Breakin’ Convention 2025 at Sadler’s Wells in Angel has reaffirmed its status as the world’s largest hip-hop dance theatre festival, delivering a dynamic blend of artistry and community spirit over the May bank holiday weekend. Curated and hosted by the brilliant Jonzi D, the festival transformed the venue into a hub of dance, music, and culture, celebrating hip hop’s global reach and evolving narratives.
Saturday’s line-up featured standout performances from artists based in the UK, Netherlands, France, and Belgium, highlighting a rich blend of international talent. Staples of the UK hip hop scene, BirdGang Ltd opened the show with a bang, weaving iconic moments from their 20-year history into a fresh and exhilarating new piece. Using masks, atmospheric lighting, and a shifting soundscape, the large troupe showcased their expressive, athletic movement, drawing cheers from a captivated crowd and setting the tone for an electrifying evening.
Lauren Scott followed with a compelling surrealist piece, exploring the connection between our past and present. Opposite her partner, Matthew Eudu, whose face was obscured by a TV screen, there was an instant connection to the pull of distraction. The thought-provoking piece made an engaging contrast to the next performer, Illi Wild, who delved into identity through krump. His movements were a powerful ode to authenticity, delivering an intense and resonant performance of emotional liberation and shared catharsis.
I wasn’t expecting a spiritual awakening at Breakin’ Convention, but Chandenie Productions proved me wrong. Their standout-out piece, exploring the cycle of transformation, epitomised the power of movement as the dancers melted together and held the audience in a spellbound hush. We were, however, knocked out of our trance by Dutch crew The Ruggeds, who then blew the roof off with their high-energy b-boy breakin’. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the reason for their enduring influence was clear; they brought comedy, energy, and unbelievable stunts, which left us all on a high as the intermission began.
The day’s schedule was well laid out, with the latter half of the performances particularly attuned to an older audience. Both Simeon ‘Kardinal’ Campbell and Saïdo Lehlouh pushed the boundaries of hip-hop with their pioneering works, reaffirming the genre’s place as a vital force in today’s cultural conversation. Campell’s SADBOI offered a poignant exploration of neurodiversity and disability in the modern era, highlighting and celebrating the significance of movement within the D/deaf community with embedded British Sign Language. Lehlouh’s ‘Témoin’ [Witness]’ then paid tribute to individuality within community, with each dancer supported by a backdrop of people who moved and evolved with them.
Beyond the main stage, Breakin’ Convention had a schedule packed with live DJs, graffiti art, dance workshops, and spontaneous cyphers throughout Sadler’s Wells. The festival’s commitment to celebrating hip-hop culture in all its forms was clear, having cultivated a space where artists and audiences were connecting, laughing, dancing, and eating oxtail stew in the community. The vibrant atmosphere was undeniable and may or may not have left me Googling break-dancing lessons on my way out…
In its 2025 edition, Breakin’ Convention showcased technical brilliance and creative diversity while reinforcing hip-hop as a platform for cultural exchange, social commentary, and community empowerment. The festival captured the genuine connection that hip-hop can offer—I’m already looking forward to next year.
Related links
Breakin’ Convention 2025 Fierce Friday reviewx
See Instagram post | See TikTok post
Read Breakin’ Convention 2025 line up announcement
See listing on Afridiziak
Jonzi D Artistic Director interview on Afridiziak
