Jay-Z to Curate, Headline Philly Music Festival
Hello, Philadelphia! Jay-Z has been bigging up his borough of Brooklyn for some time now (and more recently, its — and his — new basketball team), but now he's set to spread love the Philly way. On Saturday, Roc Nation leaked a press release promising a "major announcement" from Hov and the mayor of Philly today. And last night, the New York Times had the scoop: Hov will be "curating" and headlining a two-day music festival in the City of Brotherly Love.
The first annual Budweiser Made in America music festival will bring as many as 28 acts to Philly's Fairmount Park on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. The event, which will be produced by Live Nation, is set to be formally revealed at a press conference with Jay-Z and Mayor Michael A. Nutter today, Monday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. on the steps of the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, home to the world-famous statue of Rocky, whom Hov has cited for inspiration several times in his rhymes.
Jay will be the headlining performer, and he'll also be responsible for selecting a diverse roster of “rock, hip hop, R&B, Latin and dance” acts, according to a news release from its organizers. No other performers have been announced yet, but considering Jay makes albums with Kanye West, hangs out with Coldplay's Chris Martin and is married to Beyoncé, excuse us for having sky-high hopes.
An unspecified portion of the festival's proceeds will go to local non-profits via the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Tickets will go on sale May 23 at ticketmaster.com and livenation.com. Stay tuned for more details as they're announced.
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(Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)