22nd Annual, 2026

The 206 Zulu 22nd Anniversary was held at Washington Hall on Friday, February 20, 2026. The evening featured the exclusive release of the Two-Oh-Sicks: Town’d Out Northwest Hip Hop Compilation, with performances from 2xStormz Vicious & Julie-C, 3N’1 Rekcordz, Abyssinian Creole, AudioPoet, Beatbox Panda, Bishop I, IaMcHaMeL, Jerome Mitchell, KeyNote Speaker, Mid Century Modern, Seattle’s Key, Silver Shadow D, Spyc-E, T.H.C., and DJ Topspin aka Blendiana Jones.

21st Annual, 2025

In celebration of the hip hop history of the Pacific Northwest, 206 Zulu presents “OurStory: Legacy of Northwest Hip Hop,” a night of music, entertainment, and ceremony honoring pioneers who paved the way for Seattle hip hop, with special guests including D-Sane, Gabriel Teodros, Silver Shadow D, and Supreme La Rock, among others. The night also launched the OurStory Northwest Hip Hop Trading Cards, a 52-card set honoring figures, groups, and events in its history.

20th Annual, 2024

206 Zulu’s milestone 20th anniversary brought Hip Hop artists, dancers, and DJs from across the country to Seattle, February 15-19. Highlights included the Havana Social Club kickoff and an all-star Zulu Jam with Coast Contra, Medusa, Grand Wizzard Theodore, DJ Jazzy Jay, and others at Madame Lou’s, plus Zulu Throwdown 2-vs-2 at Washington Hall, where thirty crews battled for $5,000, and Rock Force Crew won. A mural and Meeting of the Minds panels closed the weekend.

19th Annual, 2023

206 Zulu’s 19th Anniversary marked a shift from traditional programming. Still stabilizing from COVID-era capacity limits, 206 Zulu partnered with Dope Culture Events for The Comedy Shop, a night of stand-up at Washington Hall on February 18, 2023. Doors opened at 6pm for a 7pm show featuring comedians Speedy, Topflight, Jonte, and Sweeng One. The event offered a lighter, laughter-filled way to keep the Hip Hop community connected during a challenging year.

18th Annual, 2022

206 Zulu’s 18th Anniversary was one for the memory books, celebrating with dozens of artists, DJs, dancers, and community partners including KEXP and The Vera Project. Themed Return to Center, the celebration marked a return to Seattle Center, where the first few 206 Zulu Anniversaries began, with support from the Office of Arts & Culture Seattle, Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, and arts organizations. Anthony Martinez and DJ Lady Love were welcomed as official members.

17th Annual, 2021

206 Zulu’s 17th Anniversary went virtual, streaming on YouTube and Facebook February 12-13, 2021. Friday’s kickoff, Pangea: Hip Hop Heals, celebrated an album release and artist discussion with international guests Dumi Right, Eli Almic, Emile YX?, Maze 022, Tati Chaves, and ZDC. Saturday’s 17th Anniversary Special, themed Uplift, Preserve, Celebrate, featured reflections from Big Zo, Georgio Brown, Malika Patti, Mz Music Girl, Orbitron, Queen Kitty Wu, Shooter in the Town, Supreme La Rock, and more.

16th Annual, 2020

206 Zulu’s 16th Anniversary, Mighty 4 Seattle, took over Washington Hall February 14-16, 2020, held in honor of Soul One and P.H.A.S.E.2. Saturday’s main event featured a 2-vs-2 breaking crew battle and a 1-vs-1 all-styles battle, with DJs Supreme La Rock and Neebor and performances by Kept See and Emile YX?. The weekend also included dance workshops and a Meeting of the Minds panel, supported by 4Culture, Red Bull, and community partners.

15th Annual, 2019

Themed The Homecoming, 206 Zulu’s 15th Anniversary filled a three-day weekend across The Crocodile, Washington Hall, and Sugar Hill. Friday’s kickoff featured Souls of Mischief and more. Saturday brought Meeting of the Minds panels with DJ QBert, Egyptian Lover, and Supreme La Rock, plus the Street Stylez Bonnie & Clyde Battle for $2,000 in prizes. Sunday closed with community-focused panels, dance workshops, a free community dinner, and an afterparty at Sugar Hill.

14th Annual, 2018

206 Zulu’s 14th Anniversary brought dance battles to Washington Hall, featuring 1-vs-1 Bboy/Bgirl and All Styles competitions plus the premiere of the Northwest Sweet 16, XI, 2018 Qualifier, an 8-invite bracket sending two winners toward the NW Sweet 16 Championships. Judges included Asia One, Juse, Orb, Nikiya, Sheena, and Chris Kaku, with DJs Drop Bangers, Supreme, and 206 Zulu, hosted by Joe Ricci and Protoman, plus special performances from The High Children and NW Portablists.

13th Annual, 2017

206 Zulu’s 13th Anniversary took over Washington Hall February 18 with a 2-vs-2 All-Styles Battle for $500 in prizes, judged by Robin Rojas, Tracey Wong, and Chris Kaku, with music by DJ Sho Nuph. The evening’s main event followed with performances from DJ Jazzy Jay, DJ Zeta Barber, Afu-Ra, King Khazm, The Ancient Robotz, and Kutt’N’Up, an all-ages celebration in Seattle’s Central District.

12th Annual, 2016

206 Zulu’s 12th Anniversary celebrated at Massive Monkees Studio: The Beacon on February 20, 2016, a free, all-ages community gathering from 4 to 10pm. The evening featured performances from Jay Harris, Musik G, One Above None Below, One2, Solar Sam, Ryan and Ish, Saga Breeze, and Zulu Nation DJs, along with B-Boy and B-Girl cyphers, All-Styles cyphers, MC cyphers, and food.

