“If you remember anything from tonight, remember this one thing: I ain’t s— without you,” proclaimed Lil Wayne on the Hip Hop 50 Reside live performance on Friday (Aug. 11). As tens of hundreds of followers descended upon Yankee Stadium within the Bronx, New York, to have a good time the fiftieth anniversary of some of the necessary and influential artwork kinds on the planet, Wayne’s message was confirmed appropriate.
Hip Hop 50 Reside, which featured headliners Run-D.M.C. of their remaining present, was a celebration of the style’s roots and evolution as a lot because it was a celebration of the followers and neighborhood which have saved pushing the tradition ahead for 50 years and counting. That includes a crowd as various as New York Metropolis itself, the live performance positioned a heavy emphasis on honoring the style’s pillars corresponding to The Sugarhill Gang and Melle Mel. From undisputed icons like Roxanne Shante to new-school innovators like A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Friday night time’s live performance was the bodily embodiment of the cross-generational affect of hip-hop.
Assembling a lineup that successfully conveys the cultural, regional, sexual, and generational range of a style as multilayered as hip-hop isn’t any straightforward job. Whereas the present was notably missing in up to date stars, the live performance’s lineup was greater than able to fascinating the large stadium. Performances included units from Nas, Lil Wayne, Ice Dice, Wiz Khalifa, Ghostface Killah, Frequent, Lupe Fiasco, Cam’Ron, T.I., Lil’ Kim, Trina, Remy Ma, Fats Joe, Slick Rick, EPMD, Snoop Dogg and extra.
Hip Hop 50 Reside particularly commemorated a legendary celebration at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue hosted by Cindy Campbell and DJed by DJ Kool Herc — a celebration that birthed hip-hop. As such, the celebration took issues all the way in which again to the start. The Sugarhill Gang delighted the viewers with a rousing rendition of “Rapper’s Delight,” which is broadly thought to be the primary commercially launched hip-hop music, and rap pioneer Grandmaster Caz rocked the home with performances of “It’s Us,” amongst different Chilly Crush Brothers picks.
In fact, hip-hop is about extra than simply the rappers. DJs additionally obtained their due at Friday’s live performance, with legendary DJs like Marley Marl and Mannie Recent holding the power flowing with units that ceaselessly highlighted the sub-genres and sounds of hip-hop not current on the official invoice.
Because the night time transitioned into lengthier units, each Lil Wayne and T.I. reminded attendees that each have an countless stream of hits throughout eras and genres. T.I. held it down for the South and 20 years of Entice Muzik with a set that included such hits as “Swagga Like Us,” “Whatever You Like,” and “Live Your Life.” Lil Wayne, who masterfully tore by means of numerous anthems, pulled out hits like “A Milli,” “Uproar,” “I’m Goin’ In,” and a merciless tease of “Back That Azz Up,” that left the gang hanging.
Hip Hop 50 Reside was co-produced by Mass Enchantment, Reside Nation, and the New York Yankees. Emmy Award-winner BASSic Black Leisure CEO Adam Blackstone and producer and keyboardist Omar Edwards served because the live performance’s artistic music administrators.
Listed below are the 8 finest moments of Hip Hop 50 Reside:
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Doug E. Recent Transforms Into ‘Human Beat Field’
Picture Credit score: Danny Vasquez/Mass Enchantment The pioneer of beatboxing as we all know it, Doug E. Recent, reminded the world why he’s nicknamed the “Human Beat Box.” Throughout Snoop Dogg’s set, Doug E. Recent sauntered towards the center of the stage and proceeded to ship practically 5 minutes of uninterrupted beatboxing. Oozing with depth and clearly working in an area of otherworldly expertise, he captivated Yankee Stadium not like every other act at Hip-Hop 50. All through his solo showcase, rows of individuals continued to rise to their toes, merely hooked on the uncooked expertise and verve on show.
