Hip Hop Tells the Story of New York City.

Founded in the Boogie Down Bronx, hip hop helped New Yorkers turn their pain into purpose, give a voice to the voiceless, and call for change in the streets.

New York City is celebrating 50 years of hip hop by looking back on its rich history and towards its bright future. Throughout 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and his administration will tell the story of hip hop through community events, concerts, local activations, and more.*

Mayor Eric Adams hosts a reception to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop at Gracie Mansion.
Mayor Adams and First Deputy Mayor Wright make an announcement at Times Square New Years Eve.
Mayor Adams and rapper Eric B embrace at City Hall.
Group of rappers make an announcement at City Hall Rotunda.
Group of rappers make an announcement at City Hall Rotunda.
Group of rappers and Mayor Adams make an announcement at City Hall Rotunda.
Rapper and Actor Ice T presents Mayor Adams with an award.
Mayor Adams accepts an award from prominent rappers.
Mayor Adams poses with rapper N.O.R.E.
Mayor Adams dresses for a hip hop fashion show.
Mayor Adams views a wall gallery of hip hop influenced art.
Mayor Adams views his reflection in a Biggie Smalls mosaic.
NYC Hip Hop 50 Event Calendar
Event Date Location Description
May NYC Rides Bike Tour 5/7/23 Citywide TD Bike Tour Team Bike Ride as part of TD Bank Bike Tour
June 300Unplugged x NYMM 6/1/2023 Watch HERE 300 Studios celebrates Hip Hop 50 with special episodes of their digital series, 300 Unplugged (300U), featuring virtual performances by rising NYC-based artists and hosted by 300 Elektra Entertainment Chairman & CEO Kevin Liles
From Sedgwick Avenue to Madison Avenue: Hip Hop's Impact on Advertising 6/8/2023 220 W 18th St New York NY 10011. Artists, creative directors, and agency executives share the stories and strategies behind hip hop's greatest commercials and brand partnerships
Who Shot Ya? 6/16/2023 RSVP HERE A virtual conversation, Q&A, and performance showcase with hip hop artists who were shot and left paralyzed/disabled due to gun violence. The artists will highlight how hip hop music helped them overcome their setbacks and tough times
Step it Up: NYC 6/17/2023 Apollo Theater 253 West 125 Street NY NY 10027 Through art and dance, young people will compete to raise awareness and express their opinion on various social issues with the backdrop of acknowledge of 50 years of hip hop.
Funk Flex and Friends 6/19/2023 Roy Wilkins Park / Merrick Blvd between 118 Rd and 119th Ave Celebrate Juneteenth with legendary DJ Funkmaster Flex and surprise guests
Park Jams: A Juneteenth Celebration of Hip-Hop 6/19/2023 Rumsey Playfield, Central Park SummerStage honors Juneteenth and celebrates the biggest names in hip hop
NYCHA Family Day 6/24/2023 Queensbridge Houses, 10-26 41st Ave, Queens, NY 11101 Borough based Hip Hop 50 themed NYCHA Family Days
Film at Lincoln Center: Juice 6/29/2023 Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center As part Film at Lincoln Center's free outdoor movie screenings
Film at Lincoln Center: Friday 6/30/2023 Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center As part Film at Lincoln Center's free outdoor movie screenings
July Film at Lincoln Center: Wild Style 7/12/2023 Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center As part Film at Lincoln Center's free outdoor movie screenings
Bronx Summer Cleanup Series 7/21/2023 St. James Park, Kingsbridge Heights 10468 Part of the Sanitation Foundation's Bronx Summer Cleanup Series. Muralist Marthalicia will give a live painting demonstration
Bronx Summer Cleanup Series 7/22/2023 Sedgwick Playground, Highbridge, 10453 Part of the Sanitation Foundation's Bronx Summer Cleanup Series. Intikana, an emcee and storyteller, will give a hip hop history walking tour
NYCHA Family Day 7/22/2023 Sedgwick Houses, 162 W 174th St, Bronx, NY 10453 Borough based Hip Hop 50 themed NYCHA Family Days
Harlem Festival of Culture 7/28 - 7/30 Randalls Island Inaugural three day festival inspired by the documentary "Summer of Soul" about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Headlined by Ferg, Teyana Taylor, and Wyclef Jean.