11th Annual, 2015

206 Zulu’s 11th Anniversary ran February 6-8, 2015, opening with a Zulu Jam Kick Off featuring 9th Wonder at The Crocodile. Saturday brought a free Meeting of the Minds at Washington Hall, with workshops in DJing, breaking, emceeing, graffiti, and community knowledge, followed by the Zulu Throwdown Championships, 1-on-1 Bboy/Bgirl and Open Styles battles for $500 each. The weekend closed with a sold-out Community Green Dinner at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.

10th Annual, 2014

206 Zulu’s 10th Anniversary spanned February 14-16, 2014. Friday brought pioneers DJ Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Qbert for the 206 Zulu “X” Album Release Party. Saturday featured performances from Ras Kass, Copywrite Mirabella, and Methuzulah Gem, plus the Zulu Throwdown Championship, a 3-on-3 Bboy/Bgirl battle for $1,000 judged by Ken Swift, Trac2, Asia One, and Complex, along with a workshop and breakin panel. Sunday closed with Meeting of the Minds and a community potluck.

9th Annual, 2013

206 Zulu’s 9th Anniversary, themed the Hip Hop Summit, ran February 15-17, 2013 at Washington Hall, honoring guests 9th Wonder and A.C. The Program Director. Friday’s CD release party featured Suntonio Bandanaz alongside both honorees. Saturday brought the Zulu Throwdown, a 3-on-3 Bboy/Bgirl battle for $900, plus the first-ever NW Hip Hop Museum exhibit. The weekend closed Sunday with Meeting of the Minds and a community potluck.

8th Annual, 2012

206 Zulu’s 8th Anniversary, a National Hip Hop Summit, ran February 17-19, 2012 at Washington Hall, honoring guest DJ Afrika Bambaataa, founder of the Universal Zulu Nation. Friday’s Infinity Night opened with DJs, cyphers, and a graffiti expo. Saturday’s Zulu Jam featured Bambaataa alongside King Kamonzi and more. Sunday closed with Meeting of the Minds and the Zulu Throwdown, a 4-vs-4 crew battle for $1,000 in cash and prizes.

7th Annual, 2011

206 Zulu’s 7th Anniversary ran February 18-20, 2011 across three Seattle venues. Friday opened with the Seattle Youth Arts & Resources Fair at The Vera Project, followed by Zulu Jam at Washington Hall featuring legendary emcee Percee P. Saturday brought the Octogon World Rumble, 1-on-1 battles at Cirque Events Center with Alien Ness, Trac2, and Fever One. The weekend closed Sunday with a Skratch Lounge youth workshop and Q&A scratch session at Rock Paper Scissors.

6th Annual, 2010

206 Zulu’s 6th Anniversary ran February 12-14, 2010 in Seattle. Friday brought the 206 Universal Hip Hop Youth Summit at Seattle Center, followed by an official kickoff at Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine. Saturday featured Zulu Jam at The Vera Project and a live Zulu Radio broadcast on KBCS. Sunday closed with Mighty 4, an international B-Boy/Girl competition at Cirque Events Center, featuring a 2-on-2 battle for $2,000 and a Popping Battle for $500.

5th Annual, 2009

206 Zulu’s 5th Anniversary, themed 5 Years, 5 Elements, spanned February 13-16, 2009 across four Seattle venues. Friday’s kickoff at Hidmo featured DJs and performances by Yirim Seck and Piece. Saturday brought youth workshops, a Graff Expo, and the debut Real to Reel Hip Hop Film Festival at The Vera Project. Sunday’s Mighty 4 international break battle at EMP Skychurch drew over 1,000 people competing for $4,000 in prizes across three battles.

4th Annual, 2008

206 Zulu’s 4th Anniversary ran February 15-17, 2008, opening with a kickoff party at Waid’s featuring DJ Backside. The main event took place during Festival Sundiata at the Seattle Center Pavilion Room, offering free, all-ages performances, breakdance and graffiti showcases, and youth workshops each afternoon. The weekend also included a Youth Summit, a live Zulu Radio broadcast on KBCS, and a closing party at Havanas, with a lineup spanning dozens of Northwest artists and DJs.

3rd Annual, 2007

206 Zulu’s 3rd Anniversary spanned February 15-18, 2007, four days celebrating Hip Hop and Black History Month. The main events, held in conjunction with Festival Sundiata at the Seattle Center, were free and all-ages, featuring break battles, art and graffiti showcase, and workshops alongside performances from Choklate, Godspeed, Silver Shadow D, Gabriel Teodros, and dozens more. The weekend also included a pre-kickoff at LoFi, a kickoff party at Hidmo, and SoulHop’s closing party at Neumos.

2nd Annual, 2006

206 Zulu’s 2nd Anniversary ran February 17-19, 2006, opening Friday with a kickoff party at Zaina Hookah Club. Saturday and Sunday centered on Festival Sundiata at the Seattle Center Pavilion Room, free and all-ages, with a break battle and a Meeting of the Minds community forum. Nightly afterparties followed at Wild Palms and Lobo Saloon, with broadcasts on Zulu Radio KBCS and Streetsounds KEXP, drawing guest artists from Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

1st Annual, 2005

206 Zulu’s inaugural 1st Anniversary, celebrating the founding of the Universal Zulu Nation Seattle Chapter, took place February 17-20, 2005, and also served as a benefit for tsunami and earthquake relief. The four-day celebration opened with Hip Hop 101 TV and Blackberry Juice at Lo-Fi, then moved into Festival Sundiata at the Seattle Center Pavilion Room for a weekend of performances, DJs, and a break battle, with nightly afterparties at The Vera Project and Chop Suey.