YouTube’s Grammy’s celebration to pay homage to NY City

With the Grammy's returning to New York for the first time in 15 years, Google and YouTube are celebrating music's biggest night by paying homage to New York and amplifying the future of music and its creators.

Inspired by the birth and origins of hip-hop in New York, an 80’s “throwback” theme was born for YouTube’s private Grammy’s celebration event on Jan. 26, co-hosted by Lyor Cohen, Brooklyn born Hip Hop artist, NAS, Grandmaster Flash, Q-Tip, Fab Five Freddy and Chuck D.

The 80s were a time of musical revolution, a rebellion against social norms, when breaks in the beat led to a break from the past; Hip Hop gave us artists an outlet for expression. It’s that feeling of expression and sense of rebellion YouTube aimed to achieve through the creation of an unconventional, one-of-a kind invitation to its event.

New York based Graffiti artist CYCLE was commissioned to “tag” and create a massive mural, using 400 Google Home Max’s, stacked into a 55-foot long wall, as the canvas. The individual boxes will be sent to guests as both an invitation and unforgettable collective.

An additional 50 old school boomboxes were custom designed by Jeben Berg, founder of Wild Evidence, to include the individual names of these VVIP recipients. Amongst those who received the custom designed boomboxes include Elton John, Wyclef, Ed Sheeran, Snoop Dog, Scooter Braun and more. These boom boxes, along with the "tagged" Google Home Max invite were white glove delivered by "B-Boys" (concierge team outfitted in 80s hip hop gear-Adidas track suits, Kangol bucket hat, shell toes etc.). The B-Boys (and girls) presented the boomboxes and then set-up the Google Home, walking recipients through the invite experience.