Our Bureau
New York, NY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and ‘ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS’ have announced the lineups for the free “5X5 Block Party Series” and live conversations between leaders in hip hop. Notable events include a live conversation with special guests at the Apollo Theater, Salt-N-Pepa discussing women in hip hop at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, and special guest performances from KRS-One, Chuck D, Kool G Rap, Onyx, and more.
“On August 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 Mayor 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.”
“We are thrilled to showcase the brilliance, resilience, and cultural contribution that hip hop has made to the world,” said ‘ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS.’ “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.”
Events will feature an exceptional lineup of renowned DJs and seminal artists alongside street art installations, food vendors, interactive experiences, and educational-entertainment talks. Additionally, the city is collaborating with Pixis Drones to create and perform free drone light shows honoring iconic hip-hop imagery. As the birthplace of hip hop, New York City will also celebrate and honor the genre’s musical and cultural transformation over the past 50 years through citywide initiatives, including a collaboration with LISA Project NYC to create 50 murals across all five boroughs to pay homage to hip hop’s rich history and community impact. Finally, the presence of KRS-One, representing hip hop’s longtime leadership, ensures that these block parties will be not only a celebration of the past but also a powerful inspiration for the future of this influential art form.
‘ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS’ is a nascent integrated edutainment media platform and live events company dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the rich history of the Black experience. Through events, storytelling, and education, the company explores the past, present, and future of influential genres of music and culture. ‘ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS’ honors the values of peace, love, unity, and having fun, and pays homage to the artists, movements, and communities that shape the world.
The free conversations will take place at the following locations, dates, and times.
BROOKLYN
“BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Presents Who Rocks Next: The Future of Hip Hop”
Saturday, August 5, 2023
1:00 PM
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and legendary DJ, author, and producer Beverly Bond will present a live conversation at the renowned Brooklyn Academy of Music, featuring rapper Rapsody, actress and DJ Dede Lovelace, and newcomer Kenya Vaun. This timely discussion explores the role of women in the future of hip hop and the contributions of women in all facets of the culture — from the broad spectrum of emcees and performers to the DJs, storytellers, dancers, cultural content creators, and executive shot callers.
QUEENS
“Very Necessary: A Conversation with Women in Hip Hop”
Sunday, August 6, 2023, 1:00 PM
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center
31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
Multimedia personality and Hot 97’s TT Torrez will moderate a live conversation between Grammy Award-winning artists and seminal hip hop mega-group Salt-N-Pepa, celebrated Bronx rapper Remy Ma, and newcomer Flo Milli at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. This cross-generational conversation will explore the global impact of Salt-N-Pepa, how women emcees have laid the foundation for hip-hop to evolve, and the continued efforts to push hip-hop culture forward.
MANHATTAN
“A Live Talk with Special To-Be-Announced Guests”
Saturday, August 12, 2023
1:00 PM
The Apollo Theater
253 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
This event will celebrate 50 years of hip hop at Harlem’s world-famous Apollo Theater with a live talk featuring a special to-be-announced guest. This moderated conversation will explore the incredible cultural and global impact of hip-hop, the continued growth and innovation of the genre, and the many ways the culture has dominated all areas — from sports to business to lifestyle.
In addition to the free conversations, the free block parties will take place at the following locations, dates, and times. For more information, visit and RSVP online.
BROOKLYN
Saturday, August 5, 2023
3:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Fulton Street & Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238
