"It's Time for Hip Hop in NYC" Free Concert Series Kicks-Off in The Bronx

August 16, 2021

First 1,000 ticket holders who arrive at concerts can receive a free, limited edition “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” T-Shirt

Live temporary art installations will be curated by Thrive Collective and feature Tats Cru, among other NYC street artists

Onsite food by Bronx Night Market, followed by Hester Street Fair at the Staten Island and Brooklyn concerts

NEW YORK—Today, as part of NYC Homecoming Week, which runs between August 14th to 22nd, New York City, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and IDEKO will kick off the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” free concert series in the Bronx. The concerts will feature a dynamic lineup of Hip Hop, Latin freestyle, dance, freestyle, techno, and funk artists set to perform in the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

As Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today during his media availability, the first 1,000 ticket holders who arrive at the concerts may receive a free, limited edition “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” t-shirt. Concert goers will also enjoy live temporary art installations by local street artists curated by Thrive Collective at all four shows, in addition to food by the Bronx Night Market at Orchard Beach, and Hester Street Fair at Midland Beach and Brooklyn Army Terminal.

The four free concerts to be held at outdoor venues will be hosted by iconic Video Music Box host Ralph McDaniels; live streamed by Behind the Rhyme, a channel on Twitch; all made possible through presenting sponsor Planet Fitness, with sponsor support from Resorts World for the concert in Queens. Tickets can be reserved at: nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.

“NYC Homecoming Week concerts are the celebration we all deserve and tonight’s first concert in the Bronx will be legendary,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are beyond excited for communities across the city to enjoy this free performance followed by incredible lineups with the greatest all-stars of Hip Hop in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens before our historic finale with Clive Davis and Live Nation in Manhattan.”

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud to bring your Hip Hop heroes’ home to New York City. We gathered the best of the boroughs’ MC’s for four exciting days of incredible free concerts. With our partners at The City of New York and IDEKO, we are celebrating Hip Hop’s 48th anniversary. Hip Hop culture’s strength, creativity and resiliency are a vital part of NYC’s recovery,” said Rocky Bucano, Executive Director and President of the Universal Hip Hop Museum

“We are very excited to be presenting the It's Time for Hip Hop in NYC concert series and celebrating our great city,” said James Innocenti, Chief Operating Officer of PF Supreme LLC, a Planet Fitness franchise. “We brought the first affordable fitness option to the city over 20 years ago, and today with 40 locations throughout the five boroughs we look forward to continuing to help make this the greatest city.”

“Resorts World is proud to support the Summer of New York City and celebrate the incredible talent that will perform in Queens as part of the It's Time for Hip Hop in NYC concert series,” said Michelle Stoddart, VP of Community Development and Public Affairs for Resorts World New York.

“This unforgettable concert series will be one for the ages and a testament to our collective efforts to ensure a safe and meaningful celebration as part of our citywide recovery efforts,” said Citywide Events Executive Director Dan Gross. “We thank our partners at the Universal Hip Hop Museum and IDEKO, in addition to Clive Davis, Doug Davis, and Live Nation, for helping us make this week an incredibly uplifting experience for our communities.”

“The NYC Homecoming concerts this week will serve not only as great opportunity to come together as a city but to also thank every single New Yorker who kept our city moving forward this past year,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring the concert series to every borough, giving all New Yorkers the chance to celebrate and enjoy the summer in the city.”

“Orchard Beach parking lot has been transformed into the first ‘It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC’ concert venue and we are ready to welcome thousands of New Yorkers to a great show and help bring the positive energy back to New York City,” said Evan Korn, CEO of IDEKO. “We are thrilled to be a partner in this event series and cannot wait for the first act to hit the stage at 3pm today!”

As part of the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” experience and emphasizing the historical connection between Hip Hop and graffiti art, Thrive Collective—a nonprofit that creates hope and opportunity through arts, sports, and mentoring in and around public schools—has curated a roster of standout New York City street artists that will create live, temporary art installations during the concerts. The street artists are as follows:

First Stop: Orchard Beach in The Bronx on Monday, August 16th from 3:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring KRS-One, Slick Rick, Kid Capri, and Nice & Smooth.

• John “Crash” Matos
• Wilfredo "Bio" Feliciano, Tats Cru
• Sotero "BG183" Ortiz, Tats Cru
• Hector "Nicer" Nazario, Tats Cru

Second Stop: Midland Beach on Staten Island on Tuesday, August 17th from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, Pharoahe Monch, Force MDs, and EPMD.

• Marc "Cramcept" Mazurkiewicz
• Adam "ADM" McLeer, LOB
• Michael "Lask" McDonald
• Jeff "Air3" Allen

Third Stop: Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn on Thursday, August 19th from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring Big Daddy Kane, Maino, Desiigner, Elle Varner, and Papoose.

• David "Chino” Villorente, BYI
• Robin "Ribs " Padro, GAK
• Jenna Morello
• Michela "Miki Mu" Muserra

Fourth Stop: Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on Friday, August 20th from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars with Special Guests

• Maria "Toofly" Castillo
• Bianca Romero
• Jin "Peach" Tao
• Marissa Molina

“Public art transforms public spaces and awakens our imagination,” said Jeremy Del Rio, Executive Director of Thrive Collective. “Graffiti writers and muralists make art accessible for all New Yorkers. NYC Homecoming Week features an intergenerational selection of artists and styles that represent the beautiful diversity of New York City.”

