Uncover the history and roots of contemporary hip hop with this unique concert series. Starring some of Sacramento’s most exciting contemporary musical voices, this epic journey of four different performances traces music’s evolution from jazz, to soul and funk, to hip hop and rap, exploring how music has been used to give voice to suppressed stories. Each concert captures a distinct moment in music’s history; experience the full story with a series ticket!

The culmination of this musical journey features local hip hop and rap groups Jakhari Smith and TIP Vicious. Experience a captivating blend of raw emotions and thought-provoking storytelling through powerful, high-energy lyricism at this epic series finale.

Arrive early or venture out at intermission for artmaking with Poppy + Pot. Craft colorful flowers to add to a community-built art installation inspired by David Driskell's Woman with Flowers, on view in Black Artists in America: From Civil Rights to the Bicentennial.

Jakhari Smith is a talented and versatile rapper hailing from Sacramento, CA. Jakhari started his musical journey in July Of 2021 after losing his grandfather in April of 2020. He began journaling daily, turning that into a passion for poetry and song structure. Jakhari has been honing his craft and captivating audiences with his unique delivery and powerful lyrics. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and social issues, Jakhari's music is a captivating blend of raw emotions and thought-provoking storytelling. His ability to connect with listeners through his authentic and relatable content sets him apart in the competitive world of hip-hop. Jakhari believes in using his platform to make a positive impact and inspire change within self.

Following up the success of his 2024 Tiny Desk Submission, TIP Vicious cuts through the white-noise of NorCal hip-hop with his newest studio single, "See Me Now," reinventing himself and his sound with this genre-bending performance. "See Me Now" takes a voracious approach to storytelling while subverting the structural trope of the “modern pop-single,” similar to songwriting by contemporary acts such as Chance The Rapper or Kid Cudi. Accompanying the record are some of Sacramento's most talented musicians, as well as producer and composer, BaBa GaZoo, and mixing engineer and guitarist, Angel Ruiz. "See Me Now" is available on all major streaming services, but you can see him live headlining The Crocker's finale of The Message series on April 25th, where he plans to bring a fusion of Black music genres to mix in his most prestigious performance to date. Expect a full band, storytelling, and a bit of forgotten history from the 916's very own, TIP Vicious.