Kamlager-Dove, Schumer, Johnson Introduce Resolution Celebrating Hip Hop

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY), and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced a bicameral, bicoastal resolution to recognize August 11, 2025 as “Hip Hop Celebration Day,” August 2025 as “Hip Hop Recognition Month,” and November 2025 as “Hip Hop History Month.”

“Hip Hop isn’t just about storytelling—it’s part of America’s story,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “From N.W.A. to Death Row Records to Kendrick Lamar, Los Angeles has long been pioneering—and at the top of—the rap game. I’m proud to introduce this resolution that honors the legacy of Hip Hop in Los Angeles and beyond.”

“In 1973, a back-to-school party in the Bronx spontaneously gave birth to hip-hop, a Big Bang moment in music that launched a movement that has spread all around the world and revolutionized American culture,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “Hip-hop became the voice of the marginalized, a poetic and hard-driving medium of truth-telling and pent up expression, an inimical part of the soundtrack to American life, and a driving force of creativity and joy and empowerment across the country.”

Leader Schumer continued, “As a proud New Yorker, I was honored to work arm-in arm with some of hip-hop’s giants like my friends KRS1 and DJ Kool Herc to ensure the birthplace, 1520 Sedgwick Ave, was preserved and celebrated. And now I am proud to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of hip hop, to designate August 11th as ‘Hip Hop Celebration Day,’ the month of August as ‘Hip Hop Recognition Month’ and the month of November as ‘Hip Hop History Month.’”

“Hip-Hop continues to evolve and expand because no boundaries can constrain human creativity,” said Rep. Johnson. “Beyond music, Hip-Hop embodies truth, ignites change, and moves us to dance. It's a soulful revolution that has not only revolutionized music but also visual arts, fashion, food, and more. I'm honored to stand with Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and Senator Chuck Schumer in celebrating Hip-Hop and its profound global impact.”

Since Clive “DJ Kool Herc” Campbell first took the stage in the Bronx in 1973, Hip Hop has exploded into a global phenomenon, overcoming stigmas to not only become the most listened-to music genre in the U.S. but also an integral part of American culture. Pioneered by Black artists, Hip Hop evolved from genres rooted in the Black American experience, such as jazz, blues, and soul, and fused with styles like rock and disco to captivate audiences both in America and around the world.

Over the years, Hip Hop has spread from New York to Los Angeles, Atlanta, and beyond, with artists infusing their individuality and regional flair to define distinct subgenres. Today, Hip Hop’s rhythmic beats and storytelling continue to inspire, challenge, and allow listeners to escape.

The resolution has been endorsed by Spotify, Live Nation Entertainment, Amazon, the Center for Hip Hop Advocacy, and the Digital Media Association (DIMA). The text of the resolution can be found here.

# # #