About this Event
Explore the enduring influence of Black American music culture in France and Britain on the Jazz Beats to Hip-Hop Cyphers Walking Tour. Join doctoral student Bianca Sams and local historian Ricki Stevenson for a fascinating two-hour journey through Paris’ vibrant Les Halles district and its historic jazz venues.
Trace the journey of jazz from Harlem to Paris and uncover its unexpected connections to the evolution of modern hip-hop culture. Along the way, discover stories of musicians, migrants, artists, and communities who transformed urban spaces through music, creativity, and cultural exchange.
More than a walking tour, this is an invitation to explore how race, migration, music, and identity have shaped—and continue to shape—the cities we inhabit. Across generations and borders, discover how Black American music sparked new cultural expressions and inspired communities worldwide.
Come walk, listen, and experience the beat of history.
This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5-14 November 2026. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org
Event venue & nearby stays
In front of La Place Paris (centre hip hop), La Canopée, Paris, France
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.