More than 4,000 people gathered at the Brooklyn Public Library last weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. "Night in the Library: The Philosophy of Hip-Hop," brought together artists and thinkers for an all-night exploration of the genre.
Attendees enjoyed keynote addresses by hip-hop legend KRS-One, as well as the Hon. Dr. Gloria Carter of the Shawn Carter Foundation in conversation with radio personality Angie Martinez. The evening also included a close reading of rap lyrics by MSNBC host Ari Melber, and several lively debates about the past, present and future of hip-hop.
“Hip-hop has outgrown anything imagined, as it continues to evolve culturally and musically,” said LeBrandon Smith, founder of Really Just Hip-Hop. “Arguably the most influential art form in the world, it has permeated all parts of society including fashion, media, sports, language and even politics. This ubiquity has created a world where Hip-Hop means different things to people. The combination of celebrating this artform with the institution that helped cultivate my love for reading in my birthplace of Brooklyn is special to me.”
The evening was co-curated by Smith, Kelly Harrison and April R. Silver, founder of AKILA Worksongs, who curated the Dilemma Series, a seminar-style discussion on the past and future of hip-hop.
"Night in the Library: The Philosophy of Hip-Hop" featured a number of Roc Nation artists, including GRAMMY-nominated rapper Rapsody, Johnny Cocoa, HDBeenDope and Rueben Vincent.
Speakers included Dapper Dan, Harlem Fashion Legend; Mitchell S. Jackson, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer; Emerson Sykes of the ACLU; Hit rapper Topaz Jones; Naima Cochrane, Founder of Hip-Hop Sermon; and Bill Adler, Def Jams’ first publicist.
The event also featured performances by the National Double Dutch League, film screenings, dancers and choreographers, and sound vests by Not Impossible Labs, which allow non-hearing people to feel music.
This year, libraries across Brooklyn will celebrate the legacy of hip-hop through programs that include learning to DJ, graffiti art, breakdancing, spoken word, poetry, fashion, movies and music.
