-school beats with new-school ideas, always staying true to the underground spirit.

Beyond music, Skool 77 leads educational workshops for independent artists, helps upcoming talent navigate digital platforms, and creates original content blending hip hop, literature, and community. He is also the mind behind Octubre Maldito, a yearly project of horror stories told through rhyme and rhythm, and Fantasmas del Underground, a podcast where fear meets social reality.

Gina Madrid is a Mexican, Oakland-based rapper, community organizer, activist, and core member of the renowned, Audiopharmacy.  

With her distinctive cross-cultural background, multilingual abilities, and politically-charged lyrics, she has become a vibrant force in the Bay Area music scene captivating audiences with her passionate performances.

Gina has had the privilege of sharing the stage with esteemed artists such as KRS-One, Rakim, Ana Tijoux, Ozomatli, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah & Immortal Technique; and music collaborations with DJ Shadow, Gift of Gab & Michael Marshall. Through her powerful lyrics and actions, she strives to ignite positive change and empower those around her.

Doctor Alakran began rapping in the mid-90s, when the genre was still in its infancy in Mexico. After self-releasing some demos for Caballeros del Plan G, he gradually became a fixture in the hip-hop scene in Durango, his home state. He has worked with his music on television series and participated in major concerts in Mexico.