KRS-One has found his own way to give back to Hip Hop, by launching an in-person series and website for its 50th anniversary.
The Boogie Down Productions rapper recently launched Birthplaceofhiphop.nyc, a website and event series featuring several community-based programs, including a Hip Hop masterclass curated and hosted by the Bronx lyricist and historian.
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All events will take place at the Community Center at 1520 Sedgwick Ave starting on August 11. Known as “the birthplace of Hip Hop,” the address played a significant role in Hip Hop’s early history as it was home to DJ Kool Herc’s Back To School Jam in August 1973.
There will also be pop-up exhibits to showcase and celebrate the genre’s origins, according to a recent press release.
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“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. We used our creativity when they tried to stifle us,” KRS-One said in a statement.
He added: “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.”
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In addition to the in-person series, there will be a visual art competition. The winning design must include Hip Hop elements “necessary to both celebrate the 50th Anniversary while inspiring future generations to continue to grow.”
The “Sound of da Police” artist’s logo competition will launch on Friday, April 28 at 12:01 a.m, and closes on May 31st at 11:59 p.m.
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“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,” the rapper said. “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.”
In other KRS-One news, the rapper was honored with his very own mural earlier this year in the same area he was once homeless.
The mural at 2nd St. near 1st Ave was painted by Italian street artist Jorit in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. KRS told Fox 5 NY at the time that despite all his success, nothing compares to being immortalized in a mural.
“Wow! Just wow!” KRS-One said. “There is no award that is above this. I grew up here. KRS-One grew up in this neighborhood and was less than every single person here. I was homeless. I might have slept right there. [Hip Hop taught me] I can do anything.”
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The artist Jorit added: “KRS-One is aggressive but he always looked to unite the aggressiveness and force of rap with positive messages.”