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A Boogie Wit da Hoodie Reps the New Faculty
Highbridge-bred rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie held down many a New York summer time throughout the 2010s, and he obtained a much-deserved likelihood to indulge in his success and affect at Friday night time’s live performance. From “Look Back At It” and “Drowning” to “Jungle” and “My S—,” A Boogie represented up to date hip-hop amidst a setlist that skewed closely in direction of the old-fashioned. Watching him carry out on the legendary Yankee Stadium only a few blocks down from the place he grew up was one of many night time’s most touching moments. A Boogie additionally acquired a proclamation from the Hood Caucus courtesy of Bronx Councilman Kevin Riley, one other testomony to the affect of his voice.
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Ghostface Killah Hosts Wu-Tang Clan Mini-Reunion
Maybe the largest takeaway from Hip Hop 50 Reside was simply how deadly the outdated heads nonetheless are in the case of rapping reside. Forgotten lyrics and heavy backing tracks are inclined to muddy some up to date hip-hop performances, however giants of the style like Ghostface Killah — who hilariously donned a Crimson Sox cap at Yankee Stadium — don’t fall sufferer to these issues. Given the intensely collaborative nature of Wu-Tang Clan’s solo endeavors, it was solely proper that Ghostface introduced out Technique Man, Cappadonna, and Inspectah Deck. The Wu-Tang Clan members carried out classics corresponding to “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F— Wit,” “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” and “Ice Cream.” Their set additionally offered some nice moments of camaraderie between the members — particularly Ghost and Meth.
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Snoop Dogg Bridges Generations & Reps the West Coast
Picture Credit score: Danny Vasquez/Mass Enchantment At Hip Hop 50 Reside, Snoop Dogg delivered some of the beloved units of the night time. From “Drop It Like It’s Hot” to “Gin and Juice,” Snoop Doggy Canine saved the hits flowing, however, in true hip-hop vogue, his efficiency was about his personal legacy simply as a lot because it was about honoring rap’s pioneers and highlighting the place the style is headed. Snoop introduced out hip-hop pillars EPMD, “Blow the Whistle” rapper Too $hort, and the legendary Slick Rick, who got here decked out in his trademark eyepatch and a dramatically tilted fedora, and allowed every act to take up area with their particular person sounds and traditional information. The West Coast rap icon additionally confirmed some like to new college stars Flo Milli and Scar Lip, who delivered a characteristically fiery efficiency of her rousing “This Is New York.”
A part of Snoop’s set merged with Wiz Khalifa’s. The 2 carried out “Young, Wild & Free” earlier than launching into “See You Again,” which served because the soundtrack for the second in-memoriam-esque section of the night time — a reminder that celebrating 50 years of hip-hop additionally means remembering the staggering variety of artists we have now misplaced over the previous few many years.
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Queens of Hip-Hop Reign Supreme
For a tradition that continues to grapple with a lot misogyny and misogynoir, it’s nothing in need of poetic that Black ladies are at the moment among the style’s strongest voices. It’s additionally no shock that Black ladies delivered among the finest all-around performances of Hip Hop 50 Reside.
Bronx rapper Remy Ma delivered a set that flaunted her commanding stage presence and solo hits like “Conceited.” Trina reminded the stadium why she is the blueprint for a whole subgenre of Southern feminine rap with a scintillating set that includes renditions of “Da Baddest B—-” and “Here We Go.” Breakout Brooklyn-bred rapper Lola Brooke additionally popped out for a quick efficiency of her signature hit “Don’t Play With It.”
Nonetheless, it was Lil’ Kim who delivered essentially the most fully-realized set of the Queens of Hip-Hop section. Launched by a royal courtroom setup full with flags emblazoned along with her iconic album covers, Lil Kim emerged from the underside of the stage and handled followers to performances of “All About the Benjamins” and “Big Momma Thang.” Kim spent the vast majority of her set interacting with the gang, actually taking in simply how monumental Yankee Stadium is — and what it means for hip-hop to occupy such an iconic venue.
