BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR BASEBALL BAT KILLING OF MAN

Defendant Also Seriously Injured a Second Victim; Pleaded Guilty to Murder As Trial Was Starting

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for killing one man and seriously injuring another in an attack with an aluminum baseball bat. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Murder for an attack that left one man dead and another with long-term injuries. He will now serve 20 years to life in prison for his brutality.” 

   District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Kishoto Stanback, 45, of 156 West 174th Street, was sentenced on June 8, 2017 to 20 years to life in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. Stanback pleaded guilty to second-degree Murder, the top charge on his indictment, on May 22, 2017. 

  According to the investigation, on October 15, 2014, in 1314 Nelson Avenue, Stanback pushed his way into an apartment and struck Julian Cleveland and Sandy King multiple times in the head with an aluminum bat, and left the weapon behind when he fled. Cleveland, 47, died of his injuries on December 1, 2014, and King required months of rehabilitation.

  District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Francis Orlando and Ernest Dorvil of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their work in this case.

Twelve Alleged Gang Members Variously Charged With Conspiracy and Attempted Murder in Bushwick Turf War

Defendants Shot at Rivals on Busy Streets, Sometimes in Broad Daylight;

Innocent Bystanders Struck, Others Narrowly Escaped Harm in 10 Shooting Incident

  Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, today announced that 12 alleged members of the Bushwick- based street gang True Bosses Only have been variously charged in a 59-count indictment with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, weapons possession and other charges in connection with 10 separate shootings that left seven people injured.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment describes a terrifying mix of deadly force and mindless obsessions with turf, leading to serious consequences for innocent bystanders. We will never stop fighting against gun violence and this kind of senseless disregard for the safety of our children and neighbors.

The Acting District Attorney further said, “Many of these territorial disputes, in this and other cases, revolve around New York City Housing Authority developments. To that end, I have recently launched a Public Housing Crime Suppression Unit that will work to reduce crime in housing developments using data-driven intelligence focusing on the drivers of crime. The Unit will work closely with resident associations, community members, NYCHA and the NYPD to proactively suppress crime and violence, maintain safety and develop trust.”

Commissioner O’Neill said, “Today’s charges allege a series of shootings in Bushwick, among other things, that left several injured. Today’s arrests and indictment will continue helping reduce violence that have helped make our City the safest big city in America.”

The Acting District Attorney said that nine of the defendants were arraigned last week and this week before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Miller and Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Guy Mangano and variously held on bail. Three of the defendants are awaiting arraignment. All of the defendants are charged with second- and fourth-degree conspiracy. They are variously charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, first- and second-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree assault, and first-degree reckless endangerment. The defendants face up to 25 years in prison on the top conspiracy count. (See defendant addendum).

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the defendants, who now range in age from 17 to 26, are alleged to be members of True Bosses Only (“TBO”).  TBO is alleged to be a violent street gang operating within the confines of the 83rd Precinct, bordering the 73rd and 81st Precincts. TBO’s purported territory extends north and south approximately between Broadway and Wyckoff Avenue, and east and west approximately between Cooper Street and Madison Street.

Between July 2015 and the present, the indictment alleges, members of TBO have been feuding with three other violent street gangs: Elm Street Piru, which operates within the 83rdPrecinct just west of TBO territory, approximately between Palmetto Street and DeKalb Avenue; Loot Gang, which operates out of the New York City Housing Authority Ocean Hill Houses, to the south of TBO territory within the confines of the 73rd Precinct; and 900 Gang, which operates largely out of the NYCHA Sumner Houses within the confines of the 79thPrecinct.

During the course of the conspiracy the defendants allegedly agreed to commit crimes, including murder and assault, in order to maintain their dominance over their claimed geographic area.  Gang members are accused of using social media to direct their acts of violence toward rival gang members, as well as take credit after crimes occurred. At other times the defendants taunted their rivals by taking photos and videos of themselves in rival territory and posting them on Facebook and YouTube. They allegedly made use of so-called “community guns,” which were made available to various TBO members for the purpose of shooting at rivals.

Furthermore, according to the indictment, in addition to the struggle for geographical control, much of TBO’s violent activity was driven by the desire to retaliate for prior shootings targeting TBO members, particularly the September 27, 2013 shooting death of TBO member Bashiek Reddick, a.k.a., Bless.

