“They never thought that hip-hop would take it this far.” The prescient iconic line from Notorious B.I.G.’s 90s hit “Juicy” echoed through the air at the inaugural Universal Hip Hop Museum gala last week resonating with an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the illustrious Cipriani in Manhattan. iHeart Radio and EURweb Spotlight host Jazmyn Summers was in the building to bring you the tea.
The night aptly named “50 Years of Hip Hop: NYC to the World” raised millions of dollars including a five million dollar gift from Microsoft.
The elegant star-studded night celebrated five decades of hip-hop’s global impact and paid homage to its pioneers.
A constellation of hip-hop luminaries joined industry leaders including music mogul Kevin Liles, Maino, Peter Gunz, D-Nice, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, Talib Kweli, Easy A.D. of The Cold Crush Brothers, and Treach of Naughty By Nature.
Legendary female rapper Yo Yo hosted the event giving props to the new wave of female rappers who are dominating the music now and sharing her thoughts on the journey of hip hop.
“If I had one message to give to 50 years of hip-hop. We made it. We stuck to our guns. We don’t have to ask for permission anymore. The world is ours. I just love seeing those who have paved the way get the respect they deserve.”
Guests were immersed in the world of hip-hop culture from the moment they stepped in, with meticulously crafted nods to its origins and evolution. The sprawling event space featured a detailed model of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, paying tribute to the birthplace of hip-hop, and a visually captivating cocktail reception that projected videos from iconic hip-hop tracks on the walls. Exhibits adorned with hip-hop artifacts, curated from legends like Kool Herc, LL Cool J, and Run DMC, created an aura of reverence
Each table, crowned with rose-adorned centerpieces, showcased symbolic elements such as basketball hoops, record players, and sneakers.
Rocky Bucano, Executive Director of UHHM, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support garnered by the gala and underscored its significance. “Tonight, we convene not merely as music enthusiasts but as a united community commemorating a culture that defies boundaries, languages, and backgrounds,” Bucano articulated. The inaugural gala stood as a platform to honor the trailblazers who shaped hip-hop’s trajectory and to foster connections that would safeguard its legacy for posterity.
Author and professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a stalwart advocate of hip-hop culture told the crowd. “In the face of economic upheavals, urban transformations, and societal challenges, who would have foreseen New York emerging as the epicenter of a new cultural renaissance?” Dyson mused, addressing the transformative power of hip-hop. He celebrated the intelligence and resilience of the young people who, devoid of formal degrees, wielded profound wisdom.
Nestled in the birthplace of hip-hop, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, established in 2021, embraced its role as a melting pot where audiences, artists, and technology converged to craft immersive educational and entertainment experiences. With tentative plans for a soft opening in late 2024, followed by a grand opening in spring 2025, the museum aspires to chronicle and preserve the rich tapestry of local and global hip-hop music and culture spanning past, present, and future. It will be the largest museum of its kind in the world.
The grand finale of the evening was an unexpected performance by De La Soul, setting the audience ablaze with excitement. As the night drew to a close, the anticipation for the Universal Hip-Hop Museum’s imminent soft opening in 2024 and grand opening in 2025 hung palpably in the air. The museum’s collaborative venture, spearheaded by Gomez and L&M Developers, would materialize as a sprawling 53,000-square-foot edifice encompassing unparalleled exhibits, theaters, affordable housing, and a dining establishment. With the gala’s resonance still reverberating, the museum stood poised to encapsulate hip-hop’s rich heritage and propel it into the future. Donations can be made at https://uhhm.org/.
Article and interviews by Jazmyn Summers. Photos by Melissa Nyomi @melshotya Please don’t forget to subscribe to Jazmyn Summers’ YouTube. Follow her @jaztalk1 on Instagram and Facebook. She is no longer using Twitter due to the increased racism on the site which she believes is a result of Elon Musk’s policies.
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