The year, 2023, celebrates fifty years of hip hop, as reported. To mark the occasion, a new hip hop series has launched on BronxNet. Network officials say the series, Kwik2Rok, showcases and celebrates hip hop as an artform and culture born in The Bronx.

 

Commenting on the launch of the new show, BronxNet executive director, Michael Max Knobbe, said, “The launch of Kwik2Rok on BronxNet TV is a perfect way for us to kick off the global celebrations for a half century of hip hop culture born in the Bronx. He added, “We are grateful to Creatives Rebuild NY for helping to make Kwik2Rok and other upcoming new and original programming a reality, while supporting local artists and the creative economy.”

 

TV representatives say thanks to the support of Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY), hip hop dance legends, Ana Rokafella Garcia and Gabriel Kwikstep Dionisio, have been able to realize their dream of producing a television show focused on the culture they helped create. The variety talk show brings interviews, archival clips and performances, featuring world-renowned and underground artists who are keeping the hip hop legacy alive.

 

Of the new show, Garcia said, “BronxNet and CRNY are supporting us as we expand from dance into TV production and giving us the opportunity to share our spotlight with our local hip hop community.” She added, “Kwikstep and I couldn’t be more excited about launching Kwik2Rok – our Hip hop variety show – in 2023, the year that marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop’s first party back in 1973.”

 

Kwik2Rok was made possible via an Artist Employment Program (AEP) grant from Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY). Designed to support employment opportunities for artists, the program is funding 98 collaborations involving a dynamic group of 300 artists employed by community-based organizations, municipalities, and tribal governments across New York State. CRNY has awarded a total of $49.9 million in funding to support artists’ salaries and benefits, with an additional $11.7 million in funding provided to the organizations holding employment.

 

Episode 1 launched on Thursday, Jan. 5, with guest, Bronx-born and bred hip hop legend and the inventor of “scratch” and the “needle drop” technique, Grand Wizard Theodore, along with Harlem icon, founder of KR3TS Dance Company, Violeta Galagarza. The episode included a “Behind the Groove” look at some key hip hop moments and a graffiti montage by the FX Crew.

 

The premiere episode was already rebroadcast twice and will air once again on Monday Jan. 9 at 8.30 a.m. and at 10.30 p.m., on Tuesday Jan. 10 at 12.30 p.m. and at 9.30 p.m., on Wednesday Jan. 11 at 5.30 a.m. and at 2.30 p.m. and on Thursday Jan. 12 at 2.30 a.m. and at 1.30 p.m., on BronxNet CH 67 Optimum / 2133 Fios and at www.bronxnet.tv. New episodes will be broadcast every Thursday at 8 p.m.

 

BronxNet is the independent nonprofit organization serving the people of The Bronx with media production training, access to technology, and television channels. BronxNet programs six channels, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137 and 2138, on the Verizon Fios system and another six channels, 67, 68, 69, 70, 951, and 952, on the Optimum system in The Bronx. BronxNet’s ultra-local programming helps connect The Bronx with the world, while its training programs and partnerships are a part of community development through media. For more information visit: www.bronxnet.org.