MC Lyte will host the inaugural three-day event on Randall’s Island
Teyana Taylor, Coco Jones, Wyclef Jean, Muni Long, Bell Biv DeVoe, Cam’ron and Doug E. Fresh are among the legacy and contemporary artists who will be performing at the Harlem Festival of Culture (HFC). The HFC will host their inaugural event this summer starting from July 28th to July 30th at Randalls Island.
The cultural celebration is a continuation and re-imagination of the original Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. The original festival was a pivotal moment in Black history that fell into obscurity for over 50 years.
Co-founders Musa Jackson, Nikoa Evans and Yvonne McNair have a series of events planned for it’s inaugural year. The three-day event will feature indoor and outdoor music concerts, influencer dinners, moderated discussions and film screenings.
“For this inaugural year, we were very thoughtful and intentional in building what is an amazing lineup that aptly reflects the incredibly unique legacy that is intrinsic to the village of Harlem as well as the breadth and brilliance of Black music and culture,” said HFC co-founder Yvonne McNair. “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.”
The performance slate for the festival includes Teyana Taylor, Wyclef Jean, Adam Blackstone, Remy Ma, Eric Bellinger, Jozzy, MAJOR., Ma$e, Ro James, and Tink.
HFC will also present the second annual Black Independence Awards (June 17). The awards honor the impactful cultural, social and economic contributions being made by Harlem’s leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and creators. The 2023 nominees and special award recipients will be announced in early June.
Festival Locations
July 28th – 30th
Concerts will be held at the following locations:
Randall’s Island – 20 Randalls Island Park, New York, NY 10035
Apollo Theater – 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027 (intimate concerts)
The festival will run each day on Randall’s Island from 3 to 11 p.m., Apollo Theater 7 to 11 p.m., and after parties from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
General admission and VIP tickets are on sale at harlemfestivalofculture.com. Harlem residents are eligible for special ticket discounts.