iradiophilly | Culture - Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Responds to Jay-Z About Future of Made in America Festival on Parkway

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Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Responds to Jay-Z About Future of Made in America Festival on Parkway

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 07/19/18 4:10 am | updated: 07/19/18 4:10 am

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has been trying to clear up 'miscommunication' between the city and hip hop superstar Jay-Z regarding the future of the Made in America festival. It started with wide spread reports on Tuesday, 7/17, that the city had decided not to host the two-day Labor Day weekend music festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway after this year. That information came from Sarah Reyes, deputy communications director for the mayor's office, and was first reported by Billy Penn. The city apparently wanted to search for other locations to host the event due to logistics and parkway residents.

This was news to Jay-Z and his company Roc Nation that produces the event. He wrote an open letter in the Philadelphia Inquirer criticizing Mayor Kenney. "We are disappointed that the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia would evict us from the heart of the city, through a media outlet, without a sit-down meeting, notice, dialogue or proper communication. It signifies zero appreciation for what Made In America hasÂ builtÂ alongside the phenomenal citizens of this city."

On Wednesday, 7/18, the mayor responded by saying, "First of all I love Jay-Z I think he's extremely talented he's very philanthropic. We love the concert and we want to keep it." He explained that the city sent an RFP (request for proposal) to the company for next year's event that included the venue change and it was returned without questions. Apparently, it did not go to the right people. "There are some operational difficulties on the Parkway because of how long it takes to set up and take down. We were in conversation with people who we thought were communicating that to ROC Nation and Jay-Z. Apparently, they weren't," said Kenney. He says they are talking with the right people now.

This year's event takes place on September 1 and 2. Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, Post Malone, and Diplo are headlining. For more information go to: http://madeinamericafest.com

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