brooklyn
Page: 2
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Variety / Getty
Kendrick Lamar is coming to Brooklyn. This time, as a resident with a new pricey penthouse acquisition in one of the borough’s most attractive neighborhoods.
According to reports, Kendrick Lamar is making a home in Brooklyn in a dazzling new penthouse on the waterfront of the borough. The Grammy Award winner is the latest resident of the Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a luxury condominium development at 90 Furman Street just blocks from the iconic bridge. The unit was reportedly purchased through a limited liability company entitled Dogg Pound Buildings for $8.6 million, and the deal to close was agreed upon earlier this month. The artist also owns properties in his native California.
The new condo is one of 106 units in the Pierhouse, which was built in 2015 and spans two buildings. The pied-à-terre Kendrick Lamar has purchased has four bedrooms throughout its three levels. The space also has a private rooftop with clear views of Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River as part of the unit’s 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. Designed by Marvel Architects, the complex also allows residents to enjoy the amenities of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which includes access to the elite Bamford Wellness Spa chain.
Kendrick Lamar’s acquisition marks the end of a months-long search by the “Money Trees” rapper. It was first reported that he was touring the highly popular Brooklyn Heights neighborhood in August by the New York Post, which stated that he checked out the Quay Towers nearby and the Olympia condominium complex in the Dumbo area. He’s now part of a dazzling list of celebrities who have decided to make Brooklyn home including Zendaya, Matt Damon, along with Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, but he’s been a recurring fixture in the borough – he chose an intimate venue for a surprise pop-up show after his Barclays Center concert last year.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Andrew Lichtenstein / Getty
The New York City subway system continues to prove to be a dangerous place as two people were shot Tuesday (Nov. 28), in a moving train.
According to the New York Daily News, two men including a 17-year-old straphanger fell victim to gun violence while on a Manhattan-bound C train that was pulling into the Ralph Avenue station in Bedford-Stuyvesant around 5:40 p.m. Luckily for the victims, the injuries were non-life threatening as the teen was shot in the hand while the other man took a bullet to the ankle.
The New York Daily News reports:
The gunman, described by police sources as a heavy-set young man about 16 to 22 years old, took off when the train rumbled into the station.
Medics took the teen victim to Bellevue Hospital and the older victim to Kings County Hospital in stable condition.
Manhattan-bound C trains ran express from Broadway Junction to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts. while police investigated the shooting, the MTA said.
Man you just can’t get around in New York City these days. Whether it’s on the train or bandidas sticking up yellow cab drivers, you’re probably better off taking a Citi Bike or something.
No arrests have been made yet, but if you’re taking public transportation, keep your head on a swivel out there cause things are bad, b.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
The Carter family has another reason to be proud. JAY-Z and his mother were honored at the annual Brooklyn Public Library gala for their philanthropic efforts.
The New York Times is reporting that the mogul and his mom were both given a special distinction in their beloved borough. They were honored for their joint efforts to bring balance to America’s educational system via their Shawn Carter Foundation. On Monday, October 2 the invite only event was held at the main branch of the facility. While Gloria Carter was not in attendance the “Empire State Of Mind” MC was joined by Desiree Perez, senior executive at Roc Nation. Also in the house were other high profile names including Gayle King, Mayor Eric Adams, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Clara Wu Tsai who co-owns The Brooklyn Nets while Questlove provided the music. JAY-Z was introduced by Senator Chuck Schumer who made multiple references to Hov’s biggest songs.
“As Senate majority leader, I got 99 problems,” joked the politician. “By the way,” Schumer said, “I live across the street and I wake up every morning reading your lyrics,” referring to the rapper’s lyrics that brand the outside of the library. Wearing a black tuxedo JAY-Z took the stage and made it clear he was humbled by the “Book Of Hov” exhibit. “I thought maybe it was like a small room, and it was more than what I deserved,” he explained. “I walked in, and I saw this incredible display. And my [grandmother] Hattie White got to see it,” he added. “She just turned 98 years old, and she’s seen a lot of things. That experience was just overwhelming”.
According to the website the Shawn Carter Foundation provides “college scholarships for young people who have talent and drive but due to mitigating circumstances their grade point averages fall below the minimum to qualify for support at other foundations and institutions.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Facebook / facebook
A Brooklyn teen has been arrested and charged as an adult in the murder of dancer O’Shae Sibley, and it has been deemed a hate crime.
On Saturday (Aug. 5), it was announced at a press conference held by the New York Police Department that they had detained the individual suspected in the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley. NYPD Assistant Chief Joseph Kenny said that the suspect, who is 17, is being charged as an adult with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
Related Stories
Kenny said that the suspect lives and goes to high school in Brooklyn and explained the reasoning behind the charges. Surveillance footage at the Coney Island Avenue gas station on July 29 showed Sibley dancing and vogueing as his friends were refueling their car before being confronted by another group of men in the parking lot. “They began to use derogatory names and homophobic slurs against them,” he said of the events leading up to the altercation. One person approached Sibley, stabbing him in his rib cage before fleeing in an SUV. “They also made anti-Black statements,” Kenny said.
