The 9 Free Concerts to See in New York City This Summer

Among the many things summer brings us, perhaps none is better than the FREE MUSIC. And this Summer NYC will be awash in it, with shows that we’d pay hella amounts to see. You won’t have to go searching for extra scratch for any of these shows. In fact, with this list, you could make it through the next three months and see nothing but good shows and wind up at August’s end with your bank account balance unchanged.

Here are the 9 free concerts to see in New York City this summer. (We’ve arranged the shows in chronological order.)

#1
Heineken Red Star Access and Kanye West presents G.O.O.D. Music

WHEN: June 9
WHERE: Manhattan (exact location TBD)

There’s no official time or place; we have only a date, June 9, 2011, a city, New York, and a performer, Kanye West. But even with a limited number of facts, this will still surely be one of the biggest free events the city will see all summer. Because of the show’s full title—Heineken Red Star Access and Kanye West presents G.O.O.D. Music on June 9th—we’re guessing some of ‘Ye’s labelmates might make appearances. Anyone want to wager a guess as to who it’ll be?

#2

Jadakiss

WHEN: June 14, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Apple Store, SoHo (103 Prince Street)

If you didn’t get the point by now, Jadakiss loves his fans. To show his appreciation, he’ll be putting on a free show at the Apple Store in SoHo. His performance is part of the store’s Black Music Month Live series. Be sure to check out Jada’s new mixtape, I Love You (A Dedication to My Fans).

#3

Mya

WHEN: June 21, 6 p.m.
WHERE: 1 Union Square E (Corner of 14th Street and 4th Avenue)

For 12 years, Mya has kept herself involved in the pop/r&b game, no easy feat in a genre where, with female performers especially, an inordinately high value is placed on looks. To get early admittance to this free Best Buy sponsored event, fans can purchase a copy of her new album, K.I.S.S., at the Best Buy in Union Square on Tuesday, June 14, and receive a wristband granting them early entry.

#4

Talib Kweli

WHEN: June 21, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Red Hook Park (Hicks and Lorraine Streets, Brooklyn)

The City Parks Foundations sponsors a number of free shows this summer, including this Talib Kweli concert. Expect to get your ears rattled and your mind expanded under the weight of Kweli’s simile heavy, whip smart flow. Kweli grew up in BK, making this show a home game for the dexterous emcee.

#5

Raekwon

WHEN: July 9, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Prospect Park Bandshell (9th Street and Prospect Park West)

Celebrate Brooklyn! is one of the best free music series in the city. This Lyricist Lounge co-signed event will be the show all the hip-hop heads will be checking out. Raekwon will be joined by Smif-n-Wessun, Joell Ortiz, Neek the Exotic & Large Professor, and Skyzoo. Something marvelous is being cooked up in Park Slope that you won’t want to miss.

#6

Slick Rick

WHEN: July 12, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Crotona Park (1682 Boston Road, Bronx)

Slick Rick comes to the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, for a free show. Rick’s 1988 debut, The Adventures of Slick Rick, remains one of the best albums the genre has seen. No one tells a story quite like the Ruler. After this show you can go home with a story of your own: tell your kids about how you saw royalty one evening in the Bronx.

#7

Ryan Leslie

WHEN: August 11, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Marcus Garvey Park (120th to 124th Streets)

Ryan Leslie, the silky voice r&b singer who’s penned hits for LL Cool J, Cassie, and Beyoncé will set a bedroom sort of mood in Harlem in August. The Harvard grad turned Grammy-nominated mogul will make for a great compliment to an evening with your girl. (This is all just a round about way of saying you might have sex because he sings so well.)

#8

Rakim and EPMD

WHEN: August 21, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Central Park SummerStage (69th Street and 5th Avenue)

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Paid in Full, the landmark album from Eric B. & Rakim. To anoint this, Rakim will give a free show as part of the Central Park SummerStage series. He’ll be joined by EPMD and Funkmaster Flex, making this an even more significant occasion for golden era hip-hop. Don’t sweat the technique, though.

#9

Afro-Punk Festival

WHEN: August 27 and 28
WHERE: Commodore Barry Park (266 Nassau Street, Brooklyn)

In what is easily the most star-studded free show of the summer, the seventh annual Afro-punk festival brings Janelle Monae, Cee-Lo Green, Santigold, Fishbone, Toro Y Moi, Jay Electronica, and more together for an amazing two days of live music. The festival will also feature the Nike Battle For the Streets Skate and BMX Competition, the largest street skate and BMX competition in the city, not to mention a custom bike show and an array of food trucks. Unstoppable.