As part of the 50 Years of Hip Hop celebrations, NYC’s most iconic boat cruise, Circle Line, set sail to the beats and rhymes of Missy Elliott and the legendary class of Timbaland.
I can’t stand the rain. As I made my way uptown to pier 83, I was worried. It was drenching rain and I was running behind.
Lovers of Hip Hop and lovers of New York were uniting here in anticipation of Circle Line’s collaboration with the Hip Hop Museum to celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop. This was final installment of Circle Line’s annual Summer Dance Cruise series which transforms the multi-level boat into a dance party as it sails for two hours around NYC.
As if on cue just Missy has been for over 30 years, the rain stopped and the skies slowly cleared to reveal a glorious sunset as the large boat took to the Hudson River and beyond as the beats of DJ Spinderella wafted to the the tops of the World Trade Center to the ears of Lady Liberty herself.
With a bar serving special cocktails designed for the evening and snacks including nachos and Hot Dogs, it was a festive moment for a good cause. Receiving 50% of the ticket sales of the sold out event, the Hip Hop Museum is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Hip Hop music, dance, art, and culture and a permanent place to celebrate the music that has made the Bronx famous worldwide.
As for guests aboard the boat, the dancing was fully underway with a stage set on the penthouse level of the boat, with the skyline of NYC in full view. DJ Spinderella was joined by dance instructor, Bryan Freeman of B. Free Dance to teach the iconic moves of Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control”.
We found ourselves rapping along and busting a move or two with the lively crowd who were deeply enthusiastic about the music. It felt great to celebrate a good cause with a friendly crowd. As twilight turned to night, the party raged on as we sailed under the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, following The Circle Line’s iconic route.