The Block Party invitation art was made by Asya Blue, THHM Graphic Design Director.
This was inspired by 1970s’ original invitations.
For Hip Hop’s 50th: The THHM’s Birthday Jam!
Join us at our Block Party at Mill Pond Park in the Bronx, Friday, August 11th, 12pm - 6pm
On the historically noted birthday of Hip Hop, The Hip Hop Museum is hosting Hip Hop’s 50th Birthday Jam. We will celebrate Hip Hop’s elements on August 11th at Mill Pond Park, next to the museum’s construction site in the Bronx.
The party starts at noon ET with music, food, and drinks (of course). Throughout the day, murals will be graffitied by artists courtesy of Thrive Collective, including Tats Cru, Lady Pink, Will Power, and Queen Andrea. Immediately following the visual art, from 1:00-3:00pm will be RAPAMANIA, a rap showcase hosted by the iconic Van Silk. Next up, Red Bull BC One will host an Open Cypher, presenting any number of world-renowned breakers and local talent between 3:00 and 5:00pm. (Note Red Bull BC One’s East Cypher takes place the next day at Jazz at Lincoln Center.)
August 11th is, by many, recognized as the birthday of the world’s most popular music genre, a movement, and a culture that inspires and informs businesses and communities. Pamela French, producer of this event, said, “It brings me great joy to celebrate Hip Hop’s birthday mere blocks from where it all began 50 years ago. For The Hip Hop Museum, the future home of the official record of Hip Hop, to be where this happens means a lot. From breaking to MC’ing to graffiti art to DJ’ing, we’re celebrating every element of Hip Hop History hosted by legends who will be joined by pioneers and icons, with the backdrop of where Hip Hop will always live.”
The creator of television’s first ever Hip Hop show (“Rapmania,” which broadcast in 1991), Van Silk is “one of the only original promoters before records.” For our block party, he put together a two-hour set list whose performing artists include Chuck D, Melle Mel, Busy Bee Starski, Sparky D, Freedom Williams, too many to mention (reflected by the preceding flyer), and some we’re not allowed to reveal.
This once-in-a-lifetime program is what we would expect from Van, who told me “This park jam is going to be so big; people are looking forward to getting into Mill Pond Park on August 11th.” What, in our conversation, he called “Rapmania 50” looks to be as inspirational and celebratory as his original film was. What began in the Bronx is now international, and available in every language. Besides being “the greatest free show on Earth,” this event will be monumental. And that, as Van said, is like the museum.
Everyone is welcome at this block party in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th, and we invite you to join us on August 11th at noon ET, uptown, in the Bronx, in the parks where it all began. Bonus: our block party birthday celebration, recognized by Van Silk as “the second biggest event happening” is not ten blocks from Yankee Stadium, where the biggest event on this historical day – Hip Hop 50 LIVE – opens its doors at 6pm ET.
