The Bronx, NY   During the 2022, 51^st annual conference of New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators, Inc. held April 8^th -10^th in Albany, Speaker Carl Heastie, prior to introducing Bronx native and rap superstar Fat Joe, proudly announced that the NYS State Legislature is making 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 donation 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, 77^th 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: Renee Foster Renee@uhhm.org

Universal Hip Hop Museum

Alaina Bendi Abendi@rubensteinpr.comUHHM NYS Donation Joint Statement V1

Rubenstein Public Relations

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.