2023 marked the 50th anniversary of hip hop.
Hip hop is not only a genre, it’s a whole movement. It influenced today’s fashion, education, politics, technology, and pop culture all over the world. Before we go into the new year, here are a few of our favories celebrations that honored hip hop’s 50th birthday.
The 2023 Grammys hip-hop tribute
Questlove curated a hip hop trubute at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony and he did not disappoint. Viewers and attendees got on their feet to join performances from pioneers like Run-DMC, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Grandmaster Flash, Ice-T, Scarface, Too $hort, Method Man, Big Boi, Flavor Flav and Chuck D of Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, Nelly, and more. Future, GloRilla, Lil Baby, and Lil Uzi Vert also graced the stage to bring together a union of generations.
HOT 97 and WBLS present Hip-Hop Forever
On Sept. 15, Hot 97, WBLS hosted the Hip-Hop Forever concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden this fall for the Hip Hop Forever concert. The lineup of the star-studded event, curated by Funk Flex, included Wu-Tang, Mary J. Blige, Sean Paul, Diddy, Maxwell, Tyrese, EPMD, and more. Other legends such as CL Smooth, Redman, DJ Kool made guest appearances.
Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium
On Aug. 11, The Bronx’s legendary Yankee Stadium was transformed into a huge celebration of rap with Hip-Hop 50 Live. Some of the performers included Nas, Run-D.M.C., T.I., Cam’ron, Common, Roxanne Shante, Slick Rick, Trina, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Lil’ Kim, Wu-Tang Clan, Fat Joe, and Lauryn Hill, who was fashionably late.
The Book of HOV
Back in August, Roc Nation and the Brooklyn Public Library debuted “The Book of Hov,” a tribute exhibition honoring JAY-Z’s success journey. Spread out over two floors in the library’s central branch, it features “thousands of archived objects, including original recording masters, never-before-seen photos, iconic stage wear, prestigious awards and recognitions, as well as videos and artifacts from every facet on JAY-Z’s professional life.”
ONE Musicfest
The two-day music festival in Atlanta, Georgia back in October came with so many surprises. Janet Jackson brought out J. Cole as her special guest while T-Pain teared down the stage with his classics. Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil’ Kim, Kodak Black, and Brent Faiyaz were also amoungst the many performers. In honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, there was a special stage featuring Nelly, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Kid Capri, DJ Drama, 2 Live Crew’s Uncle Luke, Lady of Rage, Too $hort and more.
BET & MTV Awards Hip Hop Tribute
It seemed like everyone was celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop and trying to find different ways to celebrate this historic moment of the most popular genre and culture in the world. What better way to celebrate than at the MTV Hip Hop Awards.
At the BET Awards in Los Angeles, DJ Kid Capri capped off a whole night full of surprises throughout the years including performances by the Sugarhill Gang, Big Daddy Kane, D-Nice, Def Squad, T.I. Master P, Remy Ma, Trina, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh and more! Plus a CLASSIC honor to Busta Rhymes.
The network also celebrated the occasion during the Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta by celebrating the likes of Marley Marl, Swizz Beatz & Timbaland, DJ Red Alert, a celebration of DJ Drama’s classic mