The Bronx, NY (April 18, 2022) During the 2022, 51st annual conference of New York State
Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators, Inc. held April 8th
-10th in Albany, Speaker Carl Heastie, prior to introducing Bronx native and rap superstar Fat Joe,
proudly announced that the NYS State Legislature is providing a grant of $11 million dollars for
completion of the construction of the Universal Hip Hop Museum to over 1,500 attendees of
the conference. The NYSABPRHAL is dedicated to empowering & educating communities of
color.

“The rise of the Universal Hip Hop Museum in the birthplace of Hip Hop culture –is poised to
become a destination for people from across the world to learn about its history and its
impact,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. “The Assembly Majority is committed to
celebrating the incredible, rich history of our state, our communities, and our people. This grant
will help the UHHM preserve the history and evolution of Hip Hop culture, and it will be a
dedicated space not just to look back on the past, but to bring together and inspire artists and
audiences for the future. I look forward to being able to visit the museum when it opens its
doors.

“The generous grant to the UHHM by NY State legislators speaks to the importance of the
creation of this cultural institution. We sincerely appreciate being recognized for our hard work
to bring the vision of this museum to the Bronx. We are dedicated to preserving and presenting
the history of Hip Hop culture and becoming a truly unique global destination in the South
Bronx, the place of the culture’s birth,” said Universal Hip Hop Museum Executive Director
Rocky Bucano.

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum focuses on the cultural phenomenon that started right here in
the Bronx at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue and celebrates a powerful musical genre that expanded the
boundaries of contemporary style and touched the psyche of millions of listeners,”
Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th AD) said. “The $11 million state grant is a major
investment in the Bronx that will support construction of the Museum as we celebrate the rich
diversity of our community and I want to thank Speaker Carl Heastie for his support.”

Former Bronx Borough President and newest member of the UHHM’s Trustee Board, Ruben
Diaz Jr. offered these remarks, “I’d like to thank the New York State assembly for the $11-
million-dollar grant to the Universal Hip Hop Museum. The museum is poised to be a global
destination to all the lovers of Hip Hop culture, and the financial support that this project
continues to receive acknowledges this fact.”

Hip Hop superstar and Bronx native, Fat Joe performed his certified platinum hit, “All The Way
Up” that evening to an adoring crowd and had this to say, “It is a beautiful day for Hip Hop,
which is a natural resource that was born in the Bronx, NY. This announcement makes us proud
that they (government) are acknowledging our culture.”

Media Contacts:

Alaina Bendi
abendi@rubensteinpr.com
Rubenstein Public Relations

Renee Foster
Renee@uhhm.org
Universal Hip Hop Museum

ABOUT THE UNIVERSAL HIP HOP MUSEUM

Anchored in the birthplace of Hip Hop culture, the Universal Hip Hop Museum will break
ground in the Bronx in 2021. Built as a space for audiences, artists, and technology to converge
and create unparalleled educational and entertainment experiences, the museum is slated to
open in Bronx Point in 2024. The UHHM will celebrate and preserve the history of local and
global Hip Hop music and culture past, present, and future.