For more than 50 years, talented individuals have brought hip hop to life from the Bronx to Brazil and back again. And this year, the genre is celebrating its monumental fifth decade. In honor of this Golden anniversary, MusiCares® and Vivid Seats are joining forces to support the humans who make hip hop happen.
Hip hop has quickly become one of the most important and influential music genres of all time, if not the most important, but the community, like many others, was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a $1.5 million commitment, Vivid Seats is working with MusiCares to support those behind the music, including artists, stagehands, makeup artists, bus drivers and songwriters. They all deserve support to continue their artistry both on- and off-stage.
Hip hop may be one of the most profound cultural forces in our lifetime, but it wouldn’t be possible without ensuring safety, well-being, and equity for those who make it — and with Vivid Seats’ help, MusiCares is determined to lead that charge. MusiCares, a partner of the Recording Academy, is the leading music industry charity, supporting industry professionals in their times of need. Humans of Hip Hop will partner with hip hop leaders to fully understand the needs of their communities in eight key cities where hip hop has historically thrived — Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. — to explore and develop services based on those specified needs.
“We believe in the power of live events and supporting those working behind the music,” Stan Chia the CEO of Vivid Seats told Rolling Stone. “With this campaign, we are supporting this vibrant music community and ensuring access to the important programming and assistance offered through MusiCares.” Vivid Seats has worked with MusiCares since 2020 to sponsor the important COVID-19 and natural disaster relief efforts for affected music industry professionals and has donated over $2 million to date. “Live events are all about showing up, and so is giving,” Chia remarked.
Vivid Seats has a long history of helping to fuel the power of shared experiences that connect people through live music and create change via their charitable organization, Vivid Cheers. The company supports its local communities in Chicago, Dallas and Toronto, and partners with national and local community organizations including Make-A-Wish, Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.
“Humans of Hip Hop is grounded in co-creation and collaboration to ensure that programs are responsive to the needs of BIPOC professionals and the hip hop community, deepening our reach to the people behind music,” shared Theresa Wolters, MusiCares’ Vice President of Health and Human Services. “We’re thrilled to again partner with Vivid Seat to provide financial assistance and access to medical, dental, mental health and addiction recovery care to those that bring music to the world.”
For those in the music community seeking financial or health assistance, please contact MusiCares at 800.687.4227 or musicaresrelief@musicares.org. MusiCares may grant short-term financial assistance for personal or addiction needs that have arisen due to unforeseen circumstances. Funding may also be awarded to help with needs such as rent, car payments, insurance premiums, utilities, medical/dental expenses, psychotherapy, addiction treatment, sober living, and other personal expenses.
To learn more about Vivid Cheers, please visit: https://corporate.vividseats.com/vivid-cheers/