Port Morris, Hunts Point develop trendy music venues

Port Morris, Hunts Point develop trendy music venues
Courtesy of Ruben Henriquez
File

This isn’t your dad’s south Bronx anymore.

The rapidly emerging area now known as ‘SoBro’ has become home to music venues and clubs that you would think belong in Chelsea.

The New York Expo Center and Pier 132 are leading the charge in bringing the culture of electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop into upscale Hunts Point and Port Morris venues.

Transforming a former fertilizer processing facility known as New York Organic Fertilizer Company, the New York Expo Center, a 60,000 square foot indoor event space, is growing as a venue.

Sitting on the water’s edge at Oak Point in Hunts Point, the center has brought EDM festivals to the Bronx for the first time in recent memory.

Called ‘The Greatest Day Ever!’ this cross-genre music festival provides a great blend of experiences for everyone in an inclusive environment.

Expanding from a one-day festival to a two-day summer weekend of fun in 2017, the event caters to New York City’s multicultural lifestyle.

“Hip-Hop meets EDM meets county fair carnival, in an inclusive melting-pot environment where everyone is allowed to enjoy themselves carefree and have the greatest day ever,’ said The Greatest Day Ever! team.

Past lineups have included Diplo, Travis Scott, Dillon Francis, Post Malone, The Internet, Anna Lunoe, Baauer, Metro Boomin, DJ Esco and more.

That’s coming on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 of this summer.

A second EDM festival is also making it’s way to the expo center with Zeds Dead and The Knocks as headliners.

“Elements Music & Art Festival” sets up shop at the Bronx venue on the weekend of Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13.

“As native New Yorkers, we are aware of the rapid changes happening around us and to the city that raised us.

The south Bronx remains one of the last true New York neighborhoods of our time and speaks to the authenticity and originality of the event” said The Greatest Day Ever! founder Irvin Benitez.

“We feel blessed to have grown up in a time a lot of people consider the ‘Golden-Era’ of hip-hop culture in the city that birthed it and now be able to give back to the culture that has given us so much; but also carry on tradition by hosting our event right in the borough that started it all,” he added.

That golden era of hip hop culture still shines from Pier 132 in Port Morris as well.

This recently renovated movers and storage warehouse has become one of the more premier hip-hop clubs in the borough.

The venue’s main function is for private events as well as events open to the public on weekends.

Pier 132 hosted the Element Awards for a second year, a celebration of the culture of hip-hop within the Bronx put on by Windows of Hip Hop.

Not only did famed rappers like Swizz Beatz make an appearance, but Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. attended as well.

The awards were also a chance for Windows of Hip Hop to announce the development of a hip hop hall of fame not to far from the venue.

“Our announcement of the future home of Windows of Hip Hop couldn’t have been at a more perfect time. We’re excited to see hip hop and the culture of hip hop being celebrated, honored, and finally given a home where it deserves- right here in the Bronx,” said the Windows of Hip-Hop team.

This waterfront icon will surely confirm SoBro’s musical culture, as if it needs anymore evidence.