Image: courtesy 4ESydney
4Elements HipHop Festival & Conference (4ESydney)
23 November to 25 November 2023
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts
Warrick Lane Precinct
4ESydney HipHop Festival & Conference is back for 2023.
Returning to Blacktown for its 9th Festival, this year’s theme is ‘Celebrating 50 Years of HipHop.’
2023 marks 50 years since HipHop was founded in the Bronx, NY, USA. This year’s event will pay respect and acknowledge five generations of local artists and industry representatives from across the nation who have paved the way for the thriving culture and community we now see today.
4ESydney will be highlighting their music, their stories, and use of HipHop as a tool for change.
Featuring music, dance, DJs, graffiti, film, fashion, events, talks, workshops and more! Full program soon to be announced.
Creative team
The 4Elements HipHop Project (4ESydney) utilises HipHop and music culture to foster artistic careers and generate community harmony, engagement and skills development.
They empower youth, artists and diverse communities by breaking through stereotypes, building positive identity and self-esteem, creating a platform and audience for real voices to be heard, and stablishing innovative pathways to education, training and employment.
4E is the only project of its kind, specialising in HipHop culture and multi artform, and interdisciplinary practice. It acts as a meeting ground, a space where community, industry, and education meet, to create unique opportunities for the growth and preservation of HipHop culture, professional development and industry sustainability.
The project is made up of a series of industry and community events, mentoring programs and professional development as well as, an annual conference and festival.
For the community, by the community, 4E continues to gradually build a global infrastructure and platform for HipHop in Australia.
For the community, by the community, 4ESydney continues to gradually build a global infrastructure and platform for HipHop in Australia.
Vyva Entertainment is a force within creative communities, amplifying and supporting artists for over 15 years. Founded by producer and artist manager Vyvienne Abla, Vyva has been working within the music and creative industries both locally and internationally. Vyva Entertainment produces events and programs, as well as, consulting, career development and housing its avant-garde artist roster.
Vyva specialises in working with diverse voices and activists to amplify necessary and authentic local and global narratives in a medium and dialogue that’s honest and unapologetic. Vyva Entertainment acts as a meeting ground, a space where education, community and industry meet, creating unique opportunities for industry, creatives and young people to thrive and most importantly, be themselves.
Vyvienne Abla is a director and executive producer in the music and creative industries, with over 2 decades of experience both locally and internationally. In 2007, she founded Vyva Entertainment, an organisation dedicated to empowering youth, artists, and professionals by integrating industry, education, and community through HipHop and music culture. In 2015, she launched the 4Elements HipHop Project (4ESydney), the only festival and conference of its kind in so-called Australia.
Vyvienne’s work has gained international recognition. She has been invited to speak in several countries, including the UK, USA, Europe, and the Middle East, as a result of her initiatives and work in western Sydney and across the nation more broadly.
Vyvienne is also the artist manager for several successful artists, including DOBBY, BARKAA, Áine Tyrrell and Luka Lesson, and is the producer for multiple events and festivals. Her exceptional work has earned her numerous awards and nominations, including being awarded the 2022 Western Sydney University’s Woman of the West Business Award.
Driven by her passion for effecting positive change in the industry, Vyvienne actively participates as a member on various advisory boards and committees.
Image: Vyvienne Abla, courtesy of the artist
Select activities proudly supported by the NSW Government through Culture Up Late Western Sydney.
Blacktown Arts is supported by Create NSW through the NSW Government, Blacktown City Council.
