The Bronx gets a bad rap, but it’s low key lit. As a BX native, I’ve legit grown accustomed to the verbal attacks from residents of the other four boroughs, as well as non-New Yorkers.
I’ve been told that the Boogie Down Bronx doesn’t compete with the rest of NYC, because of things like socioeconomics, lack of enough G.O.A.T. rappers, distance from downtown and much worse. Despite what’s been said, the Bronx is not unlike the rest of New York City, where culture, gentrification and change are unavoidable.
The borough that bred the likes of Colin Powell, Sonia Sotomayor, Desus and Mero, Jennifer Lopez and many, many others is increasingly attracting interest from hometown heroes and outsiders. Still regarded as a cultural hub, the Bronx has within the last few years hosted Yams Day, Swizz Beatz’s Bacardi-sponsored No Commission art fair, the Greatest Day Ever festival and other major events. New developments, interesting restaurants (check out: Maisonetta) and more are continually popping up around the borough that houses the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, the Bronx Brewery and Yankee Stadium.
Since the Bronx gets a bad rap, here is a short list of things that make the Bronx low key lit.
New wave of rappers
The birthplace of hip-hip is still a breeding ground for talent. OGs like Fat Joe, Swizz Beatz, DJ D-Nice and Big Pun aren’t the only rap stars that have called the Bronx home. Contemporary hit-makers such as Cardi B, A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Lil Tjay also rep the BX borough hard.
The Compound
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Described as “an outlet for all forms of art with a focus on underrepresentation,” The Compound serves as an art gallery and creative agency. The creative space founded by Set Free Richardson and Yasiin Bey, has been covered by The New York Times, Billboard and Adweek.
Universal Hip-Hop Museum
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Hip-hop started in the Bronx, so it’s only right that the genre’s official museum is coming to the NYC borough. The Universal Hip-Hop Museum, which recently secured a $5 million donation from Microsoft, will commemorate hip-hop music, culture and history when it opens in either 2023 or 2024.
If the Bronx still isn’t in your weekend plans, try these NYC weekend trip ideas instead. Also, cop some Literie NYC candles for familiar city smells like bodega coffee.
Photo via Shutterstock
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