This summer marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop! Birthed on August 11th, 1973 with a ‘Back to School’ block party spun by DJ Kool Herc in The Bronx, hip-hop is defined by five pillars: MCing, DJing, break dancing, graffiti art, and knowledge. We’ve rounded up some amazing ways for you to celebrate hip-hop this week, from pop-up events, live concerts, and museum exhibits, experiencing it all in NYC!
Check back for new additions, and sign up for our events newsletter below for additional Hip Hop 50 events beyond this week!
Updated 8/9/23
Events & Concerts
Monday, August 7th
Through September 14th- Free, No RSVP Required
New York Public Library Hip-Hop 50 Events
Join NYPL this summer as they celebrate the legacy of hip-hop with a special-edition library card, free programs, and events, reading recommendations, playlists, and more—culminating in a major celebration in August!
Tuesday, August 8th
Tuesday, August 8th-Saturday, August 12th- Reservations Recommended
50 Years of Hip-Hop at Park Lane New York
Darling Rooftop on the 47th floor of Park Lane New York will be serving up a specialty, ultra-vibey cocktail menu inspired by the history of Hip-Hop and themed to the sounds of a vinyl-only DJ. Featuring Stretch Armstrong, DJ Boogie Bling, DJ Niks, and others.
Also, don’t miss bespoke Hennessy tasting sessions and merchandise giveaways throughout the week!
Wednesday, August 9th
Wednesday, August 9th- Thursday, August 10th- Free, No RSVP required
Rise Up NYC Concert Series
The return of the “Rise Up NYC” concert series will provide New Yorkers with eight free community concerts that will be performed by critically acclaimed artists across all five boroughs this summer.
Concerts this Wednesday and Thursday will take place in The Bronx on Orchard Beach, headlined by Ja Rule and The Lox.
Wednesday, August 9th-Saturday, August 12th- Free with RSVP
Lincoln Center Hip-Hop Week
Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City honors the golden anniversary of that fateful night with a campus-wide celebration of the music, fashion, dance, poetry, and global cultural influence of Hip-Hop.
Join them for live performances by Rakim, DJ J.PERIOD with Big Daddy Kane and more special guests, Brazilian performer Arthur Verocai hosted by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, outdoor dance parties and silent discos featuring the greatest DJs of past and present, a trap choir experience, and participatory family events.
Thursday, August 10th
Thursday, August 10th- Free with RSVP
SiriusXM x Pandora: ‘For the Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop’ Featuring Wu-Tang Clan
Join Pandora as they celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary and legacy as a cultural phenomenon with a live performance from New York legends, Wu-Tang.
Thursday, August 10th- Free with RSVP
Morrison Hotel Gallery 50 Years of Hip-Hop Opening Reception
Join Morrison Hotel Gallery for the opening party of ‘Hip Hop at 50’ a photo exhibition featuring 50 iconic photographs co-curated by Queen Latifah and Whoopi Goldberg. This celebration marks the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, taking viewers on an immersive journey through five decades of cultural revolution.
With support from Creek Water Whiskey, you will have the opportunity to view the collection in person, experience a tasting booth from Whoopi Goldberg’s marijuana company Emma and Clyde by WhoopFam, and immerse yourself in the world of Hip -Hop with a special DJ set by DJ Earl Grey. The collection will be on view Thursday, August 10th -Thursday, August 24th.
Thursday, August 10th- Ticketed
Circle Line 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop & Missy Elliot Dance Cruise with Universal Hip-Hop Museum
Set sail with Circle Line up and down the Hudson River, honoring the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with some special surprises. Learn Missy Elliott’s greatest hits with a choreography lesson from Byron from B. Free Dance!, and prepare for nonstop smash hits spun by the legendary DJ Spinderella!
They’ve also partnered with uptown’s Universal Hip Hop Museum to donate 50% of all ticket sales from this cruise.
Thursday, August 10th & Friday August 11th- Free, No RSVP Required
TSQ Live: Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration
TSQ LIVE invites hundreds of artists, performers, and cultural producers to share their work in one of the world’s most iconic public places.
Marking their biggest season to date, this year’s lineup features over 80 free, open-air events across two stages, including DJ sets, live concerts, dance workshops, and more.
Join them on Thursday for Dance with Ailey Extension and on Friday for Dance with Brickhouse NYC.
Thursday, August 10th- Saturday, August 12th- Free with RSVP
RUN DMC 40th Anniversary Art Installation + Pop-up Shop
RUN DMC, one of the most influential acts in the history of American Hip Hop culture, is having a pop-up and art installation experience in partnership with adidas Originals. The pop-up will be open to the public with tunes from well-known hip-hop DJ Skratchbastid and appearances from both Rev. Run and DMC.