Among the acts of violence charged in the conspiracy are the following:

• On July 8, 2015, at approximately 9 p.m., Hector Lleras and other TBO members were in front of the Hi-Mango Market at 341 Knickerbocker Avenue, in Elm Street Piru territory, when Lleras allegedly fired shots across the street, missing his target. The bullet went through window of a car parked in the vicinity, narrowly missing a man sitting in the front seat.
• On October 30, 2015, defendant Gilbert Arciliares was in front of 180 Wyckoff Avenue, in Elm Street Piru territory, at approximately 2:40 p.m., when he allegedly fired three shots. One of the shots struck an MTA bus, shattering a window and narrowly missing a passenger, who suffered cuts to her forehead from the broken glass.
• On September 11, 2016, at approximately 9:30 p.m., in the vicinity of 290 Central Avenue, Gilbert Arciliares, who was with another TBO member, allegedly fired a .380 caliber pistol multiple times at rival Elm Street Piru members, striking instead two innocent women who were walking in the area.
• On March 1, 2017, at approximately 4:20 p.m., at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Harman Street, defendant Gilbert Arciliares allegedly fired shots down Myrtle Avenue at two Piru gang members on bicycles. Arciliares missed his targets, but struck an innocent bystander in the torso and sent passersby, including children, running to escape the gunfire.

Additionally, three alleged rival gang members were shot and injured during the course of the conspiracy.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detectives Shane Maynard and Robert Nelson, of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Andrew Dunton and the overall supervision of Assistant Chief James Essig.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Owen Sucoff and James Slattery, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jonathan R. Sennett, Deputy Chief of VCE and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Chief, and the overall supervision of Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

1. Carlos Lucas, a.k.a., Skrap, 22, of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn.
2. Hector Lleras, a.k.a., Kash, 26, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
3. Gilbert Arciliares, a.k.a., Gilly, 22, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
4. Patrick Tucker, a.k.a., Holly, 25, of Canarsie, Brooklyn.
5. Tyrece Findlay, a.k.a., Preme, 20, of West Farms, Bronx.
6. Malik Cherry, a.k.a., Euros, 20, of Gravesend, Brooklyn.
7. Anthony Gooding, a.k.a., Gunna, 21, of Bushwick, Brooklyn.
8. Yasin Shearin, a.k.a., Ya-Ya, 19, of Graniteville, Staten Island.
9. Jamar Lovander, a.k.a., Headache, 26, of Arverne, Queens.

TWO BRONX MEN INDICTED FOR GANG ASSAULT FOR ATTACKING STREET VENDOR, CAUSING LIFE-ALTERING INJURIES

Defendants Beat Victim As He Tried to Stop Them from Stealing

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx men have been indicted for first-degree Gang Assault for pummeling a street vendor into a coma. 

  District Attorney Clark said “This unprovoked attack – in front of the victim’s wife and children – was a sickening crime. Surveillance video of it shows a vicious beating of a man just trying to provide for his loved ones. The victim is now awake but he faces a difficult road to full physical recovery. We will continue to work for justice for him and his family.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Enrique Foote, 18, of E. 145 Street and Octavious Profit, 24, of Heath Avenue, were arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Foote was continued h e l d on $150,000 and bail was set at $500,000 for Profit. They are due back in court on September 12, 2017. If convicted on the top charge, they face up to 25 years in prison. Three other men have been arrested in the attack. 

  Both men were indicted on first- and second-degree Gang Assault, second- and third-degree Assault and Petit Larceny. 

  According to the investigation, on the evening of March 2, 2017, at the corner of 149 Street and Third Ave., Foote, Profit, and three other apprehended males repeatedly stuck Souleymane Porgo, 53, a street vendor who tried to stop them from stealing some of his merchandise. Profit and another individual continued to beat the victim after he lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

  Porgo was hospitalized in critical condition with multiple facial fractures and required surgery for swelling and bleeding in his brain. He is undergoing rehabilitation.

  An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

TWO MEN INDICTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF FDNY BATTALION CHIEF MICHAEL FAHY AT GROW HOUSE BLAST

Defendants Allegedly Caused Leaking Gas to Become Trapped in Building; Resulting Explosion Blew Off Roof and It Struck Fahy 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two men have been indicted for second-degree Manslaughter in the explosion in an alleged marijuana grow house that killed FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, who had responded to a reported gas leak in the building in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “Chief Fahy responded to a situation that was a catastrophe waiting to happen. These defendants allegedly were growing marijuana, and had sealed the windows of the building, trapping leaking gas. Chief Fahy ordered residents out of the building- - including one of the defendants--and saved their lives. When the gas exploded, it blew off the slate roof and a section of it struck and killed him.” 

