20 Years of Team Combo – Celebrating Hip Hop Culture in Karlsruhe
Last year, the Combo Hip Hop Kulturzentrum in Karlsruhe celebrated its 20th anniversary with an open jam dedicated to the core elements of Hip Hop culture. Supported with spray paint by MONTANA CANS, the event brought together dancers, writers, DJs, and community members from across the scene. Instead of battles or a formal line-up, the focus was on all elements — the cultural pillars that have shaped the space since its beginnings. The idea was simple: no announcements, no headliners. Just a gathering for those connected to the culture. As it was often said throughout the day: If you know, you know. Dancers kept the cyphers active throughout the event, while DJs provided a steady soundtrack of Hip Hop classics and contemporary selections. At the same time, invited graffiti writers added fresh works during a dedicated painting session, bringing color and style to the venue’s walls. Food, drinks, and open conversations created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Friends reconnected, new connections formed, and different generations of the scene shared the same space — a reflection of what Combo has represented for two decades.
About Team Combo
The Combo Hip Hop Kulturzentrum opened in Karlsruhe in 2005. The project is supported by the city’s mobile youth work program, the association Farbschall e.V., and members of the local Hip Hop community. The goal has always been to provide young people with space for creative expression, encouraging them not only to use the facilities but also to take responsibility for the space and share knowledge with future generations. The name Team Combo reflects this collective spirit. It is not a crew, a brand, or a formal organization, but a shared identity for everyone connected to the space and it
A strong selection of graffiti writers from across Germany joined the painting session, representing a wide range of styles and generations of the scene. Among the participating artists were Abyz, Aleks, Alien, Aurelius, Azure, Baker, Baske, Ceon, Core, Czolk, Darks, Dater, Dias, Diaz, Dizoe, EsOne, Fuse, GiorgioEazy, Hard, Jase, Kerg, Kid Chiko, Mars, Mose, Moter, Vers, Obskur, OleOle, Orca, Panther, Patze, Ramos, Rolex, RockinTillDeath, Rusl, Semo, Shaw-T, Sier, Smok, SuperSoker, Sure, SyneOne (R.I.P), Yore, and Yours.
The jam also welcomed international guests, adding further perspectives to the walls and the overall exchange. Artists traveling from abroad included Turbo (Istanbul), Millie (Seoul), RawRoh (Seoul), Kastet, Ukol, Jerry Metal (Krasnodar), Krane (Sabadell), MovieOne (Barcelona), Yeko (Valencia), Soez (Valencia), and Nizmo (Ireland).
Images by Paul Gärtner