Friday, August 11th
Friday, August 11th- Free, No RSVP Required
Summerstage- Staten Island Celebrates The 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop: Hosted By Raekwon The Chef and others
For the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Raekwon honors that legacy with a few friends, including Staten Island native Tyrone Briggs, performing with the borough’s funkiest fusion band the Jazztronauts, and Shyheim, the Wu-Tang-affiliated MC who broke out at 14 years old with his 1994 LP AKA The Rugged Child.
The pillars of hip-hop will be celebrated with live graffiti, dance, and streetwear vendors.
Friday, August 11th- Free with RSVP
Samsung 837 x The Debut Live: T.I. Intimate Conversation
In honor of Hip-Hop 50, Samsung 837 and The Debut Live present a special evening highlighting GRAMMY Award-winning rapper, actor, and CEO of Grand Hustle Records, T.I.
Friday, August 11th- Ticketed
Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium
On Hip Hop’s 50th birthday, Friday, August 11th, in Hip Hop’s birthplace, The Bronx, the genre’s biggest names will come together for a legendary, celebratory concert – Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium.
The can’t-miss milestone event will feature Run DMC’s ‘Bottom of the Ninth…The Walk-Off’ performance, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and others. A “Queens of Hip Hop” set will feature Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Trina, and more! Can’t make it in person? Watch the Live Stream on YouTube here.
Friday, August 11th
NY Liberty x Hip-Hop At Fifty: Unity Game at Barclay’s Center
NY Liberty vs. Chicago Sky. The evening kicks off with a free Fan First Concert on The Plaza with BreezyLYN, followed by the game which will include player intros, a halftime performance by MC Lyte, and a post-game concert by MC Lyte and Rapsody. Events begin at 6pm. Tickets to the game here.
Friday, August 11th- Free, No RSVP Required
Universal Hip Hop Museum Hip-Hop’s 50th Birthday Jam
On the historically noted birthday of Hip Hop, the Universal 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.
Featuring music, food, and drinks, murals graffitied by artists courtesy of Thrive Collective, including Tats Cru, Lady Pink, Will Power, and Queen Andrea. Followed by 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.
Friday, August 11th-Saturday, August 12th- Free with RSVP
BRIC Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Weekend
Join BRIC for BRIC Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Weekend at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! 2023 featuring performances by Digable Planets, Kari Faux, Wiki, Donwill, and Quinnette; a screening of the movie Brown Sugar; Hip-Hop games and talks; and more!
Friday, August 11th- Sunday, August 13th- Free, No RSVP Required
5×5 Block Party Series Celebrating Hip-Hop’s 50th
Join ITSALLBLACKMUSIC for the 5×5 Block Party Series (5 decades x 5 boroughs) and Talks Series celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop.
Friday’s block party will take place in Staten Island and feature DJ Red Alert, DJ Drewski, and Statik Selektah, with special guests KRS-ONE, Nems, Dres from Black Sheep, and more! Saturday’s party will take place in front of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue (where hip-hop was founded) in The Bronx and feature Kid Capri Grandmaster Cas, Talib Kweli, Chuck D, KRS-ONE, and many more. Sunday’s finale will take place in Harlem and feature DJ’s Red Alert, Prince Paul, Ted Smooth, and others alongside guest performances by Dres from Black Sheep and others.
Saturday, August 12th
Saturday, August 12th- Free with RSVP
From Platinum to the Silver Screen: The Making of the ODB Doc
Join Sprite, The Apollo & HIP-HOP AT FIFTY, in collaboration with Four Screens Management, for an in-depth look at the life & legacy of iconic New York rapper the ODB through the lens of his forthcoming documentary ODB: A Tale of Two Dirtys. Through archival footage—including never-before-seen outtakes, home videos, and personal photos—and firsthand accounts from ODB’s family, business managers, and the film’s producers.
Come early! Exclusive vinyl copies of Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version will be available to the first 50 fans. Additional artist merch & swag will be on-hand for all in attendance. Refreshments provided by Sprite.
Saturday, August 12th- Ticketed
Chef Ed’s Mixtape Dinner at Olly Olly Market
Chef Ed’s Mixtape Dinner is back! Celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop, Chef Ed will honor the legendary Uncle Ralph McDaniels, creator of Video Music Box. Hosted by Hot 97’s own Shani Kulture, with vibes by DJ Rob Dinero.
Mixing 90’s Hip-Hop with culinary art, food & drink will be curated by Chef Ed with Olly Olly vendors. Expect dope special guest appearances and performances. Exclusive/Limited edition art and clothing by This Respek Wear.
