Wednesday, June 4th, 2025. Apollo Theatre. Harlem, New York. — The Apollo Theatre held its 2025 Spring Benefit on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The annual event began with a Red Carpet Walk at 4:30 pm at the Victoria Hotel.
Thirty-Five years ago, Cold Chillin Records hosted a series of concerts at New York’s famed Apollo Theater. While the concert was filmed, some of that footage was lost until recently. In celebration of both the 35th anniversary of the Cold Chillin Records Showcase concert at the Apollo Theater (November 20th), and the found footage, the founder of Cold Chillin Records Tyrone ‘Fly Ty” Williams, and some of the label’s artist gathered to reflect on the 1988 concert.
Cold Chillin Records, which included hip hop artist Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, the late Grand Daddy I.U., Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane and the late Biz Markie, was created in 1986, and went defunct in 1998. Shante, MC Shan, Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane were all in attendance at the Apollo for In Conversation with Cold Chillin Records. Lyricist Lounge’s Ant Marshall facilitated the conversation.
The label’s founder was joined by Video Music Box host Ralph McDaniels and the two discussed bringing the concert tonight. Williams who had a background in radio prior to launching Cold Chillin Records stated he put up about $125,000 for the concert to take place, and discussed how record label executives were initially hesitant about the concert taking place because of fears that there would be violence at the show. McDaniels, who was crucial in the filming, discussed how he had the onstage footage, but the Apollo called him months ago to say they had backstage footage which he didn’t have.
As Williams discussed what a dream it was for his artist to perform on the legendary Apollo Theater stage, one by one Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl and others proceeded to the stage to talk about the 1988 show. Williams shared while seated with Shante about how much adversity she faced from peers and the industry as she was making a name for herself in the industry in the 1980s.
Throughout the conversation, clips from the 1988 concert were shown, and after clips of the late Biz Markie were shown, recollections of his humor were shared by guest such as Big Daddy Kane.
The night wrapped up featuring a performance by Shante, Kool G Rap, MC Shan and Big Daddy Kane. Afterward Williams’ was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams honoring Cold Chillin Records.
After 85 years serving as Harlem’s world-famous music hall, and the breakout stage for countless performers, The Apollo receives a definitive telling of its history from academy award-winning director Roger Ross Williams.
On September 16, the cast of Epix’s new series, Godfather of Harlem, joined the red carpet premiere held in Harlem.
The lively Spring Gala at the Apollo managed to raise over $2 million dollars for the Harlem Community, as well as bring young and old faces in the music community together to celebrate the theater’s long history.
The Apollo Theater has been the birthing point of some of the most influential black musicians who we know today.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) partners with dance icon Debbie Allen, in recognition of World AIDS Day.
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ award-winning book ‘Between the World and Me’ will come to life in two theatrically staged readings featuring Common and Angela Bassett.
The Apollo Theater is hosting several events to celebrate Black History Month including two days of free entry.
At “How I Wrote That Song,” presented by Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) along with the Apollo Theater Education Program, five songwriters all came together in an effort to teach to the general public how they became successful and how they got their start in songwriting.