The State of New York has reportedly made a hefty donation toward making the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) a reality. According to The New York Post, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday (December 19) the state awarded a $3.5 million grant to the cause.
The museum’s director, Rocky Bucano, explained the museum will celebrate the four elements of Hip Hop culture: breaking, graffiti, DJing and MCing.
“The museum is part of the renaissance of the Bronx,” Bucano said. “The Bronx is coming back, but the museum will be of the people and for the people.”
The UHHM will occupy 50,000 square feet in the residential and retail project by L+M Development Partners called Bronx Point, which is located north of the 145th Street bridge along the Harlem River in the Bronx.
Hip Hop pioneer and UHHM co-founder Kurtis Blow told HipHopDX, “It’s a blessing. We are getting closer to our goal of making this dream a reality.”
The masterminds behind the project have been working on the endeavor for years. Last year, it was announced Public Enemy legend Chuck D will serve as Chairman of the Universal Hip Hop Museum’s Celebrity Board.
The $80 million Universal Hip Hop Museum is scheduled to open in the South Bronx in 2023, commemorating Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. The official groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in summer 2020.
The Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud 2 announce that Chuck D will serve as the Chairman of the UHHM’s Celebrity Board. “The credibility he brings to our team is mammoth”-@KurtisBlow1, 12/19/18, @HipHopDX. #HipHop #UHHM #UniversalHipHopMuseum #PublicEnemy https://t.co/UIpLQYv6mA pic.twitter.com/jxy5nViAlJ
— Universal Hip Hop Museum (@uhhmuseum) December 20, 2018
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