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The Asbury Park Music Foundation [APMF] has partnered with Black Suburbia Music Group to launch Suburbia Friday Nights – a concert series that will be held on the first Friday of every month beginning Sept 7.

“Hip Hop is under-represented in Asbury Park and our Foundation saw an opportunity to support this musical community and build the momentum that is just starting to get traction,” said APMF Chair Jim Lenskold said. “Black Suburbia Group takes a very professional approach to their shows and can inspire young artists just starting out. Plus they are attracting a growing audience who want to see hip hop within the mix of great music in Asbury Park.”

Lenskold said the shows will feature a mix of hip hop and other genres in order to help unite the community through diverse music.

“The ongoing monthly series will provide a base for hip hop music on the east side of Asbury Park to expand on shows running in the Saint and House of Independents with good success,” he said in a written statement.”  

The new concert series is an expansion on APMF Hip Hop Institute it launched three years ago with the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth in Asbury Park. Club members meet weekly to learn how to write, record and perform music.

Black Suburbia Group [BSG] will co run and handle booking the shows, being held at the APMF performance space at 621 Lake Avenue, Unit 1C, Lenskold said.

“BSG held their own event at the APMF space in June, which was a great success and served as the inspiration for this monthly series,” Lenskold said.

Drew the Recluse, Miles NxBxDy and Momo Da Gawd will headline the opening show alongside Hip Hop Institute current and past members.

“One of our biggest goals is to bring a diverse musical experience to our audience,” said James Barkley of BSG. “We want to continue to introduce Hip-Hop to Asbury Park’s music scene and at the same time collaborate with other genres. We hope that by sharing our vision with the next generation the railroad tracks will no longer be a dividing line.”

Lenskold said APMF will look to find a corporate sponsor and/or individual underwriters to support their mission of creating an inclusive and collaborative ‘One Asbury’ music community.

The shows at APMF performance space will be open to all ages and no-alcohol will be served.

“A younger audience can now see live performances by high quality musicians providing a positive influence,” Lenskold said.

For more about the Asbury Park Music Foundation visit their website and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

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