*Milwaukee officials have invited Jay-Z to bring his Made In America music festival to the city next year after Philadelphia’s mayor appeared to express that he no longer wants the event at the spot where it’s been held since 2012.
Alderman Khalif Rainey says in a letter to Jay-Z’s company, Roc Nation, that Milwaukee is known as a city of festivals because it hosts dozens of events annually, including Summerfest. The letter Thursday (Jul 19) is signed by four or Rainey’s Common Council colleagues.
Made In America is held Labor Day weekend at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which includes museums, monuments and the iconic Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
But Philly mayor Jim Kenney said the festival can no longer be held at that location after this year due to the costs, adding that after six years, tourism has grown, so “the need for an event of this scale at this location may no longer be necessary.” The announcement prompted an angry op-ed response from Jay-Z in the Philadelphia Inquirer pointing out – among other things – the money his festival has brought to the city.
“We are disappointed that the mayor of the city of Philadelphia would evict us from the heart of the city, through a media outlet, without a sit-down meeting, notice, dialogue, or proper communication,” he wrote, and cited the $102.8 million in economic impact the festival has brought to the city and the $3.4 million the festival has paid in rent.
Mayor Jim Kenney says the city is looking for alternative sites.
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