Although hip-hop was born in the Bronx in 1977, it wasn’t until 1983, with the March Against Racism and the creation of SOS Racisme, that the movement surfaced in France. Rap, graffiti and deejaying gradually became popular, culminating in the show H.I.P.H.O.P. on TF1, a first of its kind. In Lyon, the 1983 incidents at Les Minguettes in Vénissieux provided fertile ground for young people in search of renewal.More than 40 years later, the terms “breakdance”, “beatbox” and “rap” have become part of our everyday language, and the most bankable artists of the moment are in one way or another involved in hip-hop. Lyon is at the forefront of this urban culture, which manifests a desire to express itself through the streets. Let’s take a look at what makes the city one of France’s hip-hop capitals.
With Hypnotize, Lyon hosts one of the biggest hip-hop and rap culture festivals in France.
It goes without saying that the Hypnotize festival is THE not-to-be-missed urban culture event of 2025 in Lyon. For its first edition, the festival is pulling out all the stops, with all the biggest names on the rap and hip-hop scene. BOOBA, VALD, JOK’AIR, DADJU, LETO– these are just some of the names awaiting festival-goers. But beyond the line-up and 5-star scenography, it’s hip-hop and rap DNA that the festival wants to share. Battles, breakdancing and graffiti will punctuate the two days at the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage.
Several dance classes and workshops at the heart of the city’s hip-hop gatherings
Before being a cultural and social movement, hip-hop is first and foremost a dance. In 2025, there’s no shortage of dance classes in Lyon! Following the example of Takamouv, Lyon’s leading dance venue since 1998, a number of other hip-hop venues have made the city and its suburbs a veritable hub for the movement. The association is organizing an open house from June 9 to 20. The practice of hip-hop, whether amateur or professional, has given a whole section of young people a means of emancipating themselves by opening up as a genuine means of expression in its own right.
Battles, the heart of hip-hop culture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNv0YOnWFc&t=26s
In popular culture, hip-hop is all about battles. And here again, Lyon is at the forefront. Several times a month, these events are organized all over the city, with the sole aim of keeping hip-hop culture alive across the generations. Once again, through the Takamouv association, but also in all Lyon’s universities and schools, battles are organized on a regular basis. Upcoming events? A freestyle battle on May 24 (place Sathonnay) and another on June 7 (Centre Brunerie, 16 rue Paul Chenavard). Both events are free!
And what could be better than to have one of the best crews in France among its ranks? The DA SQUAD association has just confirmed its status as French champion in the Megacrew category at the Futuroscope on April 26.
Lyon, France’s street art city
We couldn’t end this article without mentioning Lyon. Lyon’s 200 frescoes and painted walls obviously echo urban culture, and by extension hip-hop, from which everything seems to spring. The message of the hip-hop movement is to use the street as a place of expression, to dance, sing and paint.