Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop

In the summer of 1973, Bronx DJ Kool Herc set up a pair of turntables and a mixer to spin tunes at a backyard block party. Herc’s Back to School Jam is now commonly considered to be the birthplace of Hip-Hop. Fifty years later, the seismic impact of that show has completely redefined popular culture. From August 9–12, 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 us 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.
 

Upcoming Hip-Hop Week events

August 09 at 11:30 am

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week
Kids, Teens, and Families

When the Beat was Born: Dance Storytime with TweetBoogie and DJ Go BIZZY!

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop

Lincoln Center Presents
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

August 09 at 11:30 am

The Garden at Damrosch Park

Join the staff of the Jerome Robbins Dance Division and for a storytime focusing on the music and dancing styles of Hip-Hop!

August 09 at 6:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

We Out Here

Lincoln Center Presents
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

August 09 at 6:00 pm

The Dance Floor

Street and club dance styles will be on display as the invited Top 8 competitors will go toe to toe for the cash prize.

August 09 at 8:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

J.PERIOD Live Mixtape: Gods & Kings Edition

Featuring Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Special Guests

Lincoln Center Presents

August 09 at 8:00 pm

Damrosch Park

Acclaimed DJ/Producer J.PERIOD presents a multimedia “mixtape” tribute to Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary, performed live with Rakim and Big Daddy Kane.

August 10 at 7:00 pm

Summer for the City
Social Dance
Hip-Hop Week

Ladies of Hip-Hop Dance Collective

Lincoln Center Presents

August 10 at 7:00 pm

The Dance Floor

Join the all-female collective Ladies of Hip-Hop for this summer celebration of Hip-Hop dance culture with DJs, a dance lesson, and performances!

August 11 at 7:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

Jazz Está Morto: Arthur Verocai with Orchestra

Lincoln Center Presents

August 11 at 7:00 pm

Damrosch Park

Arthur Verocai, accompanied by a full orchestra, performs his classic ‘72 album in its entirety. Hosted by Adrian Younge Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

August 11 at 10:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

DJ Spinna & DJ Cocoa Chanelle

Lincoln Center Presents

August 11 at 10:00 pm

The Dance Floor

Strut your stuff at a Silent Disco in honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop with DJ Spinna and DJ Cocoa Channelle!

August 12 at 11:00 am

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week
Kids, Teens, and Families

Pre-show Family Workshop

Lincoln Center Presents

August 12 at 11:00 am

Hess Grand Promenade, David Geffen Hall

Join an interactive, creative Pre-Show Family Workshop led by Lincoln Center Teaching Artists! Open to visitors of all ages and ability levels.

August 12 at 11:00 am

Summer for the City
The Art of Wellbeing
Hip-Hop Week

Every Body Move!

Lincoln Center Presents
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

August 12 at 11:00 am

LeFrak Lobby, David Geffen Hall

Join us for an uplifting social dance class celebrating wellness through movement. Connect with your body, mind, and community through dance!

August 12 at 12:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week
Kids, Teens, and Families

The Art of the Cypher

A Party Featuring Rap’s Next Generation

Lincoln Center Presents

August 12 at 12:00 pm

Hess Grand Promenade, David Geffen Hall

Our city’s talented teen rappers gather for Cyphers–improvisational circles where rappers share their freestyle skills.

August 12 at 5:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

POP UP: Step it UP

Lincoln Center Presents

August 12 at 5:00 pm

Hearst Plaza

The winning Step It Up NYC competition teen dance group premieres their final dance routine at Lincoln Center!

August 12 at 6:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

Sainted: A Trap Choir Experience

Featuring DJ Fannie Mae

Lincoln Center Presents

August 12 at 6:00 pm

The Dance Floor

The trap choir offers audiences an eclectic range of gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, and trap music, paying homage to the Southern Black Church experience.

August 12 at 8:00 pm

Summer for the City
Hip-Hop Week

Rakim + Rapsody & Special Guests

Lincoln Center Presents

August 12 at 8:00 pm

Damrosch Park

New York's legendary lyrical master, the microphone fiend Rakim, headlines a memorable celebration of fifty years of Hip-Hop.

General Admission

Enjoy Hip-Hop Week for FREE with first-come, first-served General Admission. Advance reservations are not required; just show up! Learn more »

Fast Track

In addition to General Admission, we’re offering a FREE Fast Track option for several Hip-Hop Week events, giving ticket holders priority entry. Please check the dedicated event page to confirm. Learn more »

Explore more

About Summer for the City

The city’s largest free arts festival features hundreds of events and thousands of artists in celebration of the vibrant cultural communities of NYC. Learn more »

Plan your visit

For the Summer for the City campus map, accessibility, venues, dining, ticketing, and parking, click here »

Accessibility

Our approach to accessibility mirrors our commitment to transform performing arts spaces to be more inclusive of our audiences’ identities and access needs by design, not as an afterthought or add-on. Learn more »

Full Summer for the City calendar

Check out hundreds of outdoor and indoor events and performances for all ages, including social dance, music, dance, theater, film, and participatory workshops. View full calendar »

Thanks to Our Supporters

 

Park Lane New York is Lincoln Center's preferred accommodations for Summer for the City



Amazon logo