Press Releases

June is New York Music Month!

Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment Announces Calendar of Free Events for New Yorkers to Enjoy Throughout Month of June

Full #NYMusicMonth Lineup, Including Programming that Celebrates the City's 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, Available at NYMusicMonth.NYC

RSVP to the Annual NYMM Conference HERE

NEW YORK, May 17, 2023 – Today, the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) announced the full slate of free programming for the 6th annual New York Music Month (NYMM), the official celebration of New York City's vibrant and dynamic music ecosystem, to run in-person and virtually throughout the month of June. Information on all events, including concerts, performances, industry talks and workshops, and the community-sourced calendar for users to upload free and ticketed music events happening in June across the five boroughs, can be found at NYMusicMonth.NYC.

"This New York Music Month, with a calendar jam-packed with celebrations — like the City's 50th anniversary of hip-hop — the beat of New York City will be heard around the world," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "Between the free rehearsal spaces, workshops, master classes, songwriting camps, and more, there is something for everyone sprinkled throughout the five boroughs, which, as music always does, will serve to unite, educate, and entertain us."

NYMM 2023 will feature the annual NYMM Conference, presented by MOME and the NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program, which takes place June 7 at the NYU Kimmel Center. Some of the biggest names will be on hand to discuss the state of the industry, including:

Torae Carr - Songwriter/Recording Artist, Internal Affairs Entertainment
Alisa Coleman - COO, ABKCO Music & Records, Inc.
Ebro Darden - Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Apple Music
Andreea Gleeson - CEO, TuneCore
Chinese Kitty - Management, KITTYGANGMUSIC
Jamie Krents - President, Verve and Impulse! Records, Universal Music Group
Chissy Nkemere - Former Co-Chair of D&I, Current Chair of Education at Women in Music
Vernon Reid - Founder and primary songwriter, Living Colour
Datwon Thomas - Editor in Chief of VIBE Magazine

Attendees can RSVP HERE.

In addition, MOME is proud to expand NYMM's free rehearsal space program, which provides NYC musicians with free studio space. For the first time, the program will be available at studios in all five boroughs at the following locations:

Astoria Soundworks - Queens
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Studios - Brooklyn
Fenix Studios - Staten Island
Greenwich House Music School - Manhattan
Lush Studios - The Bronx

"This year, we are proud to present a robust, expanded New York Music Month program which, now in its 6th year, has grown from about a dozen events and partners in 2017 to more than 70 events and 30 partners in 2023, a true testament to the powerful music community that lives and works in NYC," said Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. "New York Music Month celebrates our city's heart and soul and showcases all the ways in which music contributes to our city's economy and identity as a global creative capital."

June has been New York Music Month since the initiative was first created by the city in 2017. The annual initiative was created in recognition of the variety of music events taking place in June, such as NYC's SummerStage, Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Gala, and the NMPA Annual meeting; and to expand these offerings to include a more wide-ranging slate of free programming for industry professionals and New Yorkers to enjoy.

New NYMM events and series include:

