KATIE BRODERICK

The end-of-summer party and celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the Genius IQ/BBQ, took place in NYC on August 19 at Knockdown Center in Queens. The event featured amazing live performances, engaging brand activations, delicious food and beverages, and colorful tributes to a half-century of iconic rap lyrics literally plastered on the walls and windows. On the musical front, headliners Pusha T and Clipse, direct support came from Armani White and Brooklyn’s own Lola Brooke. When attendees weren’t checking out the music, they were getting shape-ups and shoe cleanings at the So Fresh, So Clean Shop Presented by Paco Rabanne; snapping photos at Infinitely You, an art installation from INFINITI featuring the 2023 QX60; chilling in the VIP Genius Lounge presented by PATRÓN EL ALTO; and partaking of the local food trucks at the Rap Cafeteria presented by Showtime Original Series The Chi.