The Manifesto Festival is back for its 8th year in Toronto. From September 17-21, the city will celebrate hip hop arts and culture over a wide spectrum of artistic styles including musical performances, live painting showcases, DJ battles, dance competitions, and of course educational workshops and panels. If you want to catch a glimpse of both internationally respected stars and a breadth of talent that call Toronto home, your time is now. Here's a day by day round up of Manifesto's 2014 line up stand-outs.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th

Red Bull - Sound Select Presents
Revival (783 College Street) - 9pm - 1am - 19+
$10 cover - FREE W. RSVP
Tonight's gig at Revival will be headlined by TDE's newest recruit Isaiah Rashad (who blessed Toronto earlier this year). The crowd will be warmed up by some local talent including rappers Tasha The Amazon, Dillon Ponders and Canada's leader in grime, Tre Mission. Doors open at 8pm and the evening is totally free if you RSVP - entry isn't guaranteed though. This one will be jammed, so arrive early.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th

Manifesto Art Show
Steam Whistle Roundhouse (255 Bremner Blvd) - 7pm - 2am
$15 advance
Don't forget that Manifesto creates a platform for more than just music. This year's live art event looks better than ever before: the evening will feature work by more than 20 Canadian artists, as well as live painting by L.A.'s tattoo/graffiti legend Mister Cartoon, Columbia's Kno Delix, and hometown street art hero Skam. While they paint, musical selections will come from veteran DJs Wrispect, Mensa, and Ariel.

FRIDAY, SEPTERMBER 19th

Rumble In Regent - Toronto Soundclash
Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas Street East) - 9pm - 2am
$10 advance
Toronto's DJ community is set to battle with twelve DJs grouped into six distinct styles. Sweet Touch Foundation's DJ Riccachet take on party pleaser James Redi in Classic Hip Hop; DJ Grouch fires up against BBQ-guru Skratch Bastid in Old School & 80s; DJ Crsb & DJ Bambii battle through Trap & New Jack Swing; Paul Chin faces a mystery guest spinning Future Beat & Boogie/Disco; dub Connection and Choppa Chop (of Big Toe's HiFi) gets the floor bumping with Reggae & Dub; DJ Spoonz matches DJ Royale in Soul & R&B. Winners are determined by crowd reaction.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th

Live At The Square - Free Concert
Yonge Dundas Square - 12pm - 11pm
All ages & Family Friend
Before the summer leaves us entirely, what better way to spend the day than at Y&DS? Headliners include r&b sensation Ryan Leslie, rapper Bishop Nehru, and new kid on the block Raury, who recently caught Kanye's attention. The daytime stage will be graced by a slew of local acts including Tanika Charles w/ Slakah The Beatchild, Allie, Ain't No Love, Marlon James and Birthday Boy. Look out for dance competitions Canada Pro 1 vs. 1 Bboy Championship and Last Style Standing. Vendors selling goods and grub from local retailers and artists will be on hand.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st

The Summit - Keynote, Workshops & Panels
George Brown Waterfront Campus (51 Dockside Dr) - 12pm - 7pm
$10 advance
What Manifesto would be complete without its educational component? After four days of the arts it's time to learn a thing or two from professionals and creatives alike. During his keynote address, you'll have an opportunity to hear from Ryan Leslie about how he carved his path to success. Mister Cartoon will be in the building as well, delving into his impressive life and artistry. Other panels and workshops will focus on topics like songwriting, tour life, women in the industry, dance, and the business of art.

Photo via John Kivellote and Rose Joy Kivellote.