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This weekend’s highly anticipated Harlem Festival of Culture (HFC) in New York City has been canceled due to the heat advisory the city is currently under. The three-day festival was scheduled to kick off Friday July 28, but organizers made the decision to nix the event out of safety concerns and the advisement of public officials.
The HFC’s official statement cited President Joe Biden’s suggestion that citizens “listen to public officials and stay indoors” in light the dangerously excessive heat and poor air quality gripping parts of the nation.
“After strong consideration to this severe weather impacting New York City, it is with a heavy heart that we have made the tough decision to cancel this weekend’s Harlem Festival of Culture with public safety in mind,” reads part of the official statement announcing the cancelation. “Our primary concern for the Festival was to put on an enjoyable and safe experience for all, and with the current forecast, it does not support a safe festival experience for attendees, workers or partners. While this untimely announcement changes our planned activities, this decision could potentially save lives.”
Friday’s headliner was A$AP Ferg along with performers that included Bell Biv Devoe, Cam’ron and Doug E. Fresh. Saturday’s headliner was Teyana Taylor while Wyclef Jean was scheduled to hold down Sunday, with cite of the HFC being Randall’s Island. Hip-Hop icon DJ Red Alert was scheduled to be honored on Friday. Per Weather.com, the weekend forecast in New York City includes highs in 90’s and heat advisories that include “tot temperatures and high humidity [that] may cause heat illnesses to occur.”
Refunds will be issued and more information can be found at www.harlemfestivalofculture.com.
See the full statement below.
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Yusef Salaam, a member of the Exonerated Five, won his primary election to the New York City Council in a strong fashion.
As the results of the Democratic primary for the City Council’s 9th District came in at 11 P.M. on Tuesday night (June 27th), the 49-year-old author and justice activist was leading state Assembly members Inez Dickens and Al Taylor with more than 50% of the vote. Dickens and Taylor netted 25% and 15% of that vote, respectively. Kristin Richardson Jordan, the incumbent who dropped out of the race unexpectedly but was still on the ballot, came in last but earned 10% of the vote.
Salaam gathered with his supporters at Harlem Tavern, entering to raucous applause. In a speech he gave to the crowd which was covered by Jeff Coltin of City & State NY, he said: “What has happened on this campaign has restored my faith in knowing that I was born for this. I am not a seasoned politician. So therefore this was not politics as usual.”
In being one of the five Black and brown teens – the others being Antron McCay, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – falsely accused and convicted of assaulting and raping Trisha Melli in 1989, Salaam’s experience served as fuel for his life as a justice advocate after he and the others were exonerated after another man confessed to the crime. That story drew many in the Harlem district to back his campaign. The win guarantees that Salaam will serve on the City Council for two two-year terms, as there is no Republican candidate slated for the district.
He referenced that situation and the 1989 newspaper advertisement by Donald Trump calling for the death penalty in their case, although he deigned to call out the former president by name. “This campaign has been about those who have been counted out, those who have been forgotten,” Salaam said in his speech. “I am here because, Harlem, you believed in me.”
There was the possibility of Salaam potentially going through a second round of counting votes due to New York’s ranked-choice voting system, but the lead that he holds makes it mathematically impossible for Dickens and Taylor to overcome. The 73-year-old Dickens, who scored the only endorsement by Mayor Eric Adams in any City Council election this primary, reportedly called Salaam to concede later that evening.
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Diddy is about to make a grand homecoming to Harlem. He will be honored with the Icon Award at The Apollo Theater.
As spotted on HipHopDX the Bad Boy Entertainment mogul is about to be receive a distinction very close to his heart. On Monday, June 12 Diddy will be the recipient of this year’s Icon Award at their 2023 Spring Benefit. As expected the “Act Bad” rapper took to social media to ensure the culture knows he is back in New York City. “Wassup Harlem, I’m coming Home,” he in a since delete Instagram video. “Monday, I’ll be there, getting that Apollo Icon Award. And you know it’s up. So if you in the city all the Harlemites, ya’ll know I ain’t got everybody’s number but I plan on seeing you, and drinks is on Diddy.”
Six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will also be awarded the Impact Award. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, there will be special appearances from trailblazers including rapper and formidable actress MC Lyte, three-time Grammy award winning artist, producer and writer Wyclef Jean, and for a mainstage set and to helm the DJ booth at the event’s infamous afterparty will be DJ D-Nice. Musician, composer and producer Ray Chew returns to the Apollo stage as Music Director for the 12th year.
All proceeds will support the non-profit organization’s year-round, world-class artistic, education, and community programs, as well as its commitment to articulating and projecting the African American narrative using arts and culture, and creating a 21st century performing arts canon. The Apollo has been a place of dynamic energy and forward motion for more than 89 years. This season’s programmatic theme is aptly themed “The Next Movement!” and has presented signature programs, audience favorites, and exciting new works from artists pushing the boundaries of their art forms – from music and dance to fashion and film, and beyond.
Photo: Bernard Smalls
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MA$E has been recognized by his community in a profound way. He has been given his own day in Harlem.
As spotted on Vibe Magazine the rapper was honored on Tuesday, January 24 in front of the world famous Apollo Theater on 125th Street. New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley presented Betha with the proclamation that recognized his “outstanding achievements and enduring contributions” throughout entertainment and culture. The “Feels So Good” MC showed his appreciation for the honor. “I want to thank all of you for coming out here today, but most of all, I want to say this because this really matters in our community: a win only feels great when you win with family,” he said. “Today, I have my whole family here — my wife of 22 years and a bunch of people in the crowd, a bunch of great artists. Thank you, and thank you Harlem for making me great” he said.
The former Bad Boy Entertainment star also went on to specifically give thanks to his spiritual advisor who is largely credited for inspiring him to leave his Rap career behind. “And most of all, my pastor is here. This is the guy that prayed for me when I left Hip-Hop, so y’all all wanna know who changed me? This is the guy that changed me.” This weekend MA$E, Jadakiss and Cam’ron are set to perform at The Apollo Theater on Saturday, January 28 in a special show that aims at celebrating their individual discographies, collaborations and overall contributions to the Rap genre. This is their first official outing since the trip cancelled their “3 Headed Monster Tour” that they originally announced back in September.
While it is unclear why the tour was cancelled, MA$E went on to imply Diddy had a hand in it. “Also to my #1 hater BTS make sure you pull up since your trying to stop everything I do BTS. We know whats going on…but its not gonna stop nothing. Cant Stop Wont Stop.” You can see MA$E post ceremony below.
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