   District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Garivaldi Castillo, 32, of 465 W. 166 Street, Manhattan, and Julio Salcedo, 34, of 3450 Kingsbridge Avenue, the Bronx, have been indicted on second-degree Manslaughter. Castillo and Salcedo were arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett and are due back in court on September 5, 2017. 

  They had previously been indicted on charges of first-degree Assault, second-degree Assault, and first-degree Criminal Possession of Marijuana. If convicted of the top charge of first-degree Assault, they could face up to 25 years in prison. 

 According to the investigation, on September 27, 2016, firefighters responded to the two story building at 300 West 234 Street for a possible gas leak. They found numerous marijuana plants as well as heaters, fertilizer and tanks of helium, allegedly maintained by Castillo and Salcedo.

  According to the new indictment, the defendants recklessly caused Chief Fahy’s death by sealing the windows of the building, in furtherance of a marijuana grow house operation, causing leaking gas to become trapped inside the building, causing it to explode, which caused the roof to strike Chief Fahy, killing him.

  An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Operation Toothache: A.G. Schneiderman Announces Separate Convictions Of Unlicensed Dentist And Nurse

Alexander Hollander Continued To Practice Dentistry After Losing License For Medicaid Fraud In 2000; Defendant Could Serve Up To 4 Years In Prison 

Noucheline Jean Impersonated Licensed Practical Nurse For 18 Months

Schneiderman: My Office Will Continue To Prosecute Phony Professionals Who Undermine The Integrity Of New York’s Healthcare System

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the separate convictions of former dentist Alexander Hollander, 70, and former Park Nursing Home employee Noucheline Jean, 45, both of Brooklyn, NY for providing patient care as unlicensed medical professionals. On June 7, Hollander was convicted by a Kings County Supreme Court jury of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession (Dentistry) in violation of the New York State Education Law, a Class E Felony. On June 2, Jean was convicted by a Queens County jury for the felony crime of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession (Nursing), and Unauthorized Use of a Professional Title, a misdemeanor.

“My office has zero tolerance for those who purport to be medical professionals but lack the proper licenses to provide patient care,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will continue to prosecute phony professionals who undermine the integrity of our healthcare system and put patients at risk.”

In June 2000, Hollander lost the authority to practice dentistry following his conviction for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and multiple other felonies for Medicaid fraud. However, an investigation conducted by Attorney General Schneiderman revealed that Hollander continued to practiced dentistry at the 7^th Avenue Dental Office P.C. located at 5610 7^th Avenue, in Brooklyn, NY.        

The investigation began when the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) of the Attorney General’s Office, then conducting an internal review of individuals who still owed the State restitution, discovered that Hollander was working at the 7^thAvenue Dental Office and had advertised an open dentist position at that location. At the time of the review, Hollander still owed the State over $140,000 in restitution from the 2000 conviction.

The MFCU subsequently sent an undercover investigator posing as a patient into Hollander’s office on April 19, 2013.  The undercover investigator complained of tooth pain and asked Hollander if he was a dentist, to which Hollander replied that he was and provided the investigator with a business card that listed his professional title as Clinical Director and Doctor of Dental Surgery. 

On May 9, 2013, during a second undercover visit to Hollander’s office, the defendant assisted the undercover investigator with paperwork and then told him to wait while he treated another patient. While waiting, the undercover investigator observed the defendant, who was wearing a lab shirt and plastic gloves, treat another patient in an adjoining examining room. The investigator captured the defendant’s conduct on video. Later, the defendant invited the investigator into the same examining room and discussed treatment and x-rays with the investigator. Immediately following a third undercover visit to the defendant’s office on May 30, 2013, the defendant was placed under arrest and subsequently indicted on felony charges.  

Hollander faces a maximum of four years in state prison on each count. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2017.

In an unrelated case of unlicensed practice, defendant Noucheline Jean provided medical care to patients at the Park Nursing Home without a license for 18 months. Under the guise that she was a licensed nurse and had recently passed the written Licensed Practical Nurse test, Jean accepted a promotion from her employer. However, Jean had previously been informed by the New York State Office of the Professions that she would not be issued a license because she had not satisfied significant requirements.

Defendant Jean is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2017.

