Hip-hop’s story is finally getting the home it deserves and Nas is helping to build it. The rap icon and Resorts World New York City have pledged a combined $2 million toward the ongoing construction of The Hip Hop Museum, set to open its doors in 2026 in the Bronx — the birthplace of the genre that changed global culture.
Originally envisioned in 2015, The Hip Hop Museum broke ground in 2021 with pioneers like LL Cool J and Grandmaster Flash in attendance. Despite delays and funding setbacks, the project is now gaining momentum again. Thanks in large part to this new commitment from one of hip-hop’s most enduring voices and one of New York’s biggest gaming and entertainment investors.
“Building this hip hop museum is something our culture has needed for a long time… It’s powerful to see a space being created to preserve that history and to educate and inspire the next generation” said Nas.
“Being able to contribute alongside Resorts World to help bring this vision to life is an honor. This museum stands as a reminder of where we came from, and a celebration of everything hip hop continues to be” he added.
A Cultural Homecoming In The Bronx
The Hip Hop Museum, located at 610 Exterior Street, sits just steps away from Sedgwick Avenue which is widely recognized as hip-hop’s birthplace. Once complete, the museum will feature interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and a 300-seat theater, offering visitors an immersive journey through the movement that reshaped music, fashion, art, and language.
At its core, the museum represents more than nostalgia. In fact, it’s an educational and economic anchor for the Bronx community and an institution dedicated to preserving the innovation, rebellion, and creativity that defined hip-hop’s rise from block parties to Billboard charts.
Nas: Bridging Legacy And Leadership
The $2 million commitment was made during The Hip Hop Museum’s 2nd Annual Benefit Gala on October 15th at Cipriani Wall Street. For Nas — a 17-time Grammy nominee whose career has spanned decades of evolution in hip-hop — this contribution feels deeply symbolic. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queensbridge, Nas has long served as a lyrical historian of the culture. Now, he’s helping to ensure its physical preservation.
This move also deepens Nas’ existing partnership with Resorts World, which began earlier this year as part of a joint bid for one of New York’s upcoming downstate casino licenses. The collaboration aims to blend entertainment, economic empowerment, and community development. Further, extending hip-hop’s spirit of innovation into tangible progress for New York City.
Resorts World’s $2 Billion Community Vision
Resorts World’s pledge to The Hip Hop Museum aligns with its broader $2 billion community benefits initiative tied to its proposed $5 billion casino redevelopment project. The plan includes funding for affordable housing, a sports and media complex, educational initiatives, and philanthropic programs designed to uplift local communities.
By supporting The Hip Hop Museum, the company not only honors New York’s creative roots but also underscores hip-hop’s continued role as a force for cultural and economic change.
The Future Of Hip-Hop’s Past
Set to open in 2026, The Hip Hop Museum will serve as a living monument to 50 years of global influence from the early Bronx pioneers to modern-day innovators. With Nas’ leadership and Resorts World’s investment, the project is once again moving full speed ahead, ensuring that the story of hip-hop is not just told but enshrined.
“Hip-hop has always been about building something from nothing. Now, we’re building something that will last forever” Nas said.