Sunday, August 13th
Sunday, August 13th- Free, No RVSP Required
Summerstage- Funk Flex & Friends Birthday Concert Featuring Raheem Devaughn, Rob Base & More
Radio DJ and New York City icon Funk Flex hosts his annual birthday throwdown in Coney Island with a pair of throwback acts infusing R&B with soul.
Featuring GRAMMY-nominated R&B singer Raheem DaVaughn, Harlem native Rob Base who remains forever a part of hip-hop history with his 1988 classic “It Takes Two” with the late DJ E-Z Rock, and others!
Sunday, August 13th- Free with RSVP
D’USSÉ Day Party
To honor the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, D’USSÉ Cognac is specially curating this year’s series of Day Party celebrations to commemorate today’s leading women in Hip Hop and ending it in the birthplace of the genre, New York.
Rotating across four different locations across the country, each Day Party destination has hosted a female rapper host moving the needle in the genre and will be providing guests with a day filled with live entertainment, specialty D’USSÉ cocktails, merch, and more.
D’USSÉ Cognac is wrapping up the VIP Day party experience of the summer season in NYC at Harbor (621 West 46th Street) from 4-8pm with Brooklyn’s “Don’t Play With It” rapper Lola Brooke.
Museums/Art Galleries
The Book of HOV at Brooklyn Public Library
Through the Summer- Free, No RSVP Required
Brooklyn Public Library is presenting The Book of HOV, an installation created by Roc Nation to celebrate the life and work of Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. One of Brooklyn’s most influential figures, JAY-Z has shaped and consistently redefined hip-hop, music, and culture on a global scale.
The Book of HOV features never-before-seen images, art, and ephemera from the artist’s archives, providing an unparalleled look at an extraordinary life and career.
Universal Hip Hop Museum: [R]Evolution of Hip Hop + Free DJ Events
Ongoing- Free with RSVP for the month of August
The [R]Evolution of Hip Hop is an immersive journey through Hip Hop History conceived by creative agents from multiple artistic backgrounds that employ archives and experimental storytelling techniques focusing on the five elements of Hip Hop: MCing, DJing, Breakdancing, Aerosol Art, and Knowledge.
The Museum of The Moving Image ‘Real Rap: Hip-hop Star Power On Screen’
Through October 21st- Ticketed Admission
This series focuses on hip-hop artists who have appeared on the big screen, featuring action-packed blockbusters, thoughtful comedies, and independent dramas from the 1990s to the 2000s—essential stories of diverse communities as performed by gifted and compelling artists on film.
This week’s film feature is Barbershop, showing on Saturday, August 12th, and Sunday, August 13th.
The Bronx Museum ‘Dianne Smith: Two Turntables & a Microphone’ Exhibit
Through August 20th- Free, No RSVP Required
Dianne Smith’s exhibition Two Turntables & a Microphone celebrates Black joy and expressions of identity that hip-hop has fostered through its community-building power.
With this year marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Smith celebrates this milestone by paying homage to hip-hop’s Bronx roots and its role in empowering communities across the world through a large-scale and site-specific interdisciplinary installation.
Hall des Lumières ‘Hip Hop Til Infinity’ Exhibition
Through September 17th- Ticketed Admission
This digital installation will transport guests through Hip Hop’s different eras and regions – from the skate parks to the stage, to the metaverse.
The exhibition will also feature interactive programming, including virtual concerts, live panels & conversations, listening parties, artist meet & greets, and more.
Brooklyn Museum ‘Jamel Shabazz: Faces and Places, 1980–2023’
Through September 23rd- Ticketed Admission
Since 1980, Shabazz has documented the vitality of city life and hip-hop culture in New York City and beyond, creating enduring images of style, community, and joy.
Recognizing his significant contributions to Brooklyn—and the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop—this installation showcases hundreds of Shabazz’s portraits, drawn from his remarkable archive.
Swag
MTA 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Commemorative MetroCards
Commemorative MetroCards will be available throughout the subway system as part of a collaboration with Universal Music Enterprises and Hip Hop At 50 – Honoring 50 Years of Hip Hop: A Legacy of Rhythm, Revolution, and Soul.
40,000 MetroCards featuring portraits of New York hip-hop icons LL Cool J and Pop Smoke will be available for purchase starting on August 5th on a first come, first serve basis at select stations.
Special-Edition Hip-Hop New York Public Library Card
Unlock the power of the Library with a new, special-edition library card commemorating 50 years of hip-hop!
The card features imagery from the soundtrack cassette of the iconic 1983 film Wild Style, directed by Charlie Ahearn, widely considered to be the first film dedicated to hip-hop.
