The Universal Hip Hop Parade (UHHP) is an annual

cultural Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human Society, societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, and habits of the ...

event held in the historically Black

neighborhood A neighbourhood (British English, Irish English, Australian English and Canadian English) or neighborhood (American English; see spelling differences) is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town, suburb or rural area, ...

of Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, on the Saturday before the anniversary of Marcus Garvey's birthday each August 17. The parade is a reminder that Marcus Garvey himself also used popular culture as a tool to empower people and encouraged the growth of Black institutions. The parade is the world's longest celebration of

Hip-hop culture Hip hop or hip-hop is a culture and art movement that was created by African Americans, Latino Americans and Caribbean Americans in the Bronx, New York City. Hip hop culture is characterized by four key elements: rapping, DJing and turntabli ...

. It covers all the traditional elements of Hip hop including rappers,

break dancers Breakdancing, also called breaking or b-boying/b-girling, is an athletic style of street dance originating from the African Americans, African American and Puerto Rican Americans, Puerto Rican communities in the United States. While diverse ...

, singers and actors performing both on floats and on foot. Additionally,

graffiti artists Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...

and deejay's perform at different locations along the parade route. The parade also presents other examples of the vibrant artistic and cultural life of the community including

stilt walker Stilts are poles, posts or pillars that allow a person or structure to stand at a height above the ground. In flood plains, and on beaches or unstable ground, buildings are often constructed on stilts to protect them from damage by water, wa ...

s, motorcycle &

van A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a pickup truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car. There is some varying in the scope of the word across th ...

clubs, graffiti banner displays, marching bands, sound trucks,

dancers Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire ...

and more. Additionally Hip-hop legends, elected officials,

community activists A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, tow ...

and legendary MC's have participated. The parade also serves to display the emerging

Bedford Stuyvesant Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst t ...

, including its arts, culture and growing commercial district to the residents from other neighborhoods of New York City as well as other

visitors Visitor, in English and Welsh law, is an academic or ecclesiastical title. Visitor or Visitors may also refer to: Geography * Visitor (mountain), a mountain in eastern Montenegro * Lake Visitor, a mountain lake in eastern Montenegro Literature * ...

to the area. Local organizations showcase their artistic creativity, membership and colors while promoting their services, events and products. Neighborhood businesses and institutions along the route play music and distribute giveaways to help create a festive environment. Residents and visitors alike are urged to participate and join the parade procession.

History

The Universal Hip Hop Parade was founded by Jeffery Kazembe Batts, Charles Barron, Freedom Williams and a host of activists in the fall of 1999 to celebrate the African American

social activist roots of

hip-hop culture Hip hop or hip-hop is a culture and art movement that was created by African Americans, Latino Americans and Caribbean Americans in the Bronx, New York City. Hip hop culture is characterized by four key elements: rapping, DJing and turntabli ...

. It is an outgrowth of the work of an earlier group, the Universal Nubian Association (UNA). Organizers come from across the New York metropolitan area and have agreed to organize the UHHP in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. In 2007, The Parade Made a Major Transition with Making the Mover and Shaker Out of Bed Stuy Brooklyn Mike Hollywood Christie aka Dj Dr Hollywood at the Helm and He took the Organization to New Heights with Monthly Open Mic's and Helping the Parade Reach its highest viewing numbers to date. Mike Hollywood Christie was the Parade Chairman from 2007 - 2011 and August 2013 - March 2014. In addition to running the parade itself, the

nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

group Universal Hip-Hop Parade Foundation, Inc. also organizes forums, concerts, open-mike's, rallies, teach-ins and parties throughout the year.10th Congressional District Candidates,Two Sides of the Same Coin
The foundation is funded through private donations and grants including the Greater New York Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administrated by the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

References

External links

website of the Universal Hip-Hop Parade Foundation, Inc.UHHP Events Calendarcurrent (2010) 11th Annual Universal Hip-Hop Parade pageUHHP on FacebookUHHP YouTube Channel
* ttps://www.angelfire.com/electronic/negroworld/arts7.html Universal Hip Hop Parade 2K3 {{DEFAULTSORT:Universal Hip Hop Parade Festivals in New York City Culture of New York City Parades in New York City Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn 1999 establishments in New York City Recurring events established in 1999 Hip hop festivals African Americans in New York City

History

See also

References

External links