Aug. 1, 2023 By Anthony Medina
The Wu-Tang Clan will kick off the SiriusXM and Pandora music festival “For the Love: 50 Years of Hip-Hop” celebrating the golden anniversary of all things hip-hop at the Knockdown Center, located at 52-19 Flushing Ave., in Maspeth, on Thursday, Aug. 10.
Anyone who knows of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan would recognize their hit albums like Enter the Wu-Tang and Iron Flag. The hip-hop collective was founded in Staten Island in the early 1990s and comprised 10 members (RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, and the deceased ODB) according to SiriusXM.
In support of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, the venue will also host the “For the Love: Community Giveback” portion of the event earlier in the day, which allows local students, families, and businesses to participate in family-friendly activities and performances.
The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens members in attendance will receive backpacks filled with school supplies, which will be available to customize on-site. Additionally, the club will receive a check from SiriusXM and its partner Cricket, who also sponsored the community giveback event.
Breakdancing performances, live double-dutch, and a SiriusXM live interaction broadcast of SiriusXM Hip-Hop Nation’s Gray Rizzy and The Heat’s DJ Steel will happen later in the afternoon.
Concertgoers should expect to hear SiriusXM personalities Mina SayWhat, Torae, Coach PR, D-Stroy, Bugsy, DJ Superstar Jay, DJ Wallah, and DJ Taj hosting the celebration. BIPOC-owned and operated food trucks are expected on site.
Afterward, concert doors open at 8 p.m. for fans to watch the Wu-Tang Clan takes the stage for a historic night at the performance venue.
The event will be open to SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners 21 years old or older. An RSVP is required for an opportunity to attend the in-person show. Admission is on a first-come first-served basis.
“Hip-hop is not just music, it’s a culture that has defined and redefined our society through the years. Wu-Tang Clan has contributed so immensely to the hip-hop community, making a lasting impact on so many people’s lives, and we are honored to share this momentous occasion with these music pioneers and have them take the SiriusXM stage to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop,” said Joshua “J1” Raiford, vice president of music programming at SiriusXM/Pandora.
Photo courtesy of SiriusXM