Last week, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney slammed the fate of Jay-Z's "Made In America" festival into imbalance. After hosting the festival at Ben Franklin Parkway for six straight years, Mayor Kenney decided it was time for a change, essentially "evicting" the festival from its longtime home. In response, Jay-Z penned an op-ed against the decision, citing the festival's importance to both the city and the culture. It seemed so grim that Milwaukee officials even slid into the proverbial DMs to hold it down as a potential backup. Still, Jay and his team remained determined to salvage the relationship, and it would appear he can now deem that mission accomplished.
According to a report from HHNM, Mayor Kenney has officially issued a statement confirming that the festival would indeed stay in Parkway. "I am greatly appreciative of everything that Made in America has done for the City of Philadelphia and I remain committed to its continued success. The Made in America festival belongs in Philadelphia – the birthplace of our country – and I’m optimistic that we can turn an unfortunate misunderstanding into a positive outcome and even stronger event," he writes. "I look forward to working with Roc Nation and Live Nation, and maintaining this Philadelphia tradition for years to come.”
Roc Nation issued a statement of their own, courtesy of Desiree Perez. “We are happy to announce the Made in America festival will continue at the heart of the Philadelphia, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for many years to come," says Perez. "After a candid and constructive discussion with the Mayor, we are confident any miscommunication is corrected, and we are proactively addressing any concerns. We are committed to bringing the best experience possible to Philadelphians and all music lovers as well as the continuing prosperity of the city.”
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