Nas, Resorts World New York City Pledge $2 Million to The Hip Hop Museum

Posted on: October 20, 2025, 09:53h. 

Last updated on: October 20, 2025, 10:15h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Rap artist Nas and Resorts World are giving $2 million to The Hip Hop Museum
  • The Hip Hop Museum is set to open in 2026, more than a decade after it was announced
  • Nas and RW are seeking a full casino license in Queens

Rap legend Nas and Resorts World New York City have committed $2 million to the ongoing construction of The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx.

Nas Hip Hop Museum Resorts World New York City
Nas announces a $2 million gift with Resorts World New York City to The Hip Hop Museum at the Bronx project’s 2nd Annual Gala on Oct. 15, 2025. Nas is promoting Resorts World’s bid for a downstate New York casino license. (Image: Resorts World New York City)

First envisioned in 2015, the museum held a ceremonial groundbreaking in May 2021, with LL Cool J and Grandmaster Flash in attendance. The project has since encountered numerous delays and funding setbacks, but construction is once again underway, with Nas and RWNYC partially to thank.

The video lottery racino at the Queens Aqueduct and Nas are directing $2 million to the museum that will pay homage to where hip hop supposedly originated.

Building this hip hop museum is something our culture has needed for a long time. It’s powerful to see a space being created to preserve that history and to educate and inspire the next generation,” said Nas.

“Being able to contribute alongside Resorts World to help bring this vision to life is an honor. This museum stands as a reminder of where we came from, and a celebration of everything hip hop continues to be,” the 17-time Grammy Award nominee added.

Hip Hop Museum 

The Hip Hop Museum is planning to open its doors in 2026. The institution is being built at 610 Exterior St. in the Bronx, just steps from Sedgwick Ave., where many credit hip hop to have originated. The museum, along with memorabilia and interactive exhibits, will include a 300-seat theater.

Nas, considered among the greatest rappers of all time, made the $2 million museum commitment at The Hip Hop Museum’s 2nd Annual Benefit Gala on October 15 at Cipriana Wall Street in New York City.

In March 2024, Resorts World partnered with Nas, born in Brooklyn but who grew up in neighboring Queens, on its bid to procure one of the three downstate New York casino licenses that are to be awarded by the end of this year. Resorts World is among three remaining bids before the New York Gaming Facility Location Board.

Genting, the Malaysia-based parent to the racino that can currently only offer slot-like video lottery terminals and electronic table games, wants to invest $5 billion to overhaul the property into a Las Vegas Strip-like destination. Upon receipt of a full-scale gaming permit, RW would start the process to redevelop the property into among the world’s largest casinos.

The proposed casino would include 6,000 slot machines and 800 live-dealer table games. The resort would include 2,000 hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, 7,000 parking spaces, more than 30 dining outlets, and a dozen acres of community greenspace. 

Resorts World’s $2 Billion Community Benefit

Along with the $5 billion investment, Resorts World has pledged $2 billion in community support grants should it secure a casino license.

Genting says it will spend $750 million to construct up to 50K units of affordable workforce housing and another $750 million for a sports and media complex developed in partnership with Kenny “The Jet” Smith.

Resorts would also give $350 million to the Innovation Campus Community Fund and $150 million to the RW Gives philanthropic initiative.