While its citizens continue to fight against the rampant and cultural enveloping gentrification across its five boroughs, there are times when New York City does ensure the legacy of hip hop. There have been streets named after the likes of Spike Lee (“Do The Right Thing Way,” in Brooklyn), Pumpkinhead (“Robert PH Diaz Way,” also in Brooklyn) and Phife Dawg (“Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor Way,” in Queens), and in 2016 Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill renaming 1520 Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx “Hip Hop Boulevard.”
Now, the mayor will return to the Boogie Down for another special occasion: the official proclamation of “Global Hip Hip Day.”
On June 8th The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the office of The Bronx Borough President, and Hot 97 will proclaim the day at 1520 Sedgwick Ave, as well as formally unveil Hip Hop Boulevard in a street renaming ceremony.
“We are thrilled to unveil Hip Hop Boulevard at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx, the birthplace of hip hop,” Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr said in a press release. “The Bronx is an iconic, internationally renowned hip hop destination, the home of a once rebellious art form that has, over generations, become a global powerhouse. To designate this area as a landmark and celebrate this occasion with the pioneers who started it all— many of whom still hold close ties to this community— is a remarkable and historic moment for our borough.”
While this is a very admirable motion of the city, I actually hope that they properly honor DJ Kool Herc in some way, shape or form, preferably something that’s more than just a handshake, some pictures and a piece of paper with fancy font on it.
