Made in America hits snooze: Jay-Z’s festival in hiatus for second consecutive year

The festival was held on Labor Day Weekend

The Made In America Music Festival founded by Jay-Z has been canceled againLAPRESSE

Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway will remain silent for another year as the iconic Made in America festival, founded by Jay-Z, faces its second consecutive cancellation.

Made in America was held in September

The news, shared via the festival’s website, left fans disappointed and wondering about the fate of one of the city’s Labor Day weekend highlights.

No explicit reason was provided for the cancellation, leaving speculation rife among festival-goers.

However, the statement from the festival’s executive production team hinted at a reimagined experience, promising an exciting return in the future.

“As purveyors of change, the Made In America executive production team is reimagining a live music experience that affirms our love and dedication to music and the work we do. “We promise an exciting return to the festival,” the statement read.

The Made in America festival, renowned for its star-studded lineups and community engagement, has been a staple on the music scene since its inception in 2012.

However, the recent years have seen disruptions, with the pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020 and now the consecutive cancellations in 2023 and 2024.

Last year’s cancellation, announced just a month before the scheduled event, disappointed fans who were eagerly anticipating performances by artists like SZA, Lizzo, Mase, and Cam’ron.

The festival’s commitment to social causes and community engagement has been a driving force behind its popularity, drawing both local and international talent to its stages.

However, hopes remained high for a grand return in 2024, which now seems deferred once more.

Jay-Z focusing on other music endeavors

In light of the recent cancellation, attention turns to Jay-Z himself, whose recent public appearance at the Grammy Awards sparked headlines.

Accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Jay-Z used the platform to address the ongoing Grammy snubs faced by his wife, Beyoncé.

“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady. But she has more Grammys than anyone and has never won Album of the Year,” Jay-Z remarked, highlighting a longstanding issue with the awards.

His criticism of the Grammys isn’t new, with past boycotts and lyrical jabs echoing his dissatisfaction with the institution’s recognition.

As fans complain about the absence of Made in America for another year, the focus shifts to Jay-Z’s next moves, both in the music industry and beyond.