(originally published November 2022)

November is Hip Hop History Month, making it prime time to announce how Hip Hop’s 50^th anniversary – 2023 – will be celebrated by the City of New York and The Hip Hop Museum. On November 14, Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright announced the partnership between the City and the THHM, which will present in a 12-month, citywide initiative. 

Alongside the city leadership were artists and icons such as Eric B, Slick Rick, Chuck Chillout, Ralph McDaniels, and THHM Curator Pete Nice. Executive Director Rocky Bucano, Roxanne Shanté, Grandmaster Flash, and Master Gee spoke at the podium.

Mayor Adams shared how Hip Hop has been deep in his story: “My story is your story. Dyslexia, arrested, rejected. Now I’m elected. And so hidden in this moment, this celebratory moment, celebrate the fact that you made me mayor.  With your lyrics poured into me, gave me inspiration.  You told the story. You made me unafraid to tell my story because you were unafraid to tell our story.”

Earlier this year, the Mayor and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Laurie Cumbo announced a total of $5.5M in capital funding for the museum to fit out our in-progress 52,000 sq. ft. space in the Bronx; this bolsters the recently created $50M endowment. At City Hall Park, Rocky said, “The creation of the $50 million endowment ensures our dedication to the celebration and preservation of the Hip Hop culture, and to our daily operations for generations to come. We will continue to pay homage to hip hop icons and pioneers as we celebrate the yearlong 50^th anniversary of Hip Hop culture in 2023 and beyond.” 

This event was covered by multiple media networks, including CBS, Forbes, New York Daily News, and was livestreamed on Mayor Adams’s YouTube channel.