MFCU’s investigation into Alexander Hollander was conducted by Special Investigators Shavaun Clawson, Nancy Calo-Kenny, and Alexander Kats and Principal Auditor-Investigator Cristina Marin with the assistance of Supervising Investigator Victor Maldonado and Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Brooklyn Medical Supply Company Owner For Stealing Over $1 Million From Medicaid

Kester Atumonyogo, Owner Of Monack Medical Supply, Inc., Allegedly Billed Medicaid For An Expensive Nutritional Formula, Supplied An Inexpensive Over-The-Counter Substitute—Stealing Over $1 Million 

AG’s Investigation Also Alleges History Of Identify And Welfare Fraud; Defendant Could Face 4 To 25 Years In Prison

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that Kester Atumonyogo, of Valley Stream, NY, and his company Monack Medical Supply, Inc. were arraigned on an indictment charging Atumonyogo and Monack with billing Medicaid and Healthfirst, a Medicaid managed care organization, for an expensive nutritional formula while supplying patients with a lower-priced substitute and stealing over $1 million in the process. Atumonyogo, 49, was arraigned in New York Supreme Court, Kings County, by the Honorable Danny K. Chun.

“New Yorkers pay into Medicaid to meet the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. They deserve to know their dollars are going to help people, not profit unscrupulous business owners,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who steal from our Medicaid programs to enrich themselves with taxpayer dollars.”

According to the indictment, Atumonyogo used a fraudulent social security number to enroll Monack as a Medicaid-participating provider of medical supplies. The company then allegedly filed false claims to Medicaid and Healthfirst that Monack had dispensed to pediatric patients a highly specialized and expensive enteral nutritional formula, which is prescribed by physicians for patients who must obtain nutrients via a feeding tube and cannot metabolize dietary nutrients from substantive food.  

The investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) revealed that Medicaid and Healthfirst paid Monack for the specialized formula, although Monack only dispensed “Pediasure” or similar over-the-counter nutritional supplements, and at times administered nothing at all. The Medicaid reimbursement rate for specialized enteral nutritional formula is substantially higher than off-the-shelf or over-the-counter nutritional supplements. In total, Atumonyogo and Monack allegedly stole over $1 million from the Medicaid program.

The investigation also uncovered that Atumonyogo allegedly used two different dates of birth and claimed to have been born in two countries. Using that false identifying information, Atumonyogo allegedly obtained two different social security numbers that he has used interchangeably since the 1990’s. According to prosecutors, the defendant used the second social security number he obtained to enroll Monack in the Medicaid program. 

Prosecutors also allege that Atumonyogo used a different social security number in 2006 to obtain welfare benefits, and that in October 2012 and September 2013 Atumonyogo filed false income verifications with the New York City Human Resources Administration, claiming that he only made $200 or less per week.  The Attorney General’s investigation revealed that between March 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014, the defendant received at least $575,806.88 from Monack.

Today’s indictment charges Atumonyogo with Health Care Fraud in the First Degree, a class B Felony, three counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C Felony, Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a class D felony, and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E Felony. If convicted, the defendant faces a prison sentence of 4 to 25 years. 

The Attorney General would like to thank the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, the United States Social Security Administration, the United States Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, and the New York City Human Resources Administration for their valuable assistance in the investigation.  The Attorney General acknowledges the cooperation and assistance provided by Healthfirst throughout the investigation.

A.G. Schneiderman And Acting Tax Commissioner Manion Announce Indictment Of “Taxi King” Evgeny Freidman For Allegedly Stealing Nearly $5 Million In MTA Taxes

Freidman And Company CFO Allegedly Withheld Nearly $5 Million In MTA Passenger Surcharges From The State Of New York

If Convicted, Defendants Could Face 8 1/3 To 25 Years In Prison

Schneiderman: No One Is Above The Law; We Will Hold Accountable Those Who Cheat The System

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion announced today the arrests of Evgeny A. Freidman, 46, of New York, NY, and Andreea Dumitru, 41, of Sunnyside, NY, on a five-count indictment charging them jointly with theft and failure to remit to the New York State Tax Department over $5 million in 50 cent MTA surcharges between 2012 and 2015. During this time period, Freidman and Dumitru—respectively the CEO and CFO of Taxiclub Management Inc.—managed a fleet of over 800 medallion taxicabs out of locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Woodside, and Long Island City.