How to Build a Sustainable Music Career & Collect All Revenue Streams, 12-part Podcast Taping, Produced by Emily White (Collective Entertainment) - Season three of the #1 Music Business podcast in the world will be taped live (12 sessions beginning 6/1 at Tower Records' new Tower Labs space).
Downtown Music Educational Webinar Series, Produced by Downtown Music Holdings - Featuring more than 20 global speakers, this virtual series will shine a light on eight areas of the music industry, debunking myths and discussing everything from the best way to start a music company, to marketing artists, to collecting royalties to finding new fans (beginning 6/1).
Immigrant and Music Initiative 3-Part Series, Produced by Sonic Records - The Immigrant and Music Initiative (I AM I) will celebrate the diverse cultural contributions from immigrants to the music business through panel discussions and masterclasses (6/6 and 6/13 at BerkleeNYC and 6/20 at Quad Studios).
Studio40 Showcase, Produced by The New York Public Library - Studio40 is The New York Public Library's flagship public recording studio and media center in midtown Manhattan. The NYMM Studio40 live Showcase will feature creative work produced by the new, growing, and vibrant community of Studio40 creators – musicians, podcasters, videographers, producers and artists (6/15 at the NY Public Library).
Kids Rock for Kids Concert - An all-ages, outdoor concert featuring teen bands from New York City (6/21 at Old Stone House in Brooklyn).
The Future of the Haitian Music Industry (HMI) by Kreyol Fest - This panel discussion will explore the HMI's rich history and explore strategies for breaking barriers. This discussion aims to ignite collaboration and innovation, shedding light on the immense potential of the HMI to captivate global audiences and carve its path in the international music landscape. (6/21 at Dumbo House)
Creative AI: What Artists and Music-Industry Professionals Need to Know, Produced by Music & Water - A candid panel discussion bringing the public hype (and fear) around music AI down to earth, distilling what about the technology is critical for artists and music-industry professionals to know today, and why (6/22).
The Hang: Live, Produced by Tallboy 7 - Part showcase, part variety show, part music networking event, The Hang will be an evening of shared songs, stories, and advice for the next generation of music professionals (6/29 at The Bitter End).
AI Music Marketing, Produced by Cyber PR - Learn how ChatGPT is about to change everything we know about music marketing and walk away with a roadmap that shows you how AI can be your music marketing assistant (6/27, Bowery Electric).

NYMM events that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop in NYC include:

300Unplugged x NYMM Produced by 300 Studios - 300 Studios – the content and film division of 300 Entertainment - is honored to celebrate Hip Hop 50 with special episodes of their digital series, 300 Unplugged (300U), featuring live performances by rising NYC-based artists and hosted by 300 Elektra Entertainment Chairman & CEO Kevin Liles (6/1, 8pm).
Who Shot Ya - Produced by 4 Wheel City - 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 (6/16).
From Sedgwick Avenue to Madison Avenue: Hip Hop's Impact on Advertising, Produced by the Clio Awards - Artists, creative directors, and agency executives share the stories and strategies behind hip hop's greatest commercials and brand partnerships (6/8 at 220 West 18th Street).

Returning NYMM 2023 concerts, performances, industry talks and workshops of note:

Concert Series with Parks Department - Featuring eight shows throughout Queens and the Bronx (beginning 6/2).
Make it Live! - Presentations from Mehmet Dede, talent buyer at Drom on how live music including the booking, planning and marketing processes (6/5 at BerkleeNYC, 6/20 at National Sawdust).
Anti Social Camp - The biggest songwriting camp in the world (6/12-17 at various locations, 6/12 Opening Ceremony at The New School Lang Center, 6/12 Industry Showcase at Baby's All Right).

NYC Life, the flagship channel of NYC Media, will air the following NYMM content:

"A New York Evening With…" Series - A 5-episode broadcast series, showcasing events presented in partnership with the GRAMMY museum. The first episode will feature 14-time GRAMMY winner Jon Batiste (beginning 6/2, 8pm). Later in the month, the GRAMMY Museum will present the latest live performance in the series, "A New York Evening With… Peggy Lee," featuring an intimate conversation with Mo Rocca and Peggy Lee's granddaughter Holly Foster Wells, plus a special performance from Kristin Chenoweth (6/12 at Buttenwieser Hall at the Arnhold Center).
Inside Power Station @BerkleeNYC - The season 2 premiere of the 12-episode broadcast series takes viewers inside the legendary NYC Power Station recording studio. The first episode features renowned vocalist Nona Hendryx (6/9, 9pm).

