The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame Museum & Entertainment Complex says it's halfway toward reaching its goal of opening in New York City by late 2010 after securing $10 million in funding.      

The HHHOF has two arms - the non-profit HHHOF Museum Foundation, which will oversee the museum, exhibits and community outreach with pioneers of rap, and the for-profit HHHOF Global Media Group, which will operate the restaurant, retail gift shop, concert lounge, TV studios, co-branded entertainment divisions, merchandising, special events, and corporate partnerships.      

The Advisory Board members include rap legends Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Bros, Rock Hall inductee Melle Mel, Kurtis Blow, Pebblee Poo, L.A. Sunshine and Kool Herc.      

In a statement, HHHOF said it will provide 300 jobs, internships, co-branded marketing opportunities, as well as educational events and outreach programs for the youth and families. The economic impact in the City of New York is expected to be over $350 million over five years, from on-site and off-site programming, tourism, B2B local commerce, consumer spending, and city tax revenues.       

The HHHOF "Hip-Hop-A-Thon" campaign kicks off with the launch of HipHopHOF.com, the official fan, artist and industry social networking web site and magazine set to go live on Dec. 4.

The first 1,000 VIP members to sign up will be invited to attend a special HHHOF Complex Unveiling Party during the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame Awards TV Show Week in NYC March 2010. The first 10,000 VIP members will have their names listed in the permanent HHHOF Founding Partners Exhibit inside the HHHOF Museum. All VIP members will receive two free gift choices of a collectible T-shirt, calendar or HOF anniversary DVD to be released in 2010.

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