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Connecting and progressing with hip-hop culture

The Hold Up is a non-profit arts organisation. We promote Hip-Hop Culture and support the artists who make it. We’re dedicated to supporting and developing creative expression using the framework of Hip-Hop Culture.

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Workshops

A taste of Hip-Hop Culture Wales’ finest artists. Perfect for any community, school or private organisation that wants to provide creative opportunities to the people they serve

Projects

Participant-led projects facilitated by our team of experienced Creative Practitioners for schools, PRU’s or other organisations looking to collaborate on a multi-week endeavour

Classes

Held regularly in your community. Led by a member of the THU crew with years of experience in the artform

tailor-made, hip-hop based cultural education

The DJ was the original star of any Hip-Hop event. Without them, the rappers couldn’t rap and the dancers couldn’t dance.

Take-up beat juggling, scratching, and mixing as a creative endeavour.

Learn from seasoned professionals, unlock your potential, and use the decks like the instrument they were meant to be.

Don’t just feel the vibe; learn to create one with our Turntablism workshops.

Discover the power of your own voice with our beatbox workshops. You’ll learn how to transform your vocal cords into a versatile instrument, creating beats, rhythms, and melodies that will astound everyone. Unleash your inner sample machine with our beatboxing workshops.

Dive into the kinetic world of breakdancing with our immersive workshops.

You’ll learn the moves that define this raw, powerful artform, guided by seasoned pros who live and breathe the culture.

These sessions are all about real skills, real style, and real self-expression. No fluff, just the pure essence of breakdancing.

Our experienced artists guide you through the entire process, teaching you essential skills like spray-painting techniques, colour theory, and design concepts. We can tailor the workshops to suit your needs and requirements. Whether you’re looking to create a large-scale mural or smaller pieces to take home, our team will work with you to bring your vision to life.

Dive into the world of music production with our hands-on workshops. You’ll learn the ins and outs of an accessible DAW that you can continue experimenting with once the workshop has finished. You’ll taste the art of crafting beats, mixing tracks, and shaping sounds with our experienced producers. This is less about theory and more about getting your hands dirty in the real world of music production to make music you can’t help but nod your head to.

Explore the creative process of writing and performing lyrics with our experienced lyricists. Our workshops offer a supportive environment to nurture your skills and broaden your boundaries.

Our philosophy

Healthy, creative expression is a fundamental part of our journey. In Hip-Hop Culture, we have the perfect medium to pursue this necessity.

Hip-Hop culture serves as both our medium of expression and a vehicle for a larger belief: that pursuing a creative outlet is as fundamental to our well-being as regular exercise and a balanced diet. Humans are curious creatures who like to solve complex problems by creative means and Hip-Hop culture is a multi-disciplinary way of addressing that need.

We believe in the power of the fifth element, “Knowledge of Self”, and how it can transform our lives and communities. We are passionate about providing access to opportunities and nurturing the creativity of others. We are determined to build safe environments in Welsh communities where free, healthy expression is encouraged and supported.

We’ve witnessed the positive impact Hip-Hop culture can have on people, often providing an alternative path away from negative influences. Empowering people’s belief in their ability to succeed in the things they pursue (self-efficacy).

We strive to demystify the creative process, enabling people to hone their craft while also highlighting training and employment opportunities within the creative industries. We recognise the challenges faced by artists, especially in Wales, where access, infrastructure, and support are limited. We aim to help artists focus on their craft, enabling them to produce their best work and elevate Welsh talent to a global stage.

Community

Hip-Hop culture has made each member of our team who they are today. Using the ideas that underpin it, we provide opportunities for people to create, collaborate and put energy into something positive for us all.

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Articles & How-To’s

Artist Support

As active artists, we know the kind of obstacles people face in developing their chosen art form, from a hobby into a career. The Hold Up aims to fill the gaps through ongoing support, highlighting potential opportunities, mentoring, training, and advice.

