Res. No. 346-A

Resolution recognizing the contributions of Hip Hop to arts and culture by designating August 11 as Hip Hop Celebration Day, August as Hip Hop Recognition Month, and November as Hip Hop History Month annually in the City of New York.

By Council Members Williams, Riley, Stevens, Restler, Joseph, Farías, Abreu, Louis, Ossé, Rivera, Sanchez, Nurse, Brewer, Cabán, Avilés, De La Rosa, Krishnan and the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams)

Whereas, DJ Kool Herc introduced his innovative DJing skills on two turntables in the Bronx on August 11, 1973, officially giving birth to the music of Hip Hop culture; and

Whereas, Rappers added their poetry to the DJs’ beats, giving the crowd a look into the often hard realities of their lives and their hopes for the future; and

Whereas, Masters of ceremonies (MCs) commanded the mics to reach out to the audience to keep the parties going, before adding their own freestyle talents to the mix; and

Whereas, Break-boys (b-boys) and break-girls (b-girls) created a new style of dancing and brought it to the streets, making breaking an integral part of the culture; and

Whereas, Graffiti writers decorated urban spaces in their own unique styles, sometimes risking their own safety and the wrath of law enforcement and property owners; and

Whereas, Hip Hop culture produced artists who honed their talents in theater and literature, telling their stories of race, class, gender, activism, and empowerment; and

Whereas, Hip Hop preaches, through some of its greatest voices, the values of community, freedom, justice, peace, self-respect, and respect for others; and

Whereas, Hip Hop began with performers and supporters in the Black and Caribbean communities in New York City (NYC), including especially NYC’s Puerto Rican community, but expanded rapidly to embrace people of many races, ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses; and

Whereas, Hip Hop performers have built a multi-billion dollar industry, which contributes to the health of NYC’s economy; and

Whereas, Hip Hop performers are well known for giving back to the NYC communities they come from, often providing charitable contributions and words of support to NYC residents in need, including to NYC’s schoolchildren; and

Whereas, In 2021, the United States (U.S.) Senate passed Resolution 331, designating August 11, 2021 as Hip Hop Celebration Day; the month of August 2021 as Hip Hop Recognition Month; and the month of November 2021 as Hip Hop History Month; and

Whereas, Hip Hop culture, on the occasion of its official 50th anniversary in 2023, continues to thrive throughout NYC, across the U.S., and around the world; and

Whereas, The designation of annual celebrations to commemorate the early days of Hip Hop culture in NYC honors the positive impact that Hip Hop has had and continues to have on NYC communities and commerce; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes the contributions of Hip Hop to arts and culture by designating August 11 as Hip Hop Celebration Day, August as Hip Hop Recognition Month, and November as Hip Hop History Month annually in the City of New York.

LS #10354

6/21/2023

RHP