PHOTOS: 'Hip-Hop Mayor' Eric Adams Celebrates 50 Years of the Genre at Gracie Mansion

In August 1973, in a recreation room in the Bronx, Cindy Campbell hosted a back-to-school party featuring her brother DJ Kool Herc.

Isolating the drum break from each record and playing them back-to-back, Herc laid the foundation of what would become hip-hop — a genre that would forever change New York City culture and pave the way for Brooklyn legends like Jay-Z, MC Lyte and the Notorious B.I.G, to name just a few.. 

Exactly 50 years later, on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, several hip-hop trailblazers gathered at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan to celebrate the genre’s anniversary with a vegan breakfast reception organized by Leroy McCarthy and hosted by NYC Mayor Eric Adams.  

Attendees included hip hop's founder, Kool Herc, the RZA, DJ Red Alert, DJ Ralph McDaniels, and Melle Mel (of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five) among other hip-hop legends and enthusiasts.

In addition to remarks from artists and the mayor, the ceremony featured State Assembly Member Chantel Jackson, former Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., State Assembly Member Edward Gibbs, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.

“I am able to receive you with the level of royalty you deserve as a hip-hop mayor,” Adams said in a speech to the breakfast attendees. “I know it got to bring chills to some of you, man. In the city where hip-hop was born, we are going to give this proclamation and name today the Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Day.”