According to CNN, Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed off on a whopping $3.75 million grant that will be used for the construction of the Universal Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx.
The funds are connected to the state’s package of economic and community development funding.
Construction on the site is set to take place this summer.
Currently, The Universal Hip Hop Museum is temporarily set up as a pop-up shop located at the Bronx Terminal Market. But the official location is an empty parking lot in the 50,000-square-foot Bronx Point, which is a newly developed landmark.
Bronx executive director of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, Rocky Bucano spoke on the upcoming project with CNN stating, “We knew it was important because the Bronx is where hip-hop started. It’s crazy to think of how hip-hop – which has such an influence on pop culture, advertising, politics – doesn’t have a place to call home.”
The museum’s mission statement reveals to its future customers that it “celebrates and preserves the history of local and global hip-hop music and culture to inspire, empower, and promote understanding.”
Chuck D of the legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy will serve as the Chairman of the Celebrity Board for the Universal Hip-Hop Museum, Kurtis Blow will serve as Chairman of the Board and Big Daddy Kane, Fab Five Freddy, Grandmaster Flash, LL Cool J, and Rakim will serve as cultural ambassadors.
“We want to empower, inspire, and engage the community,” he said. “Hip-Hop has touched every aspect of modern society and it’s important for the community to know that it was created by people who looked just like them,” Bucano added.
As of right now, the museum is scheduled to open in 2023.
The museum’s official twitter announced to its followers that while tickets are free, donations are welcomed.
“The [R]evolution of Hip Hop is a preview of what #HipHop’s museum will look like in 2023. Come see 4 yourself! Tickets are free, but reservations are required & donations R welcomed.”
Those interested can get tickets as well as donate at uhhm.org
