Fergie Baby Recreates Harlem's History While Writing Harlem’s Future by NWO Sparrow
By reimagining the iconic 1958 “A Great Day In Harlem” photo, the rising hip-hop artist blends musical heritage with today’s street storytelling.

Rapid Review of "Good day to be in Harlem"
Beats: 10/10
Lyrics: 7/10
Concepts: 10 /10
Replay Value: 10/10
Roll-Out : 10/10
Visual Appeal: 10 /10
Fergie Baby Turns A Legendary Harlem Moment Into A Living Hip Hop Statement

Harlem is not just a place you visit. Harlem is a feeling that lives inside people long after they leave the 55 blocks that raised them. Every corner holds memories. Every storefront has a story. When music comes from Harlem, it rarely feels manufactured because the culture demands authenticity. The neighborhood has always been a birthplace for movements that stretch far beyond Manhattan. Growing up around Harlem energy means understanding that pride works differently there. Harlem pride is loud but it is also layered. It celebrates excellence while embracing struggle. The neighborhood has survived gentrification waves, cultural shifts, and economic battles, yet it continues to produce voices that reflect both survival and celebration. When an artist claims Harlem, they are claiming a legacy that carries pressure.
That is why when Fergie Baby released “Good Day To Be In Harlem,” the anticipation felt bigger than just another music video. The record already carried emotional weight through its sound. It felt like a love letter to the blocks that raised him. Bringing in FERG, formerly known as A$AP Ferg, added another level of Harlem credibility and generational connection that fans immediately recognized. FERG has always represented Harlem through fashion, energy, and fearless creativity. Pairing his artistic experience with the hunger and fresh perspective of Fergie Baby created a moment that felt like past and present shaking hands. I went into this video expecting a celebration. I left feeling like I watched a cultural time capsule being opened in real time.
When Harlem artists get visuals right, it never feels like they are just filming scenes. It feels like they are documenting history. That is exactly the expectation I carried when pressing play, and from the first frame, it was clear this video wanted to honor Harlem while still pushing forward.
I waited weeks for Fergie Baby "Good day to be in harlem" video, the song alone has a feel that would make anyone that is from the blocks of harlem be proud. With this being the official music video, I was excited to see what these Harlem knights would come up with together visually.
FERG himself is fashion forward and creative with his styles and visuals. Adding the new energy of Fergie Baby created a chemistry that feels natural rather than forced. This video is everything any fan of these two artists would imagine when Harlem pride meets visual storytelling.
Directed by Dre Hartwell with assistance from Mikey Mulch and Borleone Films, the video feels illuminated and full of energy. There are moments where the camera animation adds movement that makes the visuals feel alive without distracting from the story. The styling, pacing, and transitions carry a rhythm that mirrors the beat of the record itself. The aura of this video screams Harlem from start to finish.
Fergie Baby and FERG walk viewers through Harlem, but not the flashy and polished version that outsiders usually focus on. Instead, they take us into everyday neighborhood spaces that serve as the true backbone of the community. The cameras highlight barbershops filled with conversation and tradition. Hair salons filled with personality and culture. Diners that double as meeting spaces. NYCHA housing developments that hold generations of stories. The streets become characters themselves rather than just locations.
One of the standout visuals in this video is the recreation of the historic “A Great Day In Harlem” portrait that was originally shot in 1958 for Esquire Magazine. That photograph featured over fifty jazz musicians who helped shape American music culture. It has been recreated many times through art and music, but Fergie Baby delivers a live action, energetic version that connects jazz legacy with modern hip hop identity. Seeing that portrait recreated through movement instead of a still image adds emotional weight. It reminds viewers that Harlem continues to produce influential artists across generations. It also reinforces the idea that music culture evolves but its roots remain connected.
Both Fergie Baby and FERG speak about Harlem with a tone that feels similar to a rose growing from concrete. Their lyrics do not ignore hardship, but they choose to highlight beauty within struggle. The production supports that narrative perfectly. The video feels cinematic while still maintaining street authenticity. It tells a story without overcomplicating the message, allowing Harlem itself to remain the main character. The irony of this visual is that Harlem is often portrayed as a place people escape from once success arrives. Yet here we have two artists celebrating staying connected to the same environment that shaped them. In a world where artists often glamorize distance from their origins, this video reminds viewers that sometimes the real flex is never disconnecting from where you started.
The X-Files

Visualizer Play by Play
Beats: 10/10
The production is crisp and emotionally layered. The beat captures the heartbeat of Harlem in a way that feels both nostalgic and modern. This type of production creates the foundation for a potential hit because it connects emotionally and sonically.
Lyrics: 7/10
The storytelling gift is clearly present throughout the record. This track does not aim to be a lyrical showcase filled with punchlines or complex rhyme patterns. Instead, the lyrics focus on painting imagery.
Concepts: 10/10
Bringing life to the iconic 1958 Harlem portrait through hip hop visuals deserves recognition. The concept bridges historical culture with modern expression in a way that feels respectful and creative. It honors Harlem’s musical legacy while showing that today’s artists continue that influence. The execution proves that the concept was carefully thought out rather than used as a quick visual reference.
Replay Value: 10/10
The replay value for this record is extremely high, especially for listeners connected to Harlem culture.
Roll-Out: 10/10
The rollout strategy was direct and effective. Targeting fans through focused media appearances allowed anticipation to grow naturally. Holding the remix featuring FERG until the right moment created additional excitement without oversaturating promotion.
Visual Appeal: 10/10
Dre Hartwell, Mikey Mulch, and Borleone Films successfully bring Harlem to life in real time. The camera work feels immersive, placing viewers directly inside the neighborhood experience. The color tones, location choices, and pacing build an authentic atmosphere that supports the song’s emotional message.
Watching this video reminded me why Harlem continues to shape music culture across generations. It is not just about artists representing their neighborhood. It is about artists preserving the spirit of a place that constantly evolves while refusing to lose its identity. Fergie Baby approaches this record with respect for Harlem’s past while still presenting his own voice. That balance is difficult for rising artists because honoring legacy can sometimes overshadow individuality. Instead, he uses history as a foundation rather than a limitation.
FERG’s presence reinforces the connection between eras of Harlem influence. He represents a generation that expanded Harlem culture into global fashion and music spaces. Seeing him alongside Fergie Baby creates a symbolic passing of energy that feels organic rather than forced.
The most powerful part of this video is the reminder that Harlem does not need reinvention to stay relevant. Harlem only needs artists willing to tell its story honestly. “Good Day To Be In Harlem” succeeds because it embraces that truth without apology.
About the Creator
NWO SPARROW
NWO Sparrow — The New Voice of NYC
I cover hip-hop, WWE & entertainment with an edge. Urban journalist repping the culture. Writing for Medium.com & Vocal, bringing raw stories, real voices & NYC energy to every headline.




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