This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Cradle of hip-hop, the Bronx is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a movement born at the foot of its red brick HLMs. The opportunity for a rapidly changing New York neighborhood to also make people forget its bad reputation.
For once, Yankee Stadium will not vibrate to the rhythm of the exploits of Aaron Judge, star player of the Bronx Bombers, but to the sound of the greatest legends of rap. Invited to celebrate 50 years of hip hop, Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and others are expected in the lair of the New York Yankees for a big concert on August 11th. The date owes nothing to chance. It was on August 11, in fact, that hip-hop was born – officially – during an improvised block party in the humid heat of the summer of 1973 by a platinist of Jamaican origin, Clive Campbell, more known as Kool Herc.
Five decades later, in the working-class neighborhood of Morris Heights in the West Bronx, the HLM where it all started has hardly changed. At 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, which overlooks Interstate 87, a plaque was simply added in 2016 by former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to affix the name “Hip Hop Boulevard” to the mythical address. That same year, the nearby Cedar Playground, where Kool Herc moved his legendary 1973 party to accommodate ever-increasing crowds, was completely renovated.
A coat of arms to restore
But there is still a lot of work to be done to allow the Bronx to enjoy its heritage. Announced a long time ago, the museum project dedicated to hip-hop culture — the first of its kind in North America — has accumulated numerous ignition delays. It is in 2024 that the Universal Museum of Hip-Hop (Universal Hip Hop Museum) should finally open to the public, in the South Bronx. The stakes are high and go beyond the framework of an urban culture that has steadily gained in popularity in 50 years of existence.
With its museum dedicated to the five disciplines of hip-hop (rap, breakdance, platinism, graffiti and vocal percussion), the unloved of the five New York boroughs hopes to restore its image. Long plagued by crime and poverty, the Bronx has suffered greatly from its bad reputation. “When I started Hush Tours in 2002, we started from 59th Street in Manhattan because people were afraid to get to the Bronx on their own,” says Debra Harris, who organizes tours with her company. guided tours of the birthplaces of hip-hop.
“I’ve always wanted to foster a better understanding of this culture and develop tourism beyond Times Square,” continues the Bronx native. In her mission, Debra Harris surrounded herself with rap pioneers, such as Kurtis Blow and Grandmaster Caz, to frame her visits. For his part, Terrence Thomas has teamed up with his neighborhood friends Mott Haven, Alfredo Anguiera and Junior Martinez, to create Beatstro, a speakeasy bistro paying homage to hip-hop, from the kitchens to the walls adorned with graffiti and clichés. by photographer Joe Conzo, a great witness to the cultural effervescence of the Bronx in the early 1980s.
A spirit to preserve
One of a kind, the aptly named Beatstro has received honors from the Michelin Guide, which awarded it a Bib gourmand for its value for money. Quite a reward for a restaurant that opened in 2018, in a neighborhood that has not always been talked about for its good restaurants. “Not many people ventured into these streets five years ago,” recalls Terrence Thomas. “But the neighborhood has changed quickly. Some of our guests sometimes even find it hard to believe they are in the Bronx. »
The real estate boom that has taken over Brooklyn and Harlem has prompted investors to look into the cradle of hip-hop. From Mott Haven to Hunts Point, the South Bronx has begun its transformation, while crossing its fingers to escape the pangs of gentrification. Recently, a lottery was organized to offer moderate access tickets to rental condos in the future complex to house the Universal Museum of Hip-Hop on the banks of the Harlem River. Building on its heritage while preserving the cosmopolitan spirit without which none of this would have happened is the next challenge facing the Bronx.
Where to sleep in the Bronx?
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.
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2023-07-08 11:45:14
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