Hip-Hop’s Future Takes Center Stage: Pendulum Ink’s Unforgettable Weekend in NYC

The beat of hip-hop reverberated through New York City as Pendulum Ink students, legends, and industry pioneers came together for a groundbreaking weekend from February 28 to March 2, 2025. This was more than an event—it was a movement, a powerful testament to the artistry, culture, and community that define hip-hop.

Special thanks to Eric Summerz for the video production.

The weekend kicked off with an exclusive tour of The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, guided by Co-Founder and Executive Director Rocky Bucano and his son, Kylerr. Though the museum is still under construction (Opening 2026), Rocky and Kylerr painted a vivid picture of its future—a place designed to preserve and inspire both local and global hip-hop culture.

On Saturday, March 1, the festivities moved to The DL in New York City for the Pendulum Ink Student Showcase and Open Mic Cypher. This electrifying event gave students a chance to showcase their lyrical mastery, with standout performances from Cory Gunz and Mickey Factz. Hip-hop icon Pete Rock delivered a special beat set and joined a cypher, while DJ Evil Dee kept the energy high with an instrumental set. Surprise appearances by Grafh and Mecc Rashawn added even more excitement to the night.

The celebration concluded on Sunday, March 2, at The Penthouse in New York City with a heartfelt ceremony honoring Pendulum Ink's 2024 graduating class. Students received well-deserved recognition for their achievements, and the event also highlighted the previous year's scholarship program in partnership with DistroKid.

For the students of Pendulum Ink, this weekend was more than just a gathering—it was a testament to the strength of their community and the power of hip-hop as a unifying force. Many spoke about the inspiration they felt witnessing the museum’s vision, performing on stage, and connecting with industry legends. "Community is everything at Pendulum Ink," said Pendulum Ink Founder, Mickey Factz. "We’re not just teaching emcees how to rap—we’re building a foundation for them to succeed, support each other, and push hip-hop forward."

At its core, Pendulum Ink is committed to nurturing creativity through lyricism. The school enhances emcees' skills and understanding of the hip-hop business through expert-led classes on rap theory, lyrical technique, branding, and mental health. With over 50 rap techniques, legendary guest teachers, and a supportive community, Pendulum Ink encourages artists to break norms and celebrate hip-hop's creative diversity. The success of this event reaffirmed the school’s mission and fueled its commitment to expanding its reach to more aspiring emcees.

Momentum continues to build, and with the growing support from its dedicated team—including the passionate members of Merrick Creative—Pendulum Ink is laying a strong foundation for future growth and promotion. The weekend was a milestone in what promises to be an exciting journey forward, ensuring that the art of lyricism continues to thrive for generations to come.

What's Next for Pendulum Ink?

The momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon. On Friday, March 14, Pendulum Ink released The Dean’s List, an album featuring Mickey Factz and his students, showcasing the raw talent and refined skills developed within the program. Additionally, the school will begin accepting new applications for DistroKid scholarships this coming month, continuing its commitment to supporting the next generation of emcees. And in response to student feedback, Pendulum Ink will also introduce new subscription levels, including an alumni tier, designed to offer ongoing resources, networking, and educational opportunities for graduates.

Special acknowledgments were extended to the Pendulum Ink team, led by Mickey Factz, Dean Chilla Jones, Jeff Walker, Roberto Santos, Merrick Creative's Tom Frank, Jackie Hampton and Jason Smith, and Mighty Network's DJ Iyer, for their dedication and efforts in bringing this event to fruition and continuing to drive Pendulum Ink forward as the premier online Hip Hop school focusing on high level lyricism, music business, and mental health.