The “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concerts will also feature unique food experiences curated by the Bronx Night Market at Orchard Beach and by Hester Street Fair in Staten Island and Brooklyn. 

Among the food vendors curated by Bronx Night Market who will sell concessions on-site today, August 16th, at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, are:

• C Bao
• Cupcake Me!
• Cuzin’s Duzin
• Downeast Lobstah
• Dre’s Water Ice
• Hangry Dog
• Harlem Seafood ​Soul
• Jugo Juice
• La’Maoli
• Rib in a Cup
• Sam’s Fried Ice Cream
• Tacos El Guero
• Treat Yourself Jerk

“We are proud and honored to be part of this amazing celebration of resilience dedicated to the greatest city in the world,” said Marco Shalma, Co-Founder of Bronx Night Market. “The Bronx Night Market was the only night market to be open during the pandemic because our community needed a sense of normalcy, and now we get to share our passion with even more of our hometown's residents.”

Among the food vendors curated by Hester Street Fair who will sell concessions on-site Tuesday, August 17th at Midland Beach on Staten Island, are:

• Black Orchid Kitchen
• Miss Hollys Smokeshop
• Tacos El Guero
• Veggie Grub

Among the food vendors curated by Hester Street Fair who will sell concessions on-site Thursday, August 19th at Brooklyn Army Terminal on August 17th, are:

• Brooklyn Baked and Fried
• Empanada Papa
• Jakarta Munch
• La'Maoli
• La Newyorkina
• Memphis Seoul
• Miss Hollys Smokeshop
• Renegade Lemonade
• Tacos El Guero
• Tada Noodles
• Veggie Grub
• Wahgwaan

“We are thrilled to join NYC Homecoming Week and to bring the incredible vendors we work with to Staten Island and Brooklyn for this celebration of our City’s comeback,” said David Komurek, Founder of Hester Street Fair. “As our industry has adapted through the COVID pandemic, opportunities to connect small businesses with audiences have played a critical role in our City’s recovery—and that’s what the spirit of this week is all about.”

The Universal Hip Hop Museum and New York City have teamed with Behind The Rhyme, a channel on Twitch devoted to hip hop and its culture, to livestream all four “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concerts this week in The Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens. The broadcast, produced by Fortress Entertainment and Fuzzy Bunny Films, will feature live performances, as well as backstage content and interviews hosted by veteran journalist Shaheem Reid. On August 16-17 and August 19-20, fans can watch, chat, and share custom emotes at www.twitch.tv/behindtherhyme.

“We’re really excited to be working with the Universal Hip Hop Museum and New York City to make this amazing celebration of Hip Hop and the city available to the rest of the world via livestream at www.twitch.tv/behindtherhyme!” said Ann Carli, Executive Producer of live streaming partner Behind The Rhyme.

To enter an “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concert, ticket holders must bring:

• Ticket as a scannable digital ticket on your phone or a printed copy;
• Valid government-issued photo identification such as a drivers’ license, passport, or IDNYC that matches your proof of COVID- 19 vaccination; and
• Proof of vaccination that shows you have had at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccination.

In accordance with City of New York requirements:

Attendees who are age 12 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter an “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concert. Proof of vaccination includes at least one dose of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac.

Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 must:

• Be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter an “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concert (The vaccinated adult must present proof of at least one dose of a Food and Drug Administration or World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine, which are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac.);
• Present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours or take a rapid test prior to entrance, and that test must be negative; and
• Wear a face covering if over age two and medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to:

• Sign an attestation to that effect to enter the concert;
• Present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the event; and
• If medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of the event.

Due to congestion at entry points, staff will bring those signing an attestation to a nearby area to sign and escort them back to line.

For more information, visit the "Faqs" page at nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.

In addition to “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC,” NYC Homecoming Week, a citywide celebration of New York City’s resilience, features:

• “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert,” a once-in-a-lifetime concert produced by New York City, Clive Davis, and Live Nation to be held on the Great Lawn in Central Park on Saturday, August 21 at 5 p.m. EDT with VIP packages—including a premium location with many amenities, VIP entrance, private restrooms, concessions with specialty food and drink options, and other benefits—available for purchase at nyc.gov/homecomingweek;
• Six Free Outdoor Screenings with Rooftop Films including Spike Lee’s new  “NYC Epicenters 9/11 - 2021 ½” series with two chapters to be shown at Rockefeller Park, Manhattan on Wednesday, August 18th, doors open at 6:30 p.m., with an in-person introduction by Spike Lee at 7:45 p.m.;
• Over 100 “Summer of NYC” Cultural, Entertainment, and Community Events hosted by NYC Homecoming Week partners and with community engagement supported by Thirteen; and
• Iconic events including NYC Restaurant Week.

View the full list of NYC Homecoming Week events listed by event type and search by event type, ticket type, date, or borough on nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek. To share about NYC Homecoming Week events on social media, visit the social media toolkit: on.nyc.gov/HomecomingWeekToolkit

This celebration of New York City’s resilience will drive support for the mom-and-pop businesses and local organizations that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of our city beating throughout the COVID pandemic. Visit nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek for more information.