All Articles

  • Lyric writing – Part 2: Next Steps

    Once you get to the point of having a bunch of lyrics written and embedded as it were, it can be hard to move on. Maybe you’ve performed a few […]

    Read More: Lyric writing – Part 2: Next Steps

I never asked to be born, and death’s no question

The sun’s still shining off the same old lessons

Then why does life feel like an educated guess, and My thoughts like meals, I’m a sucker for the seconds

Oddisee

You’re at war
Doing battle with yourself
And everything you dabble in is damaging your health

Turna Phrase

I’d rather be proud of what I am, rather than desperately try to be something I’m really not; just to fit in

Immortal Technique

Yeah behold, as my odes, manifold on your rhymes
Two MCs can’t occupy the same space at the same time
It’s against the laws of physics
So weep as your sweet dreams break up like Eurythmics

Lauryn Hill

All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day, put the pieces back together my way

Aesop Rock

I got a

Hunger for knowledge and I miss no meals

I stay High off life and I miss no pills

Oddisee

So when I rock

What’s not to like?

I use your rhymes as an example of what not to write…

Copywrite

“…trying to figure out reality

What it really means

Like when we swearing on our life When only death is guaranteed…

Truth

Softly, as if I played piano in the dark,
Found a way to channel my anger now to embark,
The world’s a stage and everybody gots to play their part

OutKast

Keep that style you got soulful
The best of the best gon’ fear you
Sky’s the limit see, I told you
You gon’ be the difference between McDonald’s, Burger King and Whole Foods

Rapsody

Irrespective of perspective, I’m ready to roll
Down to fight the good fight, a citizen of the soul…

Ty

She’s the one I always count on, one that wouldn’t leave me
One that’s in the city always written in graffiti

Zion I
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Partnerships

Bowie M.

…these guys know what they’re doing. If you love hip hop, you need to be at their shows. Top curators of top talent.

Sept 2018

Hannah T.

Had some sick times playing for the Hold up and also going to there nites. Top lads bringing quality music/events to our ears.

JULY 2018

Jack L.

Absolutely a pleasure to work with and the shows are always packed with great performances and a great turnout for the crowd too.

Sept 2018

Adam M.

Talented, friendly and passionate, The Hold Up guys know how to put on a fantastic event. An asset to Cardiff’s music scene and one I’m constantly impressed by and proud of.

Sept 2018

Gem S.

A great experience every time you visit a Hold Up show. Lovely bunch of people who bring a platform to artists all around Wales. Big up!!

Sept 2018

Phil J.

Consistently delivering top class events and acts, serious support for local artists as well as great bookings from further afield. Love it!

aug 2018

Daniel S.

Nice people putting some good stuff on for the benefit of the local community. What’s not to like

sept 2018

Jak S.

The Hold up are a sick collection of like-minded heads! They ain’t just a group of people; they’re family! keeping it real as per 👊🔥

Sept 2018

Dom W.

Positive people putting on for the Welsh scene! Responsible for many of the best Hip-Hop events I’ve been to in Wales

Sept 2018

Lee W.

A wicked collective of fine, humble, super talented people with the right ethos. They light up the place every time they’re in the house. Properly inspiring stuff, pleasure to work with them, Grassroots loves ya

feb 2017

India T.

Nothing comes close. These dudes have it on lockdown and deserve every single bit of praise they get.

feb 2017

Amelia T.

The Hold Up – Keeping it real, all day every day…

Feb 2017

Eric M.

It’s refreshing to hear a show hosted by genuine members of the Hip-Hop scene. The undeniable passion and knowledge base stands out for me. It just …is

Feb 2017

John B.

I’m from a time in Cardiff Hip Hop, that’s long gone! But it’s so refreshing and revitalising to see the flame still burning in the manifestation of ‘The Hold Up’. Thank you, for keeping our Welsh Hip Hop torch burning!

Feb 2017