The inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture will take place this summer with MC Lyte as the event’s host, but she won’t be the only star gracing fans with her presence during the three-day festival. The star-studded lineup of artists taking the stage includes Muni Long, Bell Biv DeVoe, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Doug E. Fresh and Harlem natives Cam’ron, Teyana Taylor and Ma$e.
Adam Blackstone, Eric Bellinger, Jozzy and MAJOR. are also set to perform, as are Ro James, Tink and Wyclef Jean. There will be a special DanceHall Linkup portion, curated by Estelle, featuring Sister Nancy, Nadine Sutherland, Wayne Wonder, Lumidee, Rupee, Serani and Mr. Killa.
“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 Harlem Festival of Culture takes place July 28-30 at Randall’s Island, offering intimate concerts in partnership with the Apollo Theater, interactive art installations, a culinary court and the Mart 125 Marketplace, which reimagines the hub of Black-owned businesses once located on 125th Street.
“As a native New Yorker, I’m honored to host the very first Harlem Festival of Culture,” Lyte said in a statement. “[HFC] has planned something special that I think everyone – whether they’re from around the corner, across the country or around the world – will enjoy.”
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