Made in America Festival 2017 - Sunday
Made In America 2017 (more by Chelsea Pineda)

Live Nation gives statement on Made In America, stands by Jay-Z

First, Jay-Z penned an op-ed slamming Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney for forcing the Made In America music festival (which Jay founded) to move from its original location of Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 2019, “without a sit-down meeting, notice, dialogue, or proper communication.” Then, Jim Kenney responded in a statement, saying, “We hope to be able to resolve what has been an unfortunate misunderstanding.” Now, Live Nation, who produces the festival, gave their own statement, standing by Jay-Z:

Hi – Live Nation is providing the below statement in support of Jay-Z’s Made In America Festival.

Live Nation wholeheartedly supports Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s bid to keep the Made In America Festival at its home on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

We have yet to hear a compelling or plausible explanation for why the festival cannot return to the site where it has successfully been housed for six years and generated $102.8M in positive economic impact to the city.

From Billie Holiday to Will Smith, Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, The Roots and countless others, urban music is an indelible part of Philadelphia’s culture and history. By handicapping Made In America’s ability to bring the best show possible to the best site possible, this administration makes a statement about how it values the arts and plans to protect and expand the city’s vibrant musical heritage.

The 2018 edition goes down on Benjamin Franklin Parkway Labor Day Weekend with Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Meek Mill, Diplo, Zedd, Miguel, Janelle Monae, SOB x RBE, Saba, Maxo Kream, JPEGMAFIA, Code Orange, Turnstile, Show Me the Body, and more.