The year 2023 marks the 50the anniversary of the birth of hip-hop music. Year-round, New York celebrates this style of music in the city with events that appeal to fans and the curious alike. Libraries, tours, shows, museums, hip-hop is in the spotlight!
Surprisingly, the birth of this cultural movement is given an exact date—August 11, 1973. While disco was winning everywhere, a teenage girl, Cindy Campbell, was throwing a party in the South Bronx. His 16 year old younger brother, DJ Kool Herc, is on the decks.
They listen to everything: mostly funk, soul, rock, reggae and Jamaican music. Instead of playing the vinyls as usual, DJ Kool Herc isolates the percussion and plays with the tempos, with an emphasis on rhythmic parts, which he spins and repeats to get people dancing. Back then, he was just inventing breakbeat, the foundation of hip-hop music.
exhibitions and guided tours
For twenty years, a company has been entirely dedicated to visiting the neighborhoods of the Big Apple in hip-hop mode. Hugely popular this year, Hush is offering four different tours that allow you to understand the roots of the movement, discover key locations and admire several pieces of street art. These guided tours can be done on foot or by bus through the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem.
Hush offers guided tours where you can admire several pieces of street art. Photo courtesy of Hush
The most passionate who want to push the clay may regret certain exhibitions that took place in the spring, but will be able to make up for it [R]Evolution of Hip Hop (1986-1990).
The exhibition focuses on the golden age of hip-hop with a focus on music but also on the connection to fashion, pop culture and graphic design trends around the visual.
It is an interactive journey highlighting artifacts and multimedia.
Because rap is a part of hip-hop, we often forget that it’s an acronym for rhythm and poetry. No wonder, then, that public libraries are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the movement. For example, the New York Public Library, the second largest public library in the United States, and Queens offer various activities, conferences and exhibitions related to hip-hop almost every day.
Sightseeing features
▸ Universal Hip Hop Museum
In 2024, a museum dedicated exclusively to hip-hop will open. Illustration courtesy of Universal Hip Hop Museum
A museum dedicated solely to hip-hop will open south of Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx in 2024. It will pay homage to the neighborhood’s rich culture and history as the birthplace of hip-hop.
uhhm.org
▸ [R]Evolution of Hip Hop (1986-1990)
[R]Evolution of Hip Hop (1986-1990), an exhibit at the Bronx Terminal Market. Photo courtesy of New York City Tourism
The exhibition takes place in the Bronx Terminal Market. Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. $20.
bronxterminalmarket.com/hip-hop-museum
▸ Juneteenth celebration of hip hop
This year, in honor of Juneteenth, which marks the emancipation of slaves since June 19, 1865, the show will feature hip-hop stars such as DJ Premier (Gang Starr), Grandmaster Flash and DJ Kid Capri. In Central Park, June 19.
centralpark.com
▸ Hip hop 50 live
On August 11, a gigantic concert will take place at Yankee Stadium. Tickets from $50. The program will be announced shortly.
hiphop50.com
Guided bus and walking tours start at $50. DailyS
For programming activities in the libraries: