If you don't know, now you know: This week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and media platform ‘ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS’ announced upcoming events that will be taking place in Brooklyn as part of NYC’s celebration of hip-hop music’s 50th anniversary.
On Saturday, Aug. 5, between 3:00pm-9:30pm, the borough will host a free block party at Fulton Street and Washington Avenue. Called the “5X5 Block Party Series,” the old-school-style get-down will feature several live guest music performances from legendary New York rap artists and groups, including KRS-One, Dead Prez, Jungle Brothers and Fu-Shnickens.
Other music performances set to take place include a variety of electrifying DJ sets from a roster of talented selectors such as DJ Enuff, DJ mOma, DJ Mister Cee and more.
In addition to the live music performances, there will also be street art installations, food vendors and numerous interactive experiences for attendees to enjoy.
Along with Brooklyn, the 5X5 Block Party Series will appear in the other four NYC boroughs this month, commemorating the birth of local block parties half a century ago.
“On Aug. 11, 1973, a back-to-school jam hosted by brother and sister Cindy and Clive Campbell, aka DJ Kool Herc, on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx spilled out onto the street. That night, hip hop — and the block party — were born. Fifty years later, both live on,” said Adams. “As the birthplace of hip hop, New York City is proud to host these free block parties and events as a celebration of that spirit that started 50 years ago.”
On the same day as the block party, the Brooklyn Academy of Music will be hosting a live conversation event called “BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Presents Who Rocks Next: The Future of Hip Hop” at 1:00pm.
The event — presented by media company BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and its founder Beverly Bond — will feature a discussion exploring “the role of women in the future of hip hop and the contributions of women in all facets of the culture,” according to a release.
Guests that are scheduled to appear at the conversational event include rapper Rapsody, actress and DJ Dede Lovelace and up-and-coming R&B singer Kenya Vaun.
“We are thrilled to showcase the brilliance, resilience, and cultural contribution that hip hop has made to the world,” said ‘ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS’ in a release. “Through the block parties and edutainment conversations with seminal artists, we are celebrating the core pillars of the culture — DJing, MCing, breaking, and graffiti — embracing the true spirit of this art form, and engaging intergenerational audiences in the greatest city on earth.”
For more information on the dates and locations of the block parties happening throughout NYC, head over to the 5X5 Block Party Series website.