“Parents lost a child, a child to something clearly that was a hate crime,” said Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference, which was held outside of the gas station in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. “It wasn’t as though someone turned themselves in out of the goodness of their heart,” he continued, crediting law enforcement and community involvement for the arrest. “It was out of the proper investigation and coordination that led to no other thing to do but to turn themselves in.”
The death of Sibley comes as attacks against those from the LGBTQ+ community have increased rapidly, sparking outrage from that community as well as protests and rallies. “He was doing nothing more than voguing and dancing,” said NYC Center for Black Pride chief Lee Soulja Simmons on Saturday. “He did not deserve to die in that way.” Simmons also said that Black queer people were emotionally struggling with Sibley’s killing. Representatives from Muslim community organizations were also present at the press conference to lend their support, as the suspect reportedly said at the outset of the incident: “I’m Muslim. I don’t want this here.”
Under the law in New York State, the suspect faces a mandatory sentence of 20 years to life if he’s to be tried as an adult. The Brooklyn District Attorney could change the charges once they take over.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Marcus Ingram / Getty
Wyclef Jean will be presiding over the upcoming Caribbean Music Awards, which will be held in Brooklyn this month.
The organization behind the Caribbean Music Awards, Caribbean Elite Group, made the announcement of that Wyclef Jean would be the host of their awards gala last Thursday (July 27). The awards show will be held in the heart of New York City’s Caribbean community, at Kings Theatre in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn.
In an appearance on NBC’s Today Show, The Carnival artist spoke about getting the opportunity to host the gala and cited the overwhelming success of the Verzuz battle between Bernie Man and Bounty Killa, which took place in Jamaica back in 2020. “[The success of that Verzuz] reminded us how much we love the Caribbean,” he explained. “For me what’s exciting is that Caribbean culture is shared, whether it’s fashion or music.”
A reference was made to a previous hosting gig by the rapper and singer at the 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards, which were held in Stockholm, Sweden. There, he made his entrance on an elephant and hopes to match that amount of grandeur at this event. “I want the entrance to be grand and very carnival-like,” he said.
The event will see artists receive awards in 26 categories spanning several genres including reggae, soca, zouk and kompa in addition to “Album of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” “Producer of the Year,” and “Video of the Year.” Michel Montano, the lauded soca singer and producer from Trinidad and Tobago, is slated to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his career, which includes ranking in the top spot on Billboard’s reggae charts with his G.O.A.T. album.
The Caribbean Music Awards will be held Thursday, Aug. 31. For those unable to attend, it will be livestreamed on YouTube beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Tickets are available at the gala’s website.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Astrida Valigorsky / Getty
AFROPUNK announced their lineup for their annual festival held in Brooklyn, with Jazmine Sullivan and Flying Lotus as headline performers.
On Thursday (June 22), the annual festival celebrating Black culture in an unapologetic form, announced its full lineup for the weekend in addition to a new location. “AFROPUNK isn’t just about the music, it’s a community of people who reject societal norms and embrace their true selves, no matter what anyone else thinks,” their announcement reads. Grammy Award-winning R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan and producer/rapper Flying Lotus will be the main headliners for the event. Other artists on the bill will include Joey Bada$$, Vince Staples, Baby Tate, Sudan Archives, Madison McFerrin and Durand Benarr, and more.
The festival will also have a new location. Normally held for years at Commodore Barry Park in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, this year it will take place at the Skyline Drive-In, located on the waterfront in the Greenpoint neighborhood a few miles away. Organizers say that the theme for this year is “Circus of Soul,” where the space will be turned “into a carnivalesque exhibition that spotlights all aspects of Black creativity.” The festival will take place on August 26 and August 27.
AFROPUNK Brooklyn will also feature the Spinthrift Market, which will showcase local Black vendors and their wares in addition to the Bites and Beats concession area. The new festival shows how AFROPUNK has evolved within the past few years, expanding to hold festivals in Brazil, France and South Africa in addition to the “Black HERSTORY Live” event done in partnership with Lincoln Center this past February. The event honoring Black women for their contributions featured India.Arie, UMI and Danielle Ponder among the performers taking part. Tickets for AFROPUNK Brooklyn 2023 are available now at their website.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: D Dipasupil / Getty
One of the culture’s greatest commentators is going be immortalized in his hometown.Reggie “Combat Jack” Osse is getting a street named after him in Brooklyn.
As spotted on HipHopDX the late podcaster is going to live forever in New York City. On Friday, June 16, A-King, the co-host to The Combat Jack Show, took to social media to announce the forthcoming commemoration. According to the post, Bergen Street between New York Avenue and Brooklyn Avenue will soon be named after Reggie “Combat Jack” Osse.
