Back in June it was reported, Budweiser will not be sponsoring rapper Jay-Z’s “Made In America” music festival this year, despite previously being a major sponsor.
More bad news…
On Tuesday, the City of Philadelphia announced that JAY-Z’s music and arts festival Made In America would move in 2019 from The Parkway, the location it’s been held in since 2012. The festival will still take place in The Parkway in 2018.
JAY-Z has now published an open letter in Philly.com decrying the decision and laying the blame at the office of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
“The Made in America festival is a multi-cultural platform that represents strength, freedom of speech and perseverance for artists and music lovers. Philadelphia, an iconic city, represents those ideals. The location is integral to the pulse of the festival. The Parkway is a cultural arts center that is symbolic to over 600 artists that have performed at this event. The Parkway captures the freedom and spirit of inclusivity that drew us to the city of Brotherly Love. The celebratory nature and essence of this festival has inspired locals as well as visitors from across the nation to enjoy Labor Day in Philadelphia.
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 has built alongside the phenomenal citizens of this city.