"Music is not 'extra.' It is fundamental to our city's social, cultural, economic, and spiritual life. We are all stronger when we invest in the arts, so I am proud to celebrate the biggest annual New York Music Month yet. Before I got involved in politics, music gave me the opportunity to travel the world. We all deserve the chance to have our lives changed, in ways big and small, in the world's greatest music venue: New York City." - Council Member Justin Brannan

"New York Music Month is not only about celebrating and enjoying the thriving music scene across the City, but also about how to make music into a sustainable career. In my home borough of the Bronx, music is at the core of our community culture. Celebrating music's impacts, uplifting members of the community, and ensuring we can create more pathways to work within the industry is vital to bringing NYC back! MOME offers critical informational sessions during June on a range of topics including marketing, revenue streams, technology, and more. Thank you to MOME for hosting this intentional initiative to promote the music industry and the entertainment sector for current and prospective musicians across our city." - Council Member Amanda Farías

"From the Bowery to the Bronx to Bushwick, every New Yorker should get out and celebrate the amazing music scene in New York City. There's no time like the present, so New Yorkers should start today and celebrate Music Month in June!" - Council Member Keith Powers

"From Tin Pan Alley to the Harlem Cultural Festival, Manhattan has long been home to a vibrant music scene, and New York Music Month celebrates and supports the artists who capture the sounds of our borough," said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. "I'm incredibly grateful to Greenwich House Music School for offering free rehearsal space to Manhattan musicians and encourage all New Yorkers to come out to the amazing free concerts and performances happening all month long." - Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine

"We are excited to be joining the Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment in announcing the 6th Annual New York Music Month in June. With music and culture so essential to the life, vitality, and success of local neighborhoods, devoting an entire month is not only a great way to kick off the summer, but as the birthplace of Hip Hop, we are also thrilled the event highlights the 50th Anniversary of this world-changing genre of music. I want to thank Mayor Adams and the Office of Media and Entertainment for prioritizing music and the arts and making both accessible and fun for communities across our city." - Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

"Music is the beat of our city. Who would we be without our subway and street performers, without the bass bleeding out of clubs and concerts on late nights? Events like these open up the rhythm of New York to every single person, whether it's enjoying salsa and R&B at the free concerts, or being exposed to a new beat. Thank you, Mayor Adams, for continuing our City's tradition of our annual New York Music Month and bringing music to the people." - Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

"We're delighted to be partnering with MOME again this year to host the kickoff conference for New York Music Month. NYU has long been a center of music history and innovation, and our faculty and students have continued that tradition as the music business evolves. We look forward to welcoming music creators and industry leaders back to Washington Square this June." Added music attorney and NYU Clinical Associate Professor Judy Tint, "Music of every genre is flourishing throughout New York City and we're honored to help MOME spotlight and celebrate it all." - Professor Larry Miller, Director of the NYU Steinhardt Music Program

"It's an honor to continue to build and collaborate with NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment on providing a platform that highlights a variety of rising, local artists, both signed and unsigned. 300U is the perfect vehicle in celebrating the 50th year of Hip Hop with an industry legend like Kevin helping tell the story of where the culture is going through the lens of these talented, young performers throughout NYMM 2023." - Kelly Griffin, Head of Creative Strategy, 300 Studios and Nolan Baynes, General Manger, 300 Studios

"June offers the most important events and opportunities of the year for independent artists to network, share and learn from each other. With a wealth of experts, resources and workshops, this year's New York Music Month activities promise to be the biggest ones yet! It is a privilege to be asked to return for Make It Live to share best practices in the live music field. We are especially excited to be presenting our workshop in Brooklyn for the first time, in addition to Manhattan." - Director of Programming at Drom, Mehmet Dede

"I'm so excited to be part of NYMM 2023 with our I AM I (Immigration and Music Initiative). Thank you to the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment for supporting this powerful mission and helping us keep NYC as the number one music hub in the world. After all, immigrants make NYC the melting pot we all love!" - Mr. Sonic, GRAMMY-Award winning producer/engineer and founder of the I AM I

"Music is the lifeblood of New York City. New York is the standard-bearer of global culture, and it comes from the grit, determination and character of New Yorkers melding traditions and creating movements. New York Music Month is an important opportunity to celebrate our city as the global center of arts and industry. Thank you to the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment for this initiative. The goals of Anti Social Camp are in alignment with those of New York Music Month — to once again put the Big Apple at the core of the music industry." - Danny Ross, Founder of Anti Social Camp