Nas is one of the best rappers of all time but has never forgotten those who paved the way for him. Paying tribute to some of the icons of hip-hop, Nas honored Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Cad, and Roxanne Shanté at the 2024 Grandmaster Awards.
Sponsored by Nas’s Paid in Full Foundation and held over the weekend in Las Vegas with E-40, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Doug E. Fresh, the King’s Disease rapper expressed the importance of the gala event.
In a post on Instagram, Nas shared his excitement about the gala and the distinguished honorees.
“The 2nd @paidinfullfoundation Grand Master Awards Congratulates pioneers Roxanne Shante, Grand Master Caz, and Kool Moe Dee! These innovators were at times uncredited, slept on, and if not for them there would be no us in Hip Hop,” Nas’ post read.
“They changed the World. We thank you,” his post continued. “ Thanks to The Horowitz’s, and many others who helped make this possible.”
He also shared a candid photo of Rakim and Scarface, who he honored in last year’s ceremony, along with Kool Moe Dee.
“Standing with ICONS, the Event curators who helped pick out some honorees. New Emcee’s killed the stage as well,” Nas’ post read. “I took the picture of Rakim after he handed Kool Moe Dee his Award! That moment has so much meaning.”
Nas went on to give a special tribute to his fellow Queendbridge representative Roxanne Shanté.
Nas Speaks:
“With The Queen @imroxanneshante an honoree of the @paidinfullfoundation Grand Master Awards happening later this eve,” Nas wrote.” Thank You Big Sis for your contributions to Hip Hop. What a moment to honor a game-changer who comes from where I’m from !! She started it all !”
Founded by Nas along with Steve Stoute, Ben Horowitz, venture capital co-founder, and Felicia Horowitz, the Paid In Full Foundation seeks to assist rappers who have gone through financial hardships and to honor the pioneers who never received the recognition they deserve.
The foundation’s mission is captured in a statement on its website: “Many of the most impactful original artists never received recognition proportional to their exceptional contributions to arts and culture. The Paid in Full Foundation aims to rectify that through its grantmaking program, by both honoring the people who built hip-hop and enabling them to pursue their creative and intellectual pursuits for the benefit of society.”
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