BMI and Stella McCartney celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop at her SoHo boutique during New York Fashion Week. Located at 112 Greene Street, the store was previously the landmark location of the historic Greene St. Recording studio. The Greene Street Soirée presented by BMI, LVMH and Stella McCartney, brought together voices bridging music, fashion and art and featured performance by next-gen rapper Kaliii, a special guest appearance by Lil’ Kim, music by DJ Will, and murals by Thrive Collective.
BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill, alongside EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg, SVP Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Sandye Taylor, VP Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton and Creative Director, Atlanta Reggie Stewart, presented Lil’ Kim with a unique piece by acclaimed artist DL Warfield to celebrate her part in the legacy of Hip-Hop.
“BMI was thrilled to collaborate with Stella McCartney and LVMH in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and its undeniable influence on music, culture, fashion and beyond,” said Sandye Taylor. “We were honoured to have two BMI songwriters, the legendary Lil’ Kim and breakout artist Kaliii, with us to celebrate this historic milestone and highlight the impact that women have made on the genre. The party was epic, with music, fashion and philanthropy coming together to ensure Hip-Hop’s legacy for generations to come.”
“It was an honor for Kaliii to be invited by BMI to perform at such a prestigious event commemorating 50 years of Hip-Hop,” said Kaliii’s manager, Chanté Knox. “Thank you, BMI,” added Kaliii, “for trusting me to perform! I really enjoyed myself and look forward to our continued work in the future.”
Paying tribute to Hip-Hop’s American roots and its influence on global culture, the party honoured the genre’s creative talents past and present, while raising funds for the Universal Hip-Hop Museum. This is grounded by Stella’s own love for and heritage in music, and she was thrilled to learn of the 112 Greene Street space’s heritage when she chose it as her New York City flagship in 2011.
Greene St. Recording was an iconic Hip-Hop studio from the early 1970s through its closure in 2001, with legendary acts such as Run-DMC, LL Cool J, The Black Eyed Peas, Beastie Boys, Mos Def and more having recorded there. Imagery and vintage vinyl records honoring its storied history were displayed in the boutique. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails and champagne provided by Moët Hennessy.
