Imagine disembarking at São Bento station and being transported straight back to the 1980s – a time when beats, rhymes and graffiti began to occupy the streets and give voice to a generation. This is what the public will experience at the exhibition ‘HIP-HOP 80’sp – São Paulo in the Break Wave’, on display at Sesc 24 de Maio, with free admission.
The exhibition celebrates the emergence of Hip Hop in the capital, bringing together icons of the scene. Among the big names are OSGEMEOS, Rooneyoyo O Guardião, KL Jay, Thaíde, Sharylaine, ALAM Beat and Rose MC.
A visitor to the exhibition was content creator Fernandez pelo Mundo, who shared his experience as part of the project “30 tours of SP in 30 days”, in which he visits the city’s most interesting cultural experiences.
It was one of the most striking exhibitions in my series of tours of São Paulo. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves urban culture and wants to experience up close what has moved, and still moves, entire generations.”
Hip Hop, graffiti and resistance on the city’s streets
As soon as you enter, you realize the deep connection between Hip Hop and graffiti.
There are hundreds of paintings, original sprays from the time, customized clothes and various objects. All this helps to reconstruct the look, attitude and creativity of São Paulo’s black peripheries.
The space also recreates the audiovisual universe of the 1980s – with records, videocassette tapes, televisions, walkmans and games. In this way, visitors are transported to a decade marked by the explosion of music videos and urban dances.
Among the highlights are original sound equipment, breakdance flyers and costumes from the era. In addition, vibrant works by brothers Gustavo and Otávio Pandolfo (OSGEMEOS) reaffirm the movement’s influence on contemporary art.
And, of course, the most popular space for photos: a giant scenographic cassette player, which has already become one of the most instagrammable spots in the exhibition.
From São Bento to the world
The cradle of Hip Hop in São Paulo is recreated in detail in the exhibition. This is because the São Bento Station area, near the Santa Ifigênia Viaduct, was the scene of breakdance and rhyme battles in the 1980s and 1990s. Now it comes to life at Sesc with a scenographic subway car, illuminated by projections that simulate boardings and departures.
It’s well worth including this tour in your itinerary, especially for those who love urban culture and want to experience up close what has moved (and still moves) generations.”
The exhibition ‘HIP-HOP 80’sp – São Paulo in the Break Wave’ runs until March 29, 2026 and is a true celebration of the creative force and cultural resistance that shaped the movement on the city’s streets. So save this tip for your next cultural trip to the city.