Mayor Eric Adams on Friday directly compared a ceremony welcoming luminaries of hip-hop to Gracie Mansion, celebrating the genre’s 50th anniversary, to late former Mayor David Dinkins hosting deceased South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela in the city over 30 years ago.
During the Aug. 11 Gracie Mansion event, Adams made the comments before issuing an official proclamation coining the day — thought to be when hip-hop was first invented in 1973 — “Hip-Hop Anniversary Day.” He gave the proclamation standing alongside legends of the genre such as MC Sha-Rock, DJ Kool Herc, Kool DJ Red Alert and Ralph McDaniels.
