October 18, 2025
The Hip-Hop Museum held a Black Tie Gala to lift cash for the group and to honor choose Hip-Hop figures.
Because the Hip-Hop Museum readies to launch in 2026, Rocky Bucano, the CEO of the upcoming homage to Hip-Hop, held a fundraiser/gala that additionally doubled as an occasion to honor a number of esteemed people concerned within the style of Hip-Hop.
The Black Tie occasion happened at Cipriani Wall Avenue in New York Metropolis Oct. 15, as many followers of the style, artists, executives, and supporters gathered to rejoice the honorees of the night time. The people who have been celebrated included Slick Rick, Fats Joe, Kool DJ Pink Alert, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Sal Abbatiello, La Reezy, Golnar Khosrowshahi, Adam & Mindy Silverstein, Carl Heastie, and Andre Harrell (posthumously).
The gala happened with the anticipation of the Hip-Hop Museum’s opening, which is slated to occur in a couple of 12 months, with an October 2026 date pending.
The occasion started with the sounds of classic hip-hop from way back to the ’80s, with the choice reminding those that have been round on the inception of the style of how the sounds of the town have been earlier than the commercialization of Hip-Hop. As attendees vibed to the music and folks have been bumping into different hip-hop heads they could not have seen shortly, the ambiance was excellent, with no trace of “bougieness” from the eclectic and numerous crowd.
Luminaries of the tradition have been in attendance, like Massive Daddy Kane, Christopher Williams, Jeff Redd, Father MC, DJ Cassidy, Peter Gunz, The D.O.C., Kim Osorio, Reuben Diaz, Jr., Doug E. Recent, Nelson George, Mr. Cheeks (Misplaced Boyz), Grandmaster Caz (The Chilly Crush Brothers), Prime Minister Pete Good (third Bass), Paradise Grey (X-Clan), and so many others that everybody can’t be listed. A number of of the aforementioned artists grabbed the mic in celebration of the style.
When Yo-Yo took the stage to begin her duties as host of the occasion, the group was already pumped as much as proceed to rejoice the power of hip-hop. With a number of performers dancing and singing earlier than Yo-Yo’s entrance, the joy for the awards ceremony had reached a peak, much like the primary act at a live performance about to take the stage.
In fact, being that this was additionally a fundraiser, calls have been made for attendees to donate to assist with the development, improvement, and the whole lot related to the Hip-Hop Museum. Evidently, considered one of Queens’ favorites and arguably, the borough’s greatest, or no less than, most considerate lyricists, Nasir Jones, AKA Nas, who was in attendance, stepped up and knowledgeable the group that he was so moved by what he had already witnessed that he pledged $1 million to the museum.
As each honoree was introduced to the viewers as they acquired their awards, the electrical power continued late into the night time, even happening for no less than an hour previous the scheduled finish time. As a result of Hip-Hop power expressed all through the viewers, it felt just like the night time would by no means finish.
Kool DJ Pink Alert’s look and recognition for all he has performed for the tradition weren’t misplaced on him.
“This 12 months’s gala was subsequent stage because it reached greater & greater, resulting in the official opening of The Hip Hop Museum in 2026. I’m humbly honored to be acknowledged for my ardour for this tradition we name Hip-Hop! Thanks for receiving this award!”
The World’s Best Entertainer, Doug E. Recent, was ecstatic to current his buddy and rhyming accomplice, Slick Rick, along with his honor, as he additionally hosted the performances on that night time, particularly for the performers who repped Uptown Data for Andre Harrell.
“It was an evening to recollect! So many pals and so many nice reminiscences! And most of all, very honored to offer Slick Rick his award and to honor the reminiscence and legacy of Mr. Andre Harrell and Uptown Data! This museum goes to show individuals issues about hip hop they by no means knew!!”
With the promise of the subsequent gala being held on the accomplished museum, the anticipation of one of many biggest issues to occur to Hip-Hop appears like it’ll surpass no matter expectations the tradition has as we look ahead to the opening within the Bronx, residence of Hip-Hop.
Honorees and the awards they acquired on the gala:
●Andre Harrell—Founding father of Uptown Data & Former CEO of Motown Data, Legacy Award (Posthumous)
●Slick Rick— Hip Hop Legend & Storytelling Pioneer, Storytelling Vanguard Award
●Fats Joe— Leisure Icon & Entrepreneur, Folks’s Champ Vanguard Award
●Sal Abbatiello— Founder & CEO, Fever Enterprises, All of the Approach Up Award
●Adam & Mindy Silverstein— Philanthropists, One Love Philanthropy Award
● The Honorable Carl Heastie— Speaker, New York State Meeting, Changemaker Award
●Dr. Michael Eric Dyson— Writer, Professor, and Cultural Critic, Hip Hop Scholar Award
● Golnar Khosrowshahi— Founder & CEO, Reservoir, Blaze the Path Award
●Elizabeth Velez— President, The Velez Group, Basis to the Roof Award
●LaReezy— Artist & Cultural Voice, Subsequent Up Award
●Kool DJ Pink Alert- Legendary Hip Hop Deejay, Sound of the Tradition Award
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