In a city steeped in history and cultural revolutions, New York City stands tall this year as it commemorates the 50th year of a genre that redefined music – Hip-Hop. Born from the heartbeats of the Bronx to echoing globally, this genre has been more than just rhythm and rhymes; it’s an emblem of global pop culture.
5×5 Block Party Series
Back in August 1973, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx saw the first sparks of Hip-Hop when DJ Kool Herc helmed the decks. Half a century later, the streets of New York pulsate with that same enthusiasm, setting the stage for grandiose celebrations spread across the boroughs. From its inception in the Bronx to its global takeover, NYC Tourism, the city’s official travel and events beacon, in collaboration with entertainment giant Mass Appeal, is leaving no stone unturned to make this milestone unforgettable. Visit Here for a riveting journey through Hip-Hop’s past, present, and future.
Fred Dixon, the man steering NYC Tourism + Conventions, aptly notes, “New York isn’t just the birthplace of Hip-Hop; it’s the global nucleus. Be it music, fashion, art, or dance, Hip-Hop’s imprint is unmissable.”
DX Mural
To guide enthusiasts through this golden journey, NYC Tourism’s digital hub offers an elaborate, interactive map that directs visitors through iconic hip-hop spots across all five boroughs. This hub is a treasure trove for hip-hop fans, from exclusive interviews with Ralph McDaniels and Rocky Bucano to guides on hip-hop’s evolution and the landmarks that bear its stamp. Rondel Holder, Senior VP of Multicultural Content at NYC Tourism + Conventions, chimes in about the extensive efforts, urging locals and tourists to delve deep into the heart of hip-hop culture this summer.
Mass Appeal’s CEO, Peter Bittenbender, a native New Yorker, couldn’t mask his pride in partnering for the “Hip Hop 50 Live” gala scheduled at Yankee Stadium on Hip-Hop’s official birthdate, August 11. This event promises a spectrum of Hip-Hop, honouring its pioneers and the new wave of artists.
The city is buzzing with anticipation, from the New York Public Library hosting an assortment of free hip-hop-themed festivities, like the insightful retrospective on rap icon Jay-Z, to the magnificent 9-foot tribute to Notorious B.I.G. near the Brooklyn Bridge. A cornucopia of events is on the horizon:
Courtesy, Sweet Brooklyn Bar, NYC
- Photoville’s Hip Hop, 50 in Manhattan, captures Hip-Hop’s golden age through the lens of celebrated photographer Janette Beckman.
- Harlem’s Festival of Culture has an impressive three-day lineup featuring maestros like Doug E. Fresh, Wyclef Jean, and many more.
- Hip Hop Til Infinity in Lower Manhattan, co-produced by Mass Appeal, aims to narrate 50 years of hip-hop.
- Legendary Grandmaster Flash takes the celebrations to the place they began, Crotona Park in the Bronx, with “Birth of a Culture: The 4 Elements Block Party.”
- August also boasts a series of block parties, including the 5×5 Block Party Series sponsored by NYC Mayor Eric Adams and a tribute to hip-hop’s golden age at Lincoln Center’s Hip-Hop Week.
- The BRIC Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Weekend in Brooklyn promises electric performances, and the Dance in Times Square Ailey Extension Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration is set to get New York moving.
The culmination of this celebration sees the New York City Wine & Food Festival honouring Hip-Hop’s culinary influences, featuring Chef JJ Johnson and Rev Run, with an epic cookout.
For those eager to absorb more of this cultural festivity, a plethora of events are lined up across the boroughs.
As New York pays homage to the cultural giant that is Hip-Hop, it beckons enthusiasts globally to partake in the festivities. Fifty years on, Hip-Hop’s cadence is as vibrant as ever, and its legacy is immortalized in the city’s heartbeats.
For an in-depth guide on Hip-Hop’s rich heritage, upcoming events, and more, head to NYCtourism.com/hiphop.
Written by: Matthew Thomas
