Fifty years ago, in a modest flat at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, an ordinary party called the Block Party turned into a momentous event. It was 11 August 1973, and a young girl was celebrating her return to school after the summer holiday, with her older brother at the cymbals. That brother was Kool Herc, a name destined to go down in history as the pioneer of the Hip Hop movement. Experimenting with two turntables, Kool Herc gave life to sounds never heard before, without imagining that that night would mark the beginning of a cultural revolution destined to change the world for the next fifty years.
It is thanks to Hip Hop that today we can talk about the concept of a Jam, which was born in the late 1970s. A Jam is a moment of aggregation and sharing in which the artists of the movement show their skills in various fields: from graffiti to DJing, passing through breakdance, rap and beatbox.
Since 2012, Naples has been celebrating the Jam concept with Back to the Style, an event that embodies the soul of urban art. Three days of pure creativity and freedom in which international names from the world of writers, breakers, rappers and DJs come together to express their art. The wall bordering Totò Park and the public park space in the Bagnoli district are transformed into a large ‘white canvas‘ where street artists paint side by side, accompanied by music and battles to win the title of best breakers of the year.
Back to the Style of 2023 was an extraordinary event, an authentic explosion of creativity. The likes of Kems, Grabs, Stain, Love Pusher, ShaOne, DJ UNCINO, Koso and Zeus made their mark with their breathtaking performances. These are just a few of the protagonists who created a unique experience that left an indelible mark on the hearts of all those present.
As every year, we at Urban Jungle are proud to be a partner of this extraordinary event: our aim is to spread Street Culture, creating a meeting point between young emerging talents and established international names. Back to the Style has now become a bridge between creativity and experimentation, but also an incredible opportunity to breathe new life into an urban area that for too long has only been associated with industrial ugliness: Bagnoli.
This year’s event took place from 16 to 18 June and was an overwhelming success. It involved not only fans and loyal followers of Hip Hop culture, but also attracted many curious people and neophytes eager to discover the fascinating world of graffiti, rap, breakdance battles; to dance, drink a beer and enjoy delicious street food.
Back to the Style 2023 has once again written an important piece in the history of graffiti art in Naples, bringing with it a message of freedom and authentic expression that resonates powerfully. This extraordinary event became an opportunity to honour the past and celebrate the present, attracting all those who feel drawn to and involved in the extraordinary energy of Hip Hop. After fifty years, this culture continues to be a beacon of togetherness and belonging, uniting people of all origins and backgrounds.
We at Urban Jungle are happy to be a partner of this incredible event, ever since the first edition back in 2012. BTTS embodies the values of freedom, expression and sharing that are at the heart of Street Culture and the basis of our philosophy. We are here to support young talent, to build bridges between new generations and established artists, to nurture the passion and creativity of those who dream of making a difference in the world of urban art.