KRS-One, Fat Joe, MC Lyte and various other Hip Hop legends celebrated the genre’s 51st birthday by going on a “Walk This Way” march through the Bronx this past weekend.
Joined by the likes of Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Caz, Master Gee, Grandwizzard Theodore and MC Sha Rock, the rap icons marched in support of Hip Hop culture and to promote good health and non-violence in urban communities on Sunday (August 11).
The group were also joined by members of the public who were witness to speeches given throughout the day, including one from DMC.
“We’re going to show you how to survive, strive and be alive,” the Run DMC legend said. “We created Hip Hop so we didn’t have to glorify or celebrate all the negativity that is attacking and prevalent in our communities. We are the solution.
“The Walk This Way March. Why? Because we want to show you there is a way because we are the way.”
KRS-One also emphasized the importance of the march to AllHipHop, saying: “With a healthy respect for our victorious past and an eye toward our glorious future, it is clear that only we have taken care of us, only we can take care of us, and only we will take care of us.
“Peace, love, unity, and safely having fun amongst ourselves; these are the practices we need for our next 50 years to be even more victorious than the last. We owe this to our future.”
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After the march, the Blastmaster paid tribute to those who attended on Instagram, writing alongside pictures from the day: “Thank you to everyone who walked and rallied with us from The Birth Place Of Hip Hop to Cedar Park to Crotona Park in the Bronx [fire emoji] This concludes our Hip Hop 50th Year Anniversary, Happy Hip Hop 51!”
Fat Joe added in his own post: “Happy bday Hip Hop the Big 51 Today i was amongst Super Heroes marched from the Birthplace of Hip Hip to my hood Crotona Park @teacha_krsone @mclyte @kurtisblow so many Legends.”
MC Lyte also celebrated the festivities, saying: “I had the fortunate opportunity to spend some time with the @teacha_krsone this past weekend. I visited his show at Lincoln Center and he came through for my show in Coney Island!!! I then met him and the entire BX crew at 1520 Sedgwick and Marched through Hip Hop’s Beginnings.
“All of this on Hip Hop’s 51st Birthday!!! Nothing like spending time where it all manifested. I am grateful!”
