Helsinki Day at Maunula House

Event Introduction

Rhymes ricochet around and you can feel the bass as Helsinki Day is celebrated with rap, r’n’b and hip hop culture on the Maunula House Summer Square!

The stage on the square will feature Eevil Stöö & Kriso, the Finnish rap duo who released their Luotathan album at the end of last year, and singer-songwriter Hassan Maikal, known as a touching and courageous storyteller. The evening will be opened by Hugo Toosi, a young Finnish rap artist selected via open call, and in between the shows the audience will be kept on their feet by a DJ set by Renaz, known from YleX, Radio Helsinki and his Random Nights and SWANA Nights club nights. The students of the WEAREKREATIV dance school will show what they can do to DJ music on the square. 

In addition to the music programme, there will be a graffiti workshop run by Sanan Paino, an association dedicated to rooting out hate speech through hip hop. Maunula Library will host a book exhibition featuring hip hop literature and Månsas Deli summer cafe will serve the public throughout the event.

Schedule

17.00 Renaz (DJ)
17.30 Hugo Toosi
18.00 Renaz (DJ)
18.30 Hassan Maikal
19.30 Renaz (DJ)
20.00 Eevil Stöö & Kriso
17.00–18.30 Sanan Paino – graffiti workshop

Hugo Toosi at 17.30

Hugo Toosi is a Helsinki-based rapper also known from the group 6kulma!. Having refined his sound since 2012, the artist combines modern production with traditional rap lyrics. His solo debut ”TOOSI”, set for release in May 2026, encapsulates the artist’s true essence; samples, synths, and plenty of humor!

Hassan Maikal at 18.30

Hassan Maikal, a unique singer-songwriter who combines pop, rap and Afro music sounds in a fascinating way, released his highly anticipated second album Ilmaista terapiaa in autumn 2024. This compelling concept album takes the listener on a journey through the many layers and dimensions of love.

The artist’s debut album Betonitarha, released in 2021, received an outstanding reception in the music industry. Recognised for its bold originality and trust in the power of storytelling, the album earned four Emma Award nominations, including Album of the Year. After releasing his debut album, Hassan has performed at numerous festivals, on TV shows and in galas.

Eevil Stöö & Kriso at 20.00

Eevil Stöö and Kriso, two of the most respected and original names in the Finnish rap scene, released their collaborative album Luotathan in autumn 2025. At Maunula House, the duo will be performing with Pehmee Goo, who produced the album.

Eevil Stöö, who has been on the scene for more than twenty years, is an original gem of the Finnish rap scene, with both chart toppers and a Teosto award under his belt. Eevil Stöö releases new material frequently, but the artist is also known for his own Katakombi record label.

A pioneer of Jyväskylä’s Finnish rap culture, Kriso is the face and driving force behind the KPC collective and is known in the field especially for his independent and holistic approach to his work and as the undisputed king of rap talk.

Renaz (DJ) at 17.00, 18.00 and 19.30

Renaz Ebrahimi is a Finnish-Kurdish DJ, journalist and all-round powerhouse in the field of culture, known in the Helsinki club scene especially for his Random Nights and SWANA Nights club nights. His dynamic and versatile sets combine hip hop, R&B, afrobeats, amapiano, house, pop and SWANA sounds – creating a smooth mix of timeless classics and fresh gems.

Renaz’s work outside the DJ booth is equally impressive: he is an experienced journalist and presenter who has worked for YleX, Radio Helsinki, Yle Kioski and Bassoradio, among others, and has created his own podcasts Kohupodi and Draamanhakuinen. He is also the founder of the Random Life media platform.

He has promoted equality, diversity and safer spaces throughout his career. Renaz has been a key player in Finnish club culture, highlighting the importance of anti-racism, representation and inclusive practices – both on and off-stage.

Hip hop freestyle sessions by 

WEAREKREATIV is a street dance school based in Niittykumpu, Espoo, offering street dance training programmes and dance classes for young people and adults, from beginners to advanced dancers. Their vision is to develop and promote Finnish street dance culture and skills, especially by supporting the skills of the younger generation.

Sanan Paino association’s graffiti workshop at 17.00–18.30

Sanan Paino is an association that focuses on rooting out hate speech through hip hop. For example, the association organises various workshops related to hip hop culture (music making, lyrics, graffiti art), where the common theme is hate speech. The membership consists of long-standing hip hop artists (e.g. Stepa, Yavis, Hende Nieminen, Flam) as well as representatives of the younger generation (e.g. Messymicc).

Entry to the events is free of charge!

Categories

Dance, Theatre and Cinema, Design and Workshops, Literature, Music