“Family, Friends and Community at large, please join us to a momentous occasion as we come together to celebrate the passing of a City Council resolution that will forever honor the legendary Reggie “Combat Jack” Osse,” his caption read. “His immeasurable contributions to our community and the world of hip-hop deserve to be recognized and celebrated in a special way.”
A-King went on to detail why Jack is deserving of the honor. “Reggie “Combat Jack” Osse was not only an influential figure in music and media but also a passionate advocate for justice, culture, and the power of storytelling. With his pioneering work as an iconic podcast host and attorney, he touched the lives of countless individuals and brought marginalized voices to the forefront.”
Osse is largely considered a pioneer of the Hip-Hop podcast genre but got his start in the industry as an entertainment lawyer. During his legal eagle days he worked with several prominent talents including Loon, Jay-Z, and Usher. His stellar run in the podcast game came to an abrupt end when he announced he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. “In 7 years of podcasting, I’ve never missed an episode,” he wrote. “I got hit with some real life sh*t. I was recently diagnosed with Colon Cancer. I was rushed to the hospital, had some pretty severe surgery.” He continued. “I’m on the mend right now. I’m about to jump on this journey to health with chemo and alternative medicine. “Take care of your health. Your boy aint going nowhere though. We’re going to keep doing this. Keep rocking’ with us.”
Combat Jack passed on December 20, 2017. The street naming ceremony will take place Thursday, June 22 at City Hall at 1PM.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Al Pereira / Getty
The longest-running free performing arts Celebrate Brooklyn! festival unveiled its lineup of artists for the summer and a special celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary.
On Wednesday (May 3rd), BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn and the Prospect Park Alliance announced their full lineup for their 45th season of concerts. Each of the free shows (with a few benefit concerts) will be held at the historic Lena Horne Bandshell in the borough’s venerated park. Featured artists that will be performing at Celebrate Brooklyn! throughout this summer include Corinne Bailey Rae, Taj Mahal, Robert Glasper, NxWorries featuring Anderson .Paak and many more.
Related Stories
In addition, there will be a special two-day concert held in conjunction with BRIC celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. The lineup for that event has yet to be announced. Those interested can RSVP early at the concert series website.
“BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park is a beloved flagship event and a clear sign of summer for our community,” said Morgan Monaco, President of Prospect Park Alliance in a press release. “Music and performing arts are what help keep us thriving in good times and in bad, and I’m grateful that the park serves as an important inspiration for artists of all kinds. The festival has brought a wide range of free music, performances, and family programming to Brooklyn’s Backyard and we look forward to coming together this season with the many diverse communities of Brooklyn.”
“BRIC is about community, art, and culture and there is no greater example of that than BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!,” said BRIC President Wes Jackson in the same press statement. “For 45 years our team has brought free and affordable programming to Prospect Park, and low-cost media education to the people of Brooklyn. We’re honored to serve our neighborhoods in this way every summer, and we look forward to 45 more years at the Bandshell and beyond. Thank you to our friends and partners at the Prospect Park Alliance and the Parks Department. I’ll see you out there.”
For those seeking to RSVP for the free shows and purchase tickets for the benefit concerts, the Celebrate Brooklyn! website is now up and running.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: The Center For Black Literature / The Center For Black Literature
The Center For Black Literature will focus on the success of Black authors in speculative fiction for this year’s national convention to be held later this month in Brooklyn, New York.
For those fans of Black literature and the tradition of speculative fiction, the upcoming 2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium will satisfy their desires. The conference, organized by the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York will be held beginning next Friday (March 31st) and Saturday (April 1st) at the academic institution. The theme of the event this year is Diasporic Visions: Celebrating Black Speculative Fiction.
In accordance with the theme, the three panels slated for the conference will hone in on the various factors of speculative fiction and Afrofuturism employed by Black authors across the diaspora. There will be a slew of notable writers who are attending, which include Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Tim Fielders, and Christine Taylor-Butler among others. The penultimate event of the conference will be the NBWC Honorees Spotlight, which will be a conversation between authors and the honorees for 2023, Sheree Renée Thomas and Jewell Parker Rhodes. Both women will receive the Octavia E. Butler Award, named after the award-winning late author and pioneer of the genre.
The conference will also feature a selection of other events to take place before the symposium, aimed at students interested in writing speculative fiction from the primary school level to the high school level. Booksellers will also be in attendance on-site and virtually throughout the conference.
The NBWC was first founded by the literary giant John Oliver Killens in 1986 at the City University of New York school and has been held on the last weekend in March since its inception. From that point, it has become a well-regarded event for emerging Black writers and those of note, spanning all generations.
For more information on tickets for the conference, you can check out their website here.