NYCHA Family Day 7/29/2023 1829 Lexington AveNew York, NY 10029
 Borough based Hip Hop 50 themed NYCHA Family Days
Bronx Summer Cleanup Series 7/29/2023 Corner of 3rd Ave and East 127th Street, Mott Haven 10451 Part of the Sanitation Foundation's Bronx Summer Cleanup Series. Rap and dance prodigy XO Wavy will give a rap and dance performance
Landmark Festival 7/29 and 7/30 178 East 124th Street, 10035 A weekend dedicated to honoring New York's most iconic hip hop landmarks with artists, live painting, gallery exhibits, vendors and more
August HIPHOP50 Sportswear Exhibit at AM:PM Gallery 8/2 - 8/11 108 Marcy Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211 This event will commemorate the influence of our coveted sportswear brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and more on hop hop culture in New York City
Bronx Summer Cleanup Series 8/4/2023 Corner of Harrod Place & Morrison Ave, Soundview 10472 Part of the Sanitation Foundation's Bronx Summer Cleanup Series. D-Nasty ThaMasta, an embee and freestylist, will give a performance with beatboxing by Zanzifx
El Puente 7th annual Break For Justice 8/5/2023 Maria Hernandez Park, Brooklyn, NY El Puente is hosting our 7th annual Break For Justice! Celebrating Breaking and all styles of dance. DJ Fleg Breaking and winning performances to be awarded.
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: When the Beat was Born: Dance Storytime with TweetBoogie and DJ Go BIZZY! 8/9/2023 The Garden at Damrosch Park Dance teacher and artist TweetBoogie and DJ Go BIZZY! Will present a storytime focusing on the various music and dance styles of hip hop and teach a short dance routine to participants
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: We Out Here 8/9/2023 The Dance Floor on Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center Following a screening of oral history clips and a panel discussion at the Library for the Performing Arts, Gabriel "Kwikstep" Dioniso and Ana "Rokafella" Garcia bring eight competitors together for a dance battle and silent disco
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: J.PERIOD Live Mixtape: Gods & Kings Edition 8/9/2023 Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center DJ/producer J.PERIOD presents a multimedia "mixtape" tribute with performances from Rakim and Big Daddy Kane as well as special guests
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: Ladies of Hip-Hop Dance Collective 8/10/2023 The Dance Floor on Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center Join Ladies of Hip-Hop, an all female collective dedicated to empowering girls and women in hip-hop culture, with performances and a dance lesson
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: Jazz Está Morto: Arthur Verocai with Orchestra 8/11/2023 Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center Accompanied by a full orchestra, Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai will perform for the first time in New York City and share his 1972 seminal self-titled debut album in its entirety
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: DJ Spinna 8/11/2023 The Dance Floor on Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center Silent Disco series returns with DJ Spinna, a founding member of The Jigmastas
Bronx Summer Cleanup Series 8/11/2023 Plaza Drive & Macobs Read (Keltch Park), Mount Eden 10452 Part of the Sanitation Foundation's Bronx Summer Cleanup Series. Renowned producer Amadeus will give a book reading
Its All Black Music Presents 5x5 Block Parties 8/11/2023 Staten Island, Castleton Ave & Davis Ave. 3pm-9pm Block Party Series Celebrating Hip Hop's 50th. 5 Decades X 5 Boroughs
Its All Black Music Presents 5x5 Block Parties 8/12/2023 The Bronx, 1520 Sedgewick Ave. 3pm-9pm Block Party Series Celebrating Hip Hop's 50th. 5 Decades X 5 Boroughs
Its All Black Music Presents 5x5 Block Parties 8/13/2023 Harlem, 125th & 8th Ave. 3pm-9pm Block Party Series Celebrating Hip Hop's 50th. 5 Decades X 5 Boroughs
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: The Art of the Cypher 8/12/2023 Hess Grand Promenade, David Geffen Hall Founder of #HipHopEd Dr. Chris Emdin will host this event that will feature talented teen rappers with an interactive Pre-Show Family Workshop led by Lincoln Center Teaching Artists
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: Every Body Move! 8/12/2023 LeFrak Lobby, David Geffen Hall A unique workshop led by experienced instructor Ethel Calhoun that incorporates wellness, movement, and joy and based on popular dances born from African American & diasporic cultures
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: POP UP: Step it UP 8/12/2023 Hearst Plaza, Lincoln Center The winning team of DYCD's Step It Up Competition will premier their final dance routine
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: Sainted: A Trap Choir Experience 8/12/2023 The Dance Floor on Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center Sainted, a trap choir founded by DJ Fannie Mae and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Dennis Reed, will offer audiences an eclectic range of gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and trap music, paying special homage to the Southern Black Church experience
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: Rakim + Rapsody & Special Guests 8/12/2023 Damrosch Park New York's legendary lyrical master Rakim will headline a concert of classic cuts with a roster of special guests, including Rapsody
Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week: Silent Disco: Mr. Life Of Your Party fka DJ FLY TY 8/12/2023 The Dance Floor on Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center Lincoln Center's Hip-Hop Week culminates in a silent disco led by Mr. Life Of Your Party fka DJ FLY TY
Bronx Summer Cleanup Series 8/12/2023 Corner of River Avenue & East 161 Street, Yankee Stadium Part of the Sanitation Foundation's Bronx Summer Cleanup Series. Division X will give a hip hop and spoken word performance.
