On Aug. 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc and his sister held their first hip-hop party in the Bronx, and the rest was history.
Friday, Aug. 11 of this year will mark 50 years since that groundbreaking event at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. in Morris Heights, which is now widely considered the birthplace of hip-hop. In 2016, the Bronx street was co-named “Hip Hop Boulevard.”
Since the creation of the genre, hip-hop has inspired not only the music industry. It has also made an impact on film and television, fashion and more.
From the 5X5 Block Party Series across the five boroughs to film festivals, here are some of the 50th anniversary events taking place across the five boroughs this month.
The Bronx
Rise Up NYC Concert Series 2023
When: Wednesday, Aug. 9
Where: Orchard Beach parking lot
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The concert series will feature a variety of artists, including Ja Rule, The Lox, Chubb Rock, Milk D, Joe Ski Love, Peter Gunz and Grand Puba.
More information can be found here.
Hip Hop’s 50th: The UHHM’s Birthday Jam
When: Friday, Aug. 11
Where: Mill Pond Park
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The event will have music, food, drinks, visual art, a rap showcase and more.
More information can be found here.
Brooklyn
Universal Hip-Hop Parade for Social Justice
When: Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: Von King Park
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual parade celebrates the genre, and this year’s rendition will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
More information can be found here.
Hip-Hop Dance with Brooklyn Music School, A Summer Youth Series Event
When: Friday, Aug. 25
Where: Brooklyn Music School
Time: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The open-level dance workshop will include movement games and teach classic hip-hop choreography.
More information can be found here.
Manhattan
Hip-Hop Film Festival
When: Aug. 11, 15, 16, 17 and 19
Where: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd.
The annual festival plans to honor the genre turning 50 this year with documentaries, short films, features, immersive experiences and more, highlighting how hop-hop culture was created.
More information can be found here.
Queens
For the Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop
When: Aug. 10
Where: Knockdown Center, 52-19 Flushing Ave.
Time: 8 p.m.
The event celebrates hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and features a live performance by the Wu-Tang Clan.
More information can be found here.
Staten Island
Staten Island Celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop: hosted by Raekwon the Chef and Friends/Tyrone Briggs with the Jazztron
When: Aug. 11
Where: Stapleton Waterfront Park, Water St. and Navy Pier Ct.
Time: 5 p.m.
Raekwon the Chef of the Wu-Tang Clan will honor the legacy of the Staten Island-based group with borough native Tyrone Briggs, the Jazztronauts and Shyheim, a Wu-Tang-affiliated MC.
More information can be found here.
5X5 Block Party Series
In partnership with ITSALLBLACKMUSIC PRESENTS, Mayor Eric Adams will host block parties across all five boroughs on different days in August. They will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will include beats from DJs, special guest performances, street art installations and food vendors.
More information can be found here.
Brooklyn
When: Aug. 5
Where: Fulton Street and Washington Avenue
Queens
When: Aug. 6
Where: Vernon Blvd. and 41st St.
Staten Island
When: Aug. 11
Where: Castleton Ave. and Davis Ave.
The Bronx
When: Aug. 12
Where: 1520 Sedgwick Ave.
Manhattan
When: Aug. 13
Where: 125th St. and 8th Ave.