Johnny Gill Honored with Key to the City as NYC’s Rise Up Concert Series Returns
New York City is officially outside—and it’s bringing the legends with it.
Mayor Eric Adams recently announced the return of Rise Up NYC, the city’s free summer concert series now in its fourth season. With 10 outdoor concerts scheduled across all five boroughs, the series is a major part of the mayor’s “We Outside Summer” initiative, which aims to bring joy, culture, and community connection to the streets of New York.
But one moment in this year’s lineup is making history.
This Saturday, August 2, R&B icon and multi-platinum artist Johnny Gill will be presented with the Entertainer’s Key to the City of New York by Mayor Adams himself. The presentation will take place in the heart of Harlem on 125th Street, just before Gill takes the stage to perform for a crowd of thousands.
“Someone once told me prayer is the key to the kingdom and faith unlocks the door,” said Gill. “This might not be the key to the kingdom of all kingdoms, but I’m truly honored to receive a key that encourages and reminds me to keep the faith and stay the course.”
Gill’s legacy speaks for itself: a career spanning over four decades, No. 1 records as both a solo artist and group member (New Edition, LSG), and a vocal range that’s both volcanic and timeless. His artistry, humility, and philanthropic work—particularly his 15-year commitment to children with autism through the L.A. Speech & Language Therapy Center—have earned him a reputation not just as an entertainer, but as a game changer.
Following a successful run with The Culture Tour (2022) and The Legacy Tour (2023) alongside New Edition, Gill has remained a defining voice in R&B. In November 2023, he and his New Edition brothers honored The Spinners with a stirring performance at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, and in 2024, New Edition sold out their debut residency shows at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas within an hour—leading to an extended stay through 2025.
Gill is also getting ready to shake the industry once again. On August 22, he’ll release his highly anticipated single “ONE NIGHT”, under his joint venture with The SRG Group | Virgin Music. The track is now available for pre-order, marking his powerful return to the charts and reminding fans that Johnny doesn’t follow trends—he sets them.
As the Rise Up NYC series continues throughout the summer—featuring partnerships with City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage and Globe Star Media—Gill’s recognition becomes a cultural bookmark. It’s a celebration not only of an artist who’s weathered and redefined the music industry, but also of a city that honors Black excellence in real time.
From Harlem to Las Vegas, and from Motown to J Skillz Records, Johnny Gill continues to prove one thing: he never just plays the game—he changes it. Every time.
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