Passing the Crown takes center stage once more in this unforgettable live orchestral mixtape and dance experience, featuring Hip-Hop icon MC Lyte—one of Hip-Hop’s most legendary Queens and a multiple Gold Record recording artist—with a special appearance by GRAMMY Award-winning artist Rapsody, and DJ Perly, the first woman to win the DMC USA DJ Championship and the only woman to claim the title twice. Perly kicks off the night with a high-energy opening set, elevating Passing the Crown’s orchestral mixtape with the turntablism, precision, and energy that made her a two-time national champion. Honored as the “Undisputed Queen of the 1’s & 2’s” by Hip-Hop pioneers Grandmaster Caz and Melle Mel, and a proud member of the Heavy Hitters DJ Crew, Perly seamlessly blends Hip-Hop classics with the artistry of our all-female and gender-expansive ensemble. Originally commissioned as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival, this groundbreaking production blends cinematic orchestration, DJing, breaking, and powerful freestyling, all driven by an all-female and gender-expansive collective of award-winning artists. Conceived and executive produced by violinist and composer Juliette Jones, and creatively led by associate producer Monique Brooks Roberts and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Randi “Rascal” Freitas, Passing the Crown reimagines the canon of Hip-Hop through the lens of orchestral grandeur and raw street energy—celebrating the visionary women who laid the foundation and continue to shape the genre. Styled by legendary streetwear designer April Walker of Walker Wear and her The Future Been Female imprint, Passing the Crown is more than a concert—it’s a movement that honors legacy, uplifts community, and ignites the future. Join us for this history-making night of rhythm and royalty. The crown isn’t just passed—it’s celebrated.