“The ‘Taxi King’ built his empire by stealing from New Yorkers – pocketing money that should have instead been invested in our transportation system,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “No one is above the law, and my office will use every tool available to hold accountable those who cheat the system.”

“This indictment exposes a blatant scheme to short-change the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the transportation infrastructure relied on by millions of New Yorkers,” said Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion. “Hundreds of honest taxi drivers did their part in collecting the proper fare, however Mr. Freidman and his business partner are accused of manipulating tax filings to put this money right into their own pockets. We will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who accumulate personal wealth with tax schemes and ill-gotten gains face justice.”

This case was the result of a joint investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance. Additionally, the Attorney General’s Taxpayer Protection Bureau is conducting an ongoing parallel civil investigation into Mr. Freidman’s conduct. Separately, the Attorney General’s Labor Bureau has investigated Freidman’s failure to properly pay drivers; those investigations resulted in a 2013 settlement for $1.2 million and a 2016 consent order in New York Supreme Court requiring Freidman and four of his taxi medallion management agencies to pay over $275,000 in damages and fines and to hire an independent monitor to examine compliance with TLC driver-related rules. 

The Attorney General’s indictment, unsealed today in Albany County Court, charges Freidman and Dumitru jointly with four counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the First Degree, a class B felony, and one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, a class B felony. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years’ imprisonment.

According to statements made by prosecutors and documents filed in court today, Freidman’s Taxiclub Management, Inc. oversaw the operation of four NYC taxicab medallion management agencies: 28^th Street Management Inc. (located at 313 10^th Ave., New York, NY); Downtown Taxi Management LLC (located at 330 Butler St., Brooklyn, NY); Tunnel Taxi Management LLC (located at 44-07 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, NY); and Woodside Management Inc. (located at 49-13 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, NY).

Freidman is also the beneficial and managing owner of over 120 companies, each of which held multiple taxicab medallions. Through these companies and the four managing agencies, Freidman served as both the licensed owner and managing agent of a fleet of over 260 medallion taxicabs. In addition to the hundreds of medallions he owned, Friedman’s managing agencies leased hundreds of additional medallions from other owners. Taxi Club Management Inc. and the four managing agencies are believed to have controlled over 800 medallion taxicabs between 2012 and 2015.

During this three-year period, these taxicabs provided millions of rides to millions of New York City passengers. The vast majority of those rides were subject to a 50 cent New York State Tax known as the “MTA Tax,” which was automatically collected from passengers as part of their fare. Instead of remitting that tax to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance as required by law, Freidman, together with Taxiclub Management CFO Andreea Dumitru, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to withhold that money by improperly filing returns, failing to file returns, failing to remit the tax on filed returns and by filing falsified returns which underreported the true number of taxable rides. Through this scheme, Freidman and Dumitru withheld nearly $5 million in taxes from the State of New York that had been collected from passengers.

Freidman and Dumitru were arraigned in Albany County Court before the Honorable Peter A. Lynch. Bail was set in the amount of $500,000 bond or cash for Freidman and $400,000 bond or cash for Dumitru.

The Office of the Attorney General thanks the New York State Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division for its invaluable assistance on this case.

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

BP DIAZ CELEBRATES GLOBAL HIP-HOP DAY

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined dozens of hip-hop celebrities and hundreds of music lovers to celebrate "Global Hip Hop Day" on Thursday, June 8, 2017, as part of a celebration honoring past and present artists who help put the musical genre on the map.

Borough President Diaz joined hip-hop trailblazers such as Funkmaster Flex, DJ Kid Capri, Remy Ma, Fat Joe, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, hip-hop producer Larry Smith, Fever Records founder Sal Abbatiello, Commissioner Julie Menin of The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Council Member Vanessa Gibson, The Universal Hip Hop Museum, Generation Hip Hop, The BulLion Foundation, Windows of Hip Hop and HOT 97 to commemorate the genre’s immense impact on music and pop culture across the world.

As part of the celebration, a portion of Sedgwick Avenue was rechristened “Hip Hop Boulevard,” to honor the Bronx neighborhood that give birth to hip-hop.

"The Bronx is an iconic, internationally renowned hip-hop destination, the home of a rebellious and innovative musical art-form that has, over several generations, become a worldwide powerhouse,” said Borough President Diaz during his remarks at the event. “To see so many generations of artists, who not only have paved the way but made powerful contributions in the arts and society, coming together to celebrate and honor this music and culture, it’s like I died and I went hip hop heaven.”