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Hip-Hop Birthplace in Bronx Evades Rent Hike

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
By: Kenny Rodriguez

At least one building in New York is fighting off gentrification – the legendary Bronx apartment house where hip-hop was founded has been saved from a rent hike that threatened to evict its tenants.

Last year, residents reached out to DJ Kool Herc – recognized as the founder of hip-hop – after they learned that the building owner planned to cut its affordable housing program.

It was in this same building that Kool Herc first spun records and hosted block parties in the early 1970s, which would eventually lead to the birth of hip-hop culture.

Sen. Charles Schumer defended the building’s housing program, known as Mitchell-Lama, that offers such incentives as low-rate mortgages and tax breaks for renters.

“This building, which housed hip-hop’s founding father … is a New York treasure that must be preserved as a bastion of affordable housing,” Schumer said on Monday.

The 100-unit apartment building, located on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, is currently up for consideration as a national and state historic site.

(6) Comments | Post a comment »

Glad to be first on this topic, well if it was me i'll say please lets make good use of it........though checking what i'm doing right now, which is listening to hip-hop....that says it all, bx stand up

Posted by cool 1

I think they should protect that piece of history, every one is always looing to make more and more money. I am from the bronx and i know that area very well, the bronx has a lot of history why change that, be proud of what you have created, take a real good look at what it is today. The boogie dwn bronx in the house

Posted by black rose

I have never been there no will i ever prolly go there although i would like to at some point. I don't think gentrification is always a bad thing. Nor do i think these tenants should have to move. I don't however need to spell out the downsides to low-cost housing. As i said i don't personally know the area and won't try to make a judgement call on it. I do think everyone should have a nice happy home to live in, in a nice neighbour hood and if living at the 100-unit apartment building, located on 1520 sedgwick avenue that kool herc was raised at was like that well then rock the F*ck on. Also heritage buildings arn't always a good thing but this should be reconized.

Posted by theodoreunit

I been der and if you da right ppl its a real place its got a lot of history to it but do we honstly need another topic choise for history honstly but on da real dis wouldd bea real topic

Posted by yung-n-black

Make it a museum before it accidenty goes up in flames. You got to preserve these types of things before some rich person buys the land and tries to build condos on the site

Posted by captian slapa ho

i am with you hurk 100%!!!

Posted by kamelent