Honouring the Women Who Shape and Carry HipHop Culture Forward
HipHop is more than music, dance or art. It is a culture built by people who share knowledge, nurture communities, create opportunities and open doors for the next generation. Many of these individuals work beyond the public spotlight, yet their contributions are essential to the culture’s evolution and lasting social impact.
Through the Chain of Glory, the HipHop Ball honours individuals who have dedicated years to developing, strengthening and passing on HipHop culture. The award celebrates their contributions to the community and recognises that cultural influence cannot be measured by commercial success or public recognition alone.
Female Edition: Celebrating the Women Behind the Culture
In 2026, the Chain of Glory turns its spotlight on women who have made a lasting impact on HipHop culture across German-speaking countries.
They are artists, founders, mentors, activists and cultural educators. They create opportunities for young people, nurture talent, challenge established structures and advocate for greater equality within the culture.
Their impact extends far beyond individual achievements. It lives on through the people they empower, the communities they strengthen and the opportunities they create for others.
The Chain of Glory 2026 was curated by Alica Paeske, Managing Director of sPERANTO. As an artist and cultural educator herself, she is committed to empowering young people through HipHop and creating new opportunities for personal and creative development. This year, four remarkable women represent the diversity and depth of that commitment.
Alma Wellner Bou | SISTER*QUEENS
Raised in Spain and Germany, Alma Wellner Bou is a Berlin-based artist, curator and project manager.
In 2016, she founded SISTER*QUEENS, an award-winning feminist HipHop project that empowers girls, genderqueer individuals and women through rap. The initiative deliberately reaches communities where access to cultural opportunities is often limited, from youth centres and social institutions to refugee accommodation.
In 2026, SISTER*QUEENS celebrates its tenth anniversary. At the heart of its work is the principle of “Each One Teach One”: sharing knowledge, passing on experiences and growing creatively together.
Fidan Şirin | HaBer project e.V.
For Fidan Şirin, HipHop has always represented freedom and self-determination. Born into a Kurdish-Turkish family, she moved to Germany as a child and discovered dance in local youth clubs, despite her parents initially discouraging her passion.
That personal experience became the foundation of her commitment to empowering young women. As a dancer, teacher and cultural educator, she creates spaces where movement becomes a source of confidence, self-expression and personal growth.
Through HaBer project e.V., she has organised international exchanges between German and Cuban HipHop dancers for more than a decade. Her work connects cultural exchange with sustainable community building across borders.
Lina Burghausen aka Mona Lina
For almost two decades, Lina Burghausen has helped shape Germany’s underground rap scene behind the scenes. Based in Leipzig, she works as a music journalist, PR manager and curator. Since 2014, her agency MONA LINA has supported artists across rap and pop.
Through her blog project 365 Fe*male MCs and her label 365XX, she champions greater visibility for FLINTA* artists in rap while drawing attention to structural inequalities within the music industry.
Her work has earned recognition including the International Music Journalism Award and the VUT Indie Award. Her contribution highlights the importance of independent platforms, journalism and strong networks in building a more diverse and inclusive music industry.
Nelody Ahlroth
Nelody Ahlroth is a dancer, choreographer, director and artistic director. Having been part of the HipHop dance scene for decades, she combines artistic innovation with a deep commitment to sharing knowledge and experience.
Through her #conFUSIONconcept, she brings together dance, film, theatre and live music. With the STRONGEST CONNECTION community, she has created a space where movement connects people across different backgrounds and experiences.
Her understanding of HipHop goes beyond the familiar values of “Peace, Love, Unity & Having Fun.” For her, the culture also comes with responsibility: preserving knowledge, sharing experiences and encouraging others to become active contributors themselves.
Recognition for What Lasts
The four honourees represent different disciplines, backgrounds and perspectives. What unites them is their long-standing dedication to a culture whose strength lies in community, exchange and mutual support.
Through the Chain of Glory, the HipHop Ball provides a platform for these contributions, bringing recognition to cultural work that often takes place away from the main stage.
Because a culture’s legacy is not only shaped by those in the spotlight, but also by those who make it possible for others to step into it.
Links:
Alma Wellner Bou – SISTER*QUEENS
Fidan Şirin – HaBer project e.V.
Lina Burghausen alias Mona Lina
Nelody Ahlroth
