Accra is gearing up for a major moment in global music this December as Ghana’s capital hosts the first-ever Talking Drums Festival, a two-day hip-hop celebration expected to attract tens of thousands of fans from across Africa and the diaspora.

The festival, described as Africa’s largest hip-hop event, will take place on 29th and 30th December 2025, bringing together over 40 performers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and several African countries. The 48-hour non-stop experience will celebrate rhythm, culture and unity through live performances, art, dance, and storytelling.

“For over 50 years, hip-hop has influenced not just music fans but many other creative industries. The Talking Drums Festival will celebrate this impact by uniting the infectious cadence of the sound with the energy of the performers and the fandom culture, to showcase its connection to Africa and of course its global dominance,” said Ruddy Kwakye, Executive Producer of the festival.

The event aims to honour hip-hop’s diverse legacy by bringing together styles, voices and expressions that have defined the genre worldwide.

In a strategic move, the Talking Drums Festival has signed a multi-year partnership with Black Star Experience, the Government of Ghana’s national branding initiative. The collaboration extends the legacy of the Beyond the Return campaign, which invites the global Black diaspora to reconnect with Africa through music, culture, art, tourism and heritage.

Rex Owusu Marfo, Presidential Coordinator for the initiative, highlighted Ghana’s growing stature as a hub for global cultural experiences. “Ghana’s esteemed reputation as the Culture Capital of Africa, over the years, has firmly established it as a prominent destination for global experiences, attracting visitors from around the world. The nation’s dynamic and diverse musical heritage, along with its disruptive cultural scene, positions Ghana as the ideal host for this premier celebration of the hip-hop genre, a genre that continues to shape and energize cultures worldwide.”

Talking Drums Festival: Africa’s Biggest Hip-Hop Gathering Set for Accra in December 2025

Accra is gearing up for a major moment in global music this December as Ghana’s capital hosts the first-ever Talking Drums Festival, a two-day hip-hop celebration expected to attract tens of thousands of fans from across Africa and the diaspora.

The festival, described as Africa’s largest hip-hop event, will take place on 29 and 30 December 2025, bringing together over 40 performers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and several African countries. The 48-hour non-stop experience will celebrate rhythm, culture and unity through live performances, art, dance, and storytelling.

“For over 50 years, hip-hop has influenced not just music fans but many other creative industries. The Talking Drums Festival will celebrate this impact by uniting the infectious cadence of the sound with the energy of the performers and the fandom culture, to showcase its connection to Africa and of course its global dominance,” said Ruddy Kwakye, Executive Producer of the festival.

The event aims to honour hip-hop’s diverse legacy by bringing together styles, voices and expressions that have defined the genre worldwide.

In a strategic move, the Talking Drums Festival has signed a multi-year partnership with Black Star Experience, the Government of Ghana’s national branding initiative. The collaboration extends the legacy of the Beyond the Return campaign, which invites the global Black diaspora to reconnect with Africa through music, culture, art, tourism and heritage.

Rex Owusu Marfo, Presidential Coordinator for the initiative, highlighted Ghana’s growing stature as a hub for global cultural experiences. “Ghana’s esteemed reputation as the Culture Capital of Africa, over the years, has firmly established it as a prominent destination for global experiences, attracting visitors from around the world. The nation’s dynamic and diverse musical heritage, along with its disruptive cultural scene, positions Ghana as the ideal host for this premier celebration of the hip-hop genre, a genre that continues to shape and energize cultures worldwide.”

Organisers say the full lineup of artists and event itinerary will be announced in the coming days. Fans can sign up for priority access and exclusive festival benefits at www.talkingdrums.live.

About Talking Drums Festival

The Talking Drums Festival is an international hip-hop event created to highlight the significance, impact and unity of hip-hop culture. It brings together artists, creators and fans from across the world, serving as a bridge between Africa and the global diaspora through music, fashion, dance and storytelling.

About Republic of Amusement

Republic of Amusement is a live entertainment and culture company with operations in the Gulf, USA and Africa. It focuses on creating large-scale cultural experiences across festivals, tours, concerts and raves.

About Black Star Experience

Black Star Experience is the Government of Ghana’s new tourism and cultural diplomacy platform. It represents the next phase of the Beyond the Return initiative, showcasing Ghana as Africa’s cultural capital and home of global Black excellence.

Organisers say the full lineup of artists and event itinerary will be announced in the coming days. Fans can sign up for priority access and exclusive festival benefits at www.talkingdrums.live.