Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx getting $5 million boost in federal funds
NEW YORK -- Hip hop will forever be memorialized in the Bronx, thanks to a new museum in the community where it was founded.
And now, that museum is getting a big endorsement to the tune of $5 million.
"This is a down payment because we are planting the seeds for the next generation," Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said.
The federal grant will go toward completing construction of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, funding K-12 educational programming, and building affordable housing in the surrounding neighborhood.
"From the local jobs stimulating the economy, the intersection of education, culture, and hip hop. Making sure our young people have a level playing field, that we balance those scales of justice, so that we are training the next artists, and producers, and DJs, etc. So we know our young people are destined for success," Gibson said.
On Sunday, some of the OGs of hip hop like Grandmaster Flash, and G. Simone came out to celebrate the massive win for the Bronx.
"Rap is something we do. Hip hop is something we live," rapper KRS-One said.
Especially the children of the Bronx.
On behalf of hip hop's educational piece, this is so important," KRS-One said.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Jamaal Bowman helped secure the funding.
"Hip hop is such a deeply integral part of New York culture, which has been home to some of the genre's influential and pioneering artists," Gillibrand said. "The $5 million that we were able to secure will not only preserve and celebrate local and global hip hop, it will also honor the music's influence."
The museum broke ground in 2021 and is scheduled to open next year at Bronx Point.