The Universal Hip-Hop Parade 8/12/2023 Marcus Garvey and Fulton Streets The Universal Hip-Hop Parade is a grassroots event and movement that celebrates both the legacy of Marcus Garvey and the creativity of Hip-Hop culture.
NYCHA Family Day 8/15/2023 Stapleton Houses, 181 Gordon St, Staten Island, NY 10304 Borough based Hip Hop 50 themed NYCHA Family Days
NYCHA Family Day 8/26/2023 Van Dyke Houses, 422 Blake Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11212 Borough based Hip Hop 50 themed NYCHA Family Days
Brooklyn Museum: SET IT OFF: Celebrating Hip-Hop 50 8/26/2023 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11213 SET IT OFF, a beloved Brooklyn-born hip-hop dance party amplifying queer and trans community, returns to the Museum for a special night.
Web3 Creators Day: Hip Hop's Digital Evolution 8/27/2023 Queensbridge Park Celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop with Queens native, NBA champion Metta World Peace! Dive into a blend of sneaker art and digital technology.
Master Class with Iman Brooks 8/29/2023 Ladies of Hip-Hop Studio, 38-26 30th St, Long Island City, NY 11101 Hip-Hop dance class open level for experienced dancers.
September Hip Hop 4 Peace + United Nations Global Compact Brazil 9/14/2023 United Nations, New York City VIP Reception, Concert, and Panel Discussion
NYCHA Family Days 9/1/2023 - 9/30/2023 NYCHA Locations Deveopment-based social activities sponsored by resident associations to have games, bbq, music--already exist, weaving in HH50 programming
Hip Hop 4 Peace 9/15/2023 United Nations A dinner reception with live entertainment and messages of peace provided by officials from all over the world
BRIC House Block Party 9/18/2023 BRIC House, Rockwell Place and 300 Ashland Party hosted at BRIC house, Rockwell Place and 300 Ashland
BRIC "The Science and Art of the DJ" 9/25/2023 BRIC House Media Center Professonal workshop hosted at BRIC House Media Center
BRIC Graffiti & Photo Exhibit 9/25/2023-12/1/23 BRIC House Swing Space Exhibit through December at BRIC House Swing Space and Cafe
October Family Day: 50 Years of Hip Hop 10/7/2023 Carnegie Hall Enjoy free, interactive, and fun musical activities and performances in Carnegie Hall's Resnick Education Wing. Family Day is an anticipated musical adventure that returns each season with brand-new themes and activities. This fall, join us for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. Stop by for a visit or stay for the whole afternoon! Activities are ongoing from 12 PM to 4 PM
November Whose Side Are You On? (Hip Hop Gospel Musical) 11/10/2023-11/12 2023 Salem United Methodist Church Harlem; 2190 7th Ave. Manhattan Whose Side Are You On? A spirited hip-hop gospel musical combating gang and gun violence.
Truck Jewelry Exhibition 11/13/23-11/19/23 Brooklyn Navy Yard / Hip Hop Closet, 141 Flushing Avenue Bldg 77 Suite 607 Bklyn, NY 11205 A 50 year Hip Hop jewelry style journey curated by Shara McHayle, through hand painted canvases by acclaimed graffiti and fine artist BlusterOne.