Hosted by Chanti
Developed by Chanti, multiple generations start a conversation with each other for the Talking Cypher, inspiring each other. A special element: One seat remains vacant in the circle, and it may be occupied by people from the audience at any time – be there to ask a question or to convey your own perspective. Talking Cypher lives and celebrates the “cypher” as a cultural form of communication and a foundational structure of learning in hip-hop culture. Part of the format is also sharing the topic late, when the conversation has already started. Because you cannot prepare for a cypher.
with: Lizzie, Swift Rock and Volt
DJ: Amrei
Moderation: Chanti Flores-Bahadir
Organisation: Nini
Duration: 90 mins.
Language: German
Chanti
Back in 2023, Chanti organised the first Talking Cypher as part of the Hip Hop Pfingstcamp and Hanover’s Battle of the Year. Her voyage into hip-hop culture began at the end of the 1980s. Initially active as a graffiti artist, she later decided to choose breaking as her preferred hip-hop element – a passion that has been with her since she was 12. She is strongly dedicated to passing on cultural hip-hop history, and this inspired her to create Talking Cypher – a format that unites the different facets of the culture. She gathered first experience in moderation and hosting in the 1990s, with stations as moderator at the Ultimate Bboy Session and hip-hop format Suck Diz on a local TV channel in Hanover. Additionally, she is a member of the well-known Dirty Mamaz Crew who have been active for more than 20 years.
DJ Amrei
Amrei is a DJ and co-founder of Thursdaze (Cologne), a party series concentrating on underground music and club culture. Her sound ranges from house and UK funky to percussive club sounds as well as also encompassing hip-hop, neo soul and jazz. Her sets combine a warm, organic atmosphere with club-ready energy.
Lizzie
Please welcome Lizzie-Lio! As a member of the legendary Dirty Mamaz Crew, this queer artist has been rooted in breaking and hip-hop culture since back in 2001. From stage to the DJ desk, her style is marked by freshness and the celebration of expression and freedom through movement and music. As a driving force in the [Chaos] Culture Club, she builds bridges between subculture and institutions, thereby creating safe spaces throughout North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond. Looking forward to an artist that embodies both individual expression and real hip-hop spirit.
Nini
Nini is a house dancer with a deep connection to music, groove, and cultural expression. Her style is marked by musicality, authenticity, and a fine sensibility for rhythm and energy. She does not view house dance solely as a dance form but rather as lived culture and collective experience. Apart from performances and battles, she has been actively shaping the scene for years. She is a co-organiser for THE JAMMM and has led the tanzhaus nrw House Session for many years, a central meeting point for exchange, training, and community. She receives regular invitations to serve as a jury member on panels. Among her dance accolades are the semifinals at Juste Debout Germany as well as winning Urban Stylez, Global Skillz and other competitions. She was also a dancer at an UEFA event in Berlin during a cultural exchange with the French embassy Additionally, she teaches workshops and classes in which she passes on her experience and perspective on house dance.
Swift Rock
Boris “Swift Rock” Leptin is a German B-Boy from the legendary crew Battle Squad and one of the pioneers of European breaking. Active since 1983, he danced during a time when there were hardly any B-Boys/Girls left and, together with his crew, helped to revive the global breaking scene. With Battle Squad, Swift Rock won the Battle of the Year International in 1991 and 1992 — a historic moment, as in 1992 he and his partner Storm competed as a two-man team and defeated an eight-member All-Star crew in the final.
Volt
Jan-Maurice “Volt” Wolter is a well-known dance artist and cultural creator from Düsseldorf. Volt is a member of one of the best waving crews in the world, Kittridge Waves, and he is also the co-founder of the Tide Together Collective. He supplies the international scene with waving events as well as with dance knowledge in his Tide Together Podcast.
