On August 11th, 2023, The Hip Hop Museum threw a block party at Mill Pond Park in the Bronx to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.

We couldn’t miss the celebration! Thrive Artists Michela Muserra, May Bukowski and Kadeem Phillip led interactive painting experiences for visitors while six iconic NYC Graffiti Artists painted six murals visualizing Hip Hop’s past, present and future. Additional Thrive Teaching Artists and some of our summer interns engaged the public and provided support.

The Hip Hop Museum featured Thrive’s role in the block party in their October 2023 newsletter! Here’s an excerpt:

Throughout the afternoon and early evening were mural making, eight in total, each depicting elements and moments during 50 years of Hip Hop. The artists who blessed us with their work – done in person and on site that day – are Tats Cru’s BG183, Bio, and Nicer, Lady Pink, Queen Andrea, Michela “Miki Mu” Muserra x friends, Will Power, and May Bukowski x friends. Their work is shown in order above, via photos taken by Thrive Collective.

Jeremy Del Rio, Thrive Collective Executive Director, told us, “Hip Hop artistry beautifies public spaces and brings art to the masses. The first element of Hip Hop that captivated the public’s imagination was Graffiti’s visual artistry.” That people surrounded the murals to speak with the artists, and joined Thrive Collective teaching artists Randy Mason, Kevin Toledo, Kadeem Philip, and Andrew “Pips” Lowndes, until sunset confirms Jeremy’s observation.

Check out the full story by Kate Harvie for the museum here, and keep scrolling to see highlights from our social media, like our NYC and RHYME Director Randy Mason providing the beat with the Cajón for a spontaneous breakdancing cypher.

Thank you, The Hip Hop Museum, for your feature! It was an honor and pleasure to commemorate 50 years of Hip Hop with you.