In 1958, the Iconic: A Great Day in Harlem photo was taken. It featured some of the most iconic jazz musicians of the day. In 1998, A Great Day in Hip-Hop was shot. It showcased some of the most prominent rappers of the era. On Sunday, October 15th, 2023, at 2 p.m., the Mount Vernon Public Library hosted a seminal event. It’s called “A Great Day in Mount Vernon.”
Community leaders, civil servants, clergy, athletes, celebrities, and students came out and were part of this historic event. Photographer Dennis Manuel of AFROPUNK fame will be leading the photography campaign. This was a day of healing, fellowship, and celebration! It is also the opening event of the Hip-Hop 50 series being produced by the Mount Vernon Library, culminating in its “Beats That Made Hip Hop” function that will be hosted at the library on November 5th.
The event was organized by Curtis Sherrod of Rapacon. All images by Renee Ham Yearwood
Photo bottom right – Mrs. Cora Brown, VP of GMC Entertainment and the wife of Grandmaster Caz (in the Hip Hop 50 shirt), and Gail Hall aka DJ Flame of the Mercedes Ladies. [Renee Ham Yearwood]
Pictures of Curtis Sherrod with MVPL Personnel and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard [Facebook]
Before the samples, before the remixes, there were the beats that made a trillion-dollar industry called Hip Hop! Join us as we celebrate the 1st generation DJs and the breakbeats that changed the world. Come to the Mount Vernon Public Library, on Sunday, November 5th, from Noon til 9 PM for the Hip-Hop 50 event of the year; The Beats That Made Hip-Hop!
