Hip Hop artist Nas (via Forest Hills Stadium)
Aug. 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Hip Hop artist and former Queens resident Nas will return to the borough to perform a concert next month benefitting a local nonprofit.
Nas will host and perform at the “Concert to Feed NYC” at Forest Hills Stadium on Sept. 23. Proceeds from the concert will go to City Harvest, the city’s largest food rescue organization.
The fundraiser comes at a time when many New York City families are struggling to put food on the table in the midst of the pandemic.
The Grammy-winning rapper — who was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City — released his newest album “King’s Disease II” last week.
The Forest Stadium concert will be Nas’ first live performance in his home borough in nearly three years.
“I am looking forward to returning to stage for a performance in my hometown—especially since it supports a cause I care deeply about,” Nas said in a statement.
The concert will help support City Harvest’s mission to ensure that no New Yorker is left hungry.
The number of hungry New Yorkers surged across the city during the pandemic.
More than 1.5 million New Yorkers now experience food insecurity — a 38 percent increase over pre-pandemic figures. Furthermore, 1 in 3 children in NYC are now food insecure, according to City Harvest.
The nonprofit has stepped up it efforts during the crisis.
City Harvest has distributed more than 190 million pounds of food during the pandemic — double the average amount during pre-pandemic times — to hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries across the five boroughs. The organization rescued the unused food from restaurants and retailers.
“The Concert to Feed NYC will help us rescue and deliver more food for the many New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables because of the pandemic, many for the first time,” said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. “We are so grateful to have a dedicated and passionate friend in Nas who will create such a special evening to support our work. Together, we can feed our city.”
To support the effort, Forest Hills Stadium is offering the venue free of charge and clothing brand DKNY, an event sponsor, will create exclusive merchandise for the concert, with sales benefiting City Harvest.
“I’m a huge Nas fan and a big believer in the important work City Harvest does,” said Rob Pohly, founder of Samlyn Capital, who will underwrite all venue-related expenses for the event. “I’m excited to be a part of this incredible evening of awesome music, all to help feed New Yorkers in need.”
The Concert to Feed NYC will have seats available for 4,000 guests. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. on ForestHillsStadium.com. Tickets range in price from $75 for general admission to $500 for VIP experiences.
The event organizers have not announced any opening performers yet.
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