Fat Joe, Wyclef Jean, Cam’Ron, Ma$e and other big names will kick off Harlem’s culture festival later this year. The inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture (HFC), will take place at Randall’s Island Park in New York from July 28th-30th.
Alongside the aforementioned artists, the likes of Teyana Taylor, Muni Long, Bell Biv DeVoe will take to the stage across the three day extravaganza. Other names include Adam Blackstone, Eric Bellinger, Jozzy, MAJOR., Remy Ma, Ro James and Tink. The complete lineup was announced yesterday (May 23rd).
The new event was directly inspired by the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. This culturally significant event saw the likes of Nina Simone, B.B. King, Sly and the Family Stone, Chuck Jackson and many more perform. It informally became known as the ‘Black Woodstock’, due to the hippie festival of the same name also taking place that August.
HFC co-founder and producer Yvonne Mc Nai discussed the upcoming event in an official statement, saying it highlights “the breadth and brilliance of Black music and culture.”
“Ultimately, HFC is our love letter to Harlem, and we’re excited to grow it into a landmark cultural experience that encapsulates all the things that make Uptown the nexus of innovation, cultural expression and a place of true community-building,” McNai wrote.
Tickets for the Harlem Festival of Culture are on sale now.