Rap pioneer Grandmaster Flash has been named as a presenter for the Long Island Music Hall of Fame’s (LIMHOF) second annual induction gala.
The event will take place Oct. 21 at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College CUNY, in Flushing, Queens.
This year’s Queens induction venue holds a special place in light of the connections that many of the nominees and presenters have to the borough.
“We’re thrilled that Grandmaster Flash, one of the first and greatest of Hip-Hop artists, has agreed to help us celebrate Long Island’s rich musical heritage. We look forward to a great evening in October,” LIMHOF Chairman Richard L’ Hommedieu said in a statement.
Grandmaster Flash will be on hand to induct Bay Shore, Long Island born rap veteran LL Cool J at into the Hall at the gala.
The event is the latest achievement for the DJ, who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Hip-Hop.
Other LIMHOF inductees include Public Enemy, Mariah Carey, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Aaron Copland, The Good Rats, The Ramones, Simon and Garfunkel, Blue Oyster Cult, Jean Ritchie, Carole King, Arlo Guthrie, Kenny Vance, The Tokens, Neil Diamond, Pat Benatar, Barbra Streisand and others.
Dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical heritage is an important resource worth celebrating and preserving for future generations, the LIMHOF was created as a place to inspire the desire to explore and celebrate music in all its forms in addition to being a place where the music community can the support, resources andleadership necessary to aid them in their exploration.
The organization, which defines Long Island as Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, sponsors the Long Island Sound Award and traveling educational exhibits.
It is currently working to create a permanent home for the story of the Long Island’s musical heritage.
For details on the gala and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, visit www.limusichalloffame.org/.