KRS-One has announced he's taking over the official birthplace of Hip Hop—1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx—the same building Kool Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell threw their iconic Back To School jam on August 11, 1973. He's also launched a new website, BirthplaceofHipHop.NYC, that will keep fans up to date on the celebratory events.
Beginning later this year, the veteran MC will lead a series of community-based programs at The 1520 Community Center, including a masterclass in Hip Hop. An official press conference takes place at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on April 25, where KRS-One will join community leaders, tenants and the building's owners to officially launch the celebration. An exhibit dedicated to Hip Hop's origins will eventually follow on August 11.
“The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop is a global movement that speaks to the grit, voice, and power of how it came to be in the first place — we used our voices when they tried to silence us," KRS said in a press release. "We used our creativity when they tried to stifle us. We created the culture because we wanted to stand out and stand up for our artistry. Hip Hop is the people’s movement. I am excited to showcase this to the world in the space where it all began at 1520 Sedgwick in the Community Center. It feels right to be here, where it all began."
KRS-One is launching a logo competition on April 28 as well. He adds, “I’m especially excited about this global logo contest, we’re calling all creatives, designers, graffiti artists to show us their best representation of what Hip-Hop is. As Hip Hop marks this historic milestone, we look to this generation of Hip Hop creatives, designers and enthusiasts, to create the official logo of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary."
Find more information here.