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Fats Joe Brings Massive Boricua Vitality to the Stage
Picture Credit score: Danny Vasquez/Mass Enchantment Greater than every other performer’s, Fats Joe’s set actually highlighted the range and breadth of hip-hop tradition. Preceded by a quick efficiency by Loopy Legs of Rock Regular Crew and famed bboy Gravity, Fats Joe entered the stage with large Puerto Rican flags waving in entrance of him. The rapper, who was visibly overcome with a deep reverence for the second, ran by means of hits like “What’s Luv” and “All the Way Up,” bringing out Ashanti, Terror Squad, and paying tribute to Massive Pun within the course of.
Infamous for his wider body, Fats Joe flaunted his slimmer physique as soon as he took off his shirt and carried out the second half of his set fully topless. Concurrently, a real celebration of the Latinx affect on hip-hop’s creation and a testomony to the sprawling affect of Terror Squad, Fats Joe’s set was the most effective moments of Hip-Hop 50 Reside.
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Run-D.M.C. Rock Yankee Stadium With Last Present
Picture Credit score: Danny Vasquez/Mass Enchantment Simply earlier than 1:30 a.m. EST, Kings of Rock Run-D.M.C. lastly took the stage at Hip Hop 50 Reside. Though the present had been operating for round eight hours earlier than the legendary hip-hop duo graced the stage, followers remained glued to their seats for the possibility to bask within the remaining efficiency from some of the necessary musical acts of the final fifty years.
For his or her remaining present, Run and DMC carried out with the identical vigor and spunk that helped them develop into some of the necessary names in hip-hop historical past. The 2 rappers ran up and down the stage as they carried out seminal hits like “It’s Tricky” and “Walk This Way.” As hip-hop and capitalism have develop into more and more married all through the style’s evolution, it was attention-grabbing to observe Run-D.M.C. flaunt their progressive Adidas partnership with whole sections of the gang holding up the three-striped shoe in honor of the group. At a number of factors throughout the night time, Run requested that each one the stage lights be reduce, casting the stadium in darkness till the primary few notes of their greatest hits blasted by means of the audio system. Run-D.M.C. could have been doing this since ’83, however they nonetheless know tips on how to placed on a rattling good present.
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Nas Honors Hip-Hop’s Forefathers & Delivers Highly effective Profession-Spanning Efficiency
Picture Credit score: Danny Vasquez/Mass Enchantment For Nas, who just lately launched his fifth Hit-Boy-produced album in simply three years, the phrase “slowing down” isn’t in his vocabulary. One among Billboard’s 2023 Hip-Hop Corridor of Fame inductees, Nas is celebrating his fiftieth birthday this 12 months, alongside each hip-hop and the Timberland boot, two intrinsic elements of his artwork and persona. The Queens rapper celebrated the momentous event with a fascinating set that paid a heartfelt tribute to hip-hop’s pioneers, held area for Ms. Lauryn Hill and Fugees, and centered what makes him so beloved — the conviction of each his lyrics and his supply of them.
Along with bringing out hip-hop large Kool G Rap, Nas additionally introduced out DJ Kool Herc, Cindy Campbell, and their mom Nettie Campbell. Watching Nas, a legend in his personal proper, humbly thank DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell for his or her seismic contributions to artwork and tradition was the one defining second of Hip-Hop 50 Reside. An unparalleled stage of real admiration and reverence stuffed the stadium, particularly as soon as Nas kissed the hand of Ms. Nettie Campbell. The “N.Y. State of Mind” rapper additionally introduced out Ms. Lauryn Hill, who wowed followers with a shock medley of classics like “Ready or Not,” “Doo Wop (That Thing),” and “Fu-Gee-La,” whereas donning a scorching pink tutu ensemble with towering black stilettos.
It was Nas’ rendition of “One Mic,” nonetheless, that actually elevated his set above the remainder of the live performance. From the brooding crescendoes of the music’s reside association to the timeless lyrics that glorify the microphone — arguably the first device for transposing the facility and necessity of hip-hop’s fearless truth-telling to the world — “One Mic” shone because the crown jewel of Nas’ set. Rapping with a peerless conviction for the sanctity of the tradition, Nas delivered an unforgettable efficiency to have a good time 50 years of hip-hop.