Celebrating Hip Hop’s Legacy: The 2025 Elements of Hip Hop Awards Return to The Bronx

The birthplace of Hip Hop came alive once again as the 2025 Elements of Hip Hop Awards returned to The Bronx, hosted at the newly opened Bronx Music Hall on February 25, 2025. Organized by Windows of Hip Hop, Inc., this electrifying event celebrated the foundational elements of Hip Hop culture and the artists who continue to shape it from the ground up.

PHOTO: Busta Rhymes by @IsaacPhotography_

PHOTO: Amadeus by @IsaacPhotography_

Honoring Hip Hop’s Icons
This year’s award show, co-hosted by April Hernandez-Castillo and Zalo Castillo, was a star-studded salute to Hip Hop legends and innovators. Attendees celebrated a powerful lineup of honorees, including:

• Antonio Cruz aka Tony Sunshine – Bronx-born vocalist known for his soulful hooks and key role in Terror Squad’s biggest hits.
• Joseph Guillermo Jones aka Jim Jones – Harlem’s own Dipset frontman, whose hustle and style defined 2000s NYC rap.
• Trevor Smith Jr. aka Busta Rhymes – A larger-than-life legend, known for his electrifying performances and unmistakable rapid-fire flow.
• Shamele Mackie aka Papoose – Revered for his lyrical precision and deep dedication to the culture, Papoose reps NYC with pride.
• Sharon Jackson aka MC Sha-Rock – The original first lady of hip hop and a true pioneer as part of Funky 4 + 1.

The event also honored hip hop ambassadors Grandmaster Melle Mel and Grandmaster Caz, whose early contributions helped lay the foundation for what Hip Hop is today.


A Night of Culture, Community & Celebration
The evening featured live performances, heartfelt tributes, and community connections that brought generations of hip hop lovers together under one roof. This was more than just an awards show—it was a reunion of culture, sound, and spirit, hosted in the very borough where it all began.

PHOTO: Tony Sunshine by @IsaacPhotography_
PHOTO: Two Dollar Dave by @IsaacPhotography_

From The Bronx to The Honorees
Adding a local touch, From The Bronx was proud to supply Bronx-themed gifts for this year’s honorees. Each gift was a reminder of the borough’s roots in Hip Hop history and a nod to the creatives who continue to carry its legacy forward.
PHOTO: @IsaacPhotography_

PHOTO: Amadeus & Papoose by @IsaacPhotography_

About Windows of Hip Hop
Windows of Hip Hop (WOHH) is a Bronx-based nonprofit that uses Hip Hop culture as a tool for community building and youth empowerment. Founded in 2012, WOHH works with schools, community groups, and artists to educate and inspire through the lens of hip hop’s five core elements: MCing, DJing, graffiti, breakdancing, and knowledge.

To learn more about their mission, visit windowsofhiphop.org.

From The Bronx to The World!!