Unity Through Hip Hop: '24 Hours Of Peace' In Newark Will Return For 2025

NEWARK, NJ — Friendship, unity and world-class hip hop. That’s the formula behind Newark’s highly anticipated “24 Hours of Peace” event, which will return for another year this weekend.

The city’s 2025 celebration will take place from 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 at South 10th Street and Central Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

The annual event uses the power of music to uplift nonviolence and conflict resolution. It includes performances from national and local headliners.

This year’s lineup of scheduled performers includes Kool G Rap, Jacquees, RL, Case, DaBaby Jadakiss, Scarlip, 41, DJ Lil Man, and DJ Taj and Friends. The event will also feature hometown spoken word poets, performing ensembles and DJs as part of its star-studded lineup.

Past events have attracted some of the biggest names in show business, city officials pointed out:

“Last year’s event was designed to uplift and empower women by featuring female performers, and included Mýa, Rah Digga, Lady Luck, Lola Brooke, Leah Jenea, Yo-Yo, Nikki D, Roxanne Shanté, Justina Valentine, The Lady of Rage, Lady London, Sunshine Anderson, Asian Doll, Juciiy 2xs and Monie Love. The 2023 event was headlined by Ghostface Killah, Redman, Milk Dee, AZ and Lil Mo. The 2022 co-host was Newark native and multi-hyphenate entertainment legend Queen Latifah and the musical headliner was Faith Evans, who graduated from University High School.”

The celebration has catapulted some local talent to stardom, including singer/songwriter/actress Leah Jene, K’Lynn Jackman, who went on to star in Broadway’s “The Lion King,” and child motivational speaker King Nahh, whose father, worldwide entertainer consultant Dash Hudson appeared at last year’s event.

Beginning 15 years ago with a small stage towed into an open space – with lights powered by a car battery – 24 Hours of Peace is expected to attract thousands of residents this year. Food and retail vendors will be on site. Several city departments will also be present to distribute information about local resources, services and programs.

The celebration is the finale of Newark’s Peace Week, which includes other events and activities involving “unity and caring for each other.”

“This annual 24-hour event merges Newark’s vibe with the vibrations of hip hop, creating a synergy that yields powerful transformation and celebration,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said, calling one of the city’s yearly “highlights.”

NEWARK’S NEW APPROACH TO FIGHTING CRIME

The violent crime rate ticked up in Newark last year after some recent decreases, but it continues to be a big improvement from past decades, recent statistics show.

• See Related: Violent Crime Rises In Newark – But Is Still Lower Than Past Decades
• See Related: Crime Dropped In New Jersey Last Year, Latest FBI Data Shows

Newark officials have credited part of the turnaround from past decades to a new approach to policing, which views crime and violence as a “public health issue” that needs to be attacked in several ways – not simply making more arrests.

The city recently began diverting some of its policing budget to the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, which runs anti-violence programs and supports local community groups.

A network of more than 40 organizations are now helping to take a new look at crime in Newark – and what causes it.

Nonprofits, groups and community leaders across the city have been tapped in an attempt to address the root causes of violence, reaching out to local youth and holding peace marches across Newark. Meanwhile, city-employed social workers have graduated and taken the field alongside cops, a significant addition in an area where about one in four calls that police get are for “social intervention.”

The city has received praise for its new approach to fighting crime, including from former President Barack Obama.

• Read More: Obama Praises Newark’s Efforts To Stop Violence By Boosting Its Youth

“24 Hours of Peace is not just an event, it is a sacred space where our entire city comes together to pause, to heal, and to stand as one,” Deputy Mayor of Public Safety LaKeesha Eure said.

“In Newark, we know that peace cannot be achieved in isolation; it requires the presence, the voice, and the commitment of all of us: families, youth, elders, leaders and neighbors,” Eure said. “This citywide gathering is a reminder that violence does not define who we are, but our unity, resilience, continued work and investment in community and love for one another do.”

• See Related: Newark Mom Lost 3 Sons To Violence. She's Helping Her City Fight Back
• See Related: ‘The Significance Of The Newark Anti-Violence Coalition’ (Op-Ed)
• See Related: ‘Peace Walk’ Against Gun Violence Unites Thousands In Newark

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.