by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton
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 passed off at Cipriani Wall Road 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 had been celebrated included Slick Rick, Fats Joe, Kool DJ Purple Alert, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Sal Abbatiello, La Reezy, Golnar Khosrowshahi, Adam & Mindy Silverstein, Carl Heastie, and Andre Harrell (posthumously).
The gala passed off with the anticipation of the Hip-Hop Museum’s opening, which is slated to occur in a few yr, 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 had been round on the inception of the style of how the sounds of the town had been earlier than the commercialization of Hip-Hop. As attendees vibed to the music and folks had been bumping into different hip-hop heads they might not have seen shortly, the environment was excellent, with no trace of “bougieness” from the eclectic and numerous crowd.
Luminaries of the tradition had been in attendance, like Huge 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 gang 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 principle act at a live performance about to take the stage.
In fact, being that this was additionally a fundraiser, calls had been made for attendees to donate to assist with the development, improvement, and every thing related to the Hip-Hop Museum. Evidently, certainly one of Queens’ favorites and arguably, the borough’s finest, or not less than, most considerate lyricists, Nasir Jones, AKA Nas, who was in attendance, stepped up and knowledgeable the gang 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 occurring for not 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 Purple Alert’s look and recognition for all he has finished for the tradition weren’t misplaced on him.
“This yr’s gala was subsequent degree because it reached increased & increased, 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 Biggest 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 associates and so many nice recollections! And most of all, very honored to present Slick Rick his award and to honor the reminiscence and legacy of Mr. Andre Harrell and Uptown Data! This museum goes to show folks 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 should surpass no matter expectations the tradition has as we stay up for 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 Method 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 Purple Alert- Legendary Hip Hop Deejay, Sound of the Tradition Award
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