Roy Wilkens Park in Jamaica played host to one of the Rise Up NYC concert series events Saturday and Sunday. This concert celebrated hip-hop, with performances by Ja Rule, The Lox and Rakim.
This concert represented the second in the series of concerts, with the first one having occurred July 27-29 at Wingate Park in Brooklyn. The Rise Up NYC concert series was originally announced by Mayor Eric Adams on July 27. All concerts are free and scheduled to occur across each borough of New York City from July 27 to Sept. 12.
The main purpose of the concert series is to encourage New York City residents to explore the city and reconnect with each other after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are inviting all New Yorkers to come together to celebrate culture, music and unity as New York City rebounds from the pandemic,” Mayor Adams said when he announced the series on July 27. “Our city overcame many challenges over the past few years, but Rise Up NYC will allow New Yorkers to enjoy one another and the city we call home once more. Music and the arts were a lifeline for us all during the last two years and I am here to say that New York City supports its local artists and communities.”
Queens native Ja Rule acted as the headliner for the Rise Up NYC concert at Roy Wilkens Park. His 1999 debut album, “Venni Vetti Vecci,” hit number three on the Billboard 200 chart, jumpstarting his rapping career. Some of his most popular songs include “Always on Time” with Ashanti and “Put it on Me.”
The Lox entered the rap scene in 1997. The group, comprised of members Sheek Louch, Styles P and Jadakiss, saw their debut album, “Money, Power & Respect,” reach platinum in 1998, with it peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and number one on Billboard’s top R&B/hip-hop albums. The group’s follow-up album, “We are the Streets,” reached gold, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200 chart and number two on Billboard’s top R&B/hip-hop albums.
Rakim exploded onto the New York rap scene in 1986 with his debut album, “Paid in Full.” The album helped to revolutionize the globally expanding art form of hip-hop. He has garnered accolades from his peers and his public with his intellectual content and uncanny innovation.
