I wanted to visit all of the main Rap spots in New York, borough to borough to feel where Hip Hop really originated from. The recent renaming of certain streets to our most beloved rap artists just signifies the impact Hip Hop has had on a global scale and I wanted to celebrate that. Hence I went on my own tour with a friend (shoutout to Soopafly!).
Walking around the city of New York wearing my Nas ‘Hip Hop is Dead’ Tshirt with an image of Nas placing a rose on the grave of rap surprisingly sparked a lot of positive conversations by fellow Nas and Rap fans in general. This was the one city I knew I would meet strangers that could instantly relate to my love for 90’s Rap music. And I met a lot of beautiful people who also pointed out I was cool for doing this little tour. It was a special feeling especially as Nas’ new album ‘The Lost Tapes II’ had just been released, so that was my soundtrack for the day.
THE BRONX
1540 Sedgwick Avenue now also renamed to ‘Hip Hop Boulevard’ marks the spot where the first ever Hip Hop party was held by DJ Kool Herc. This spot is known as the birthplace of Hip Hop and where it all began.
I can’t visit New York without passing through Bronx River, home of the international president of the Mighty Zulu Kingz – Alien Ness. A true New Yorker, for me, Ness is the personification of Hip Hop and I love our quirky but real conversations. I picked up a copy of his book, ‘The Art of Battle – Understanding Judged bboy battles’ I had previously given my copy away to a friend years ago so I was happy to have this back in my collection. A must-have for all bboys and bgirls. You can purchase your copy online now.
Soaked up the vibes in the Bronx River!
QUEENS
Just on the corner of 21st Street and 40th Avenue across the street from the Queensbridge Houses, you’ll find the Nas ‘Queensmatic’ mural. Every time I’m here someone else is also taking a photo, sometimes a quick chat about our favorite tracks. Such a great feeling.
Stepping into Queensbridge Houses I was greeted with smiles and people shouting ‘QB’. Obviously having seen my Nas Tshirt they knew why I was here. There is lot of pride at the long legacy of rappers who have come from Queensbridge housing: CNN, Mobb Deep, Cormega, Roxane Shante and of course Nas just to name a few. I had to play ‘Queensbridge Politics’ as I passed through, where Nas breaks down the long list of rappers from QB in no particular order. On this track, he also sadly touches on the mural of Prodigy (R.I.P) from Mobb Deep being defaced several times. This mural would have most definitely made the cut for my walking tour if it was still around. R.I.P Prodigy still always in our hearts.
Listening to ‘Vernon Family’ I walked by 4016 Vernon Blvd where Nas used to live.
Chillin in QB we started talking to Mike Wallethead who grew up with a lot of QB rappers including Nas. A really friendly and loving individual we got talking history and got some inside stories of what it was like growing up in Queensbridge. He liked our energy so much he ended up gifting us with these Queensbridge Tshirts!!! Now that was special.
Jamaica Queens
Home of rappers such as G-Unit’s 50 Cent South Jamaica Queens is a great place to shop if you want some 90’s gear, Timberland boots, Air Jordans, FILA all the brands. Also a nice selection of Hip Hop Tshirts but strangely no artists from Queens!
The final stop in Queens was to pass through Flushing Meadows Corona Park to see this Unisphere sculpture. It’s on the cover of Nas’ upcoming children’s book: ‘I know I Can’. Inspirational. The world truly is yours.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn, the home of the Notorious B.I.G who is now no longer with us R.I.P. No one can deny his legacy on Hip Hop and as a testament to that, the street on the corner of Fulton St and S.T James Place is now known as, ‘Christopher ‘Notorious B.I.G’ Wallace Way’. Walking around this area you’ll also find many murals of Biggie.
This one is the biggest mural located at 1091 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216-1301. It’s literally the size of this house. It was due for demolished but under pressure to save it, it has been kept. A bit hard to find as it is behind an overgrown tree but worth finding. I especially liked the sign next to it which forbids ‘photoshoots’ and ‘hanging out’.
Whilst in Brooklyn it’s also worth checking out the mural of Old Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan on 126 Putnam Ave (Franklin Ave), Brooklyn, NY 11238. The mural is of ODB’s first solo album cover which was based on his welfare card, ‘Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ which also featured the track, ‘Brooklyn Zoo’.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat in Brooklyn check out this branch of Sweet Chick in Prospect Heights. A chicken and waffles restaurant co-owned by Nas there is also a vegetarian chicken option of us non-meat eaters. You’ll find these neon lights behind the bar quoting Biggie: ‘It’s All Good Baby Baby!’
STATEN ISLAND
Staten Island is the home of the Wu-Tang Clan. Having recently viewed, ‘Of Mics and Men’ a huge mural showed up just next to Park Hill stating, ‘Wu-Tang is for the Children’, Just around the corner is the new street sign for ‘Wu-Tang District’.
Harlem
Hip Hop and Activism go hand in hand and for me, Harlem is one place in New York where you can really feel this, culturally and historically.
Crossing Malcolm X Blvd to the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market to the Apollo theatre (a bit of a walk) but I always find clothing and jewelry for all my activism needs!
Manhattan
There is a lot going on in Manhattan too but I have to give props to Kid Glyde for opening up his new dance studio for the ‘Kids Breakin’ League’ in Hamilton Heights. Check it out at KBL Studios
Dance studio, 735 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York, New York 10031.
A bonus video of some of the talent you can witness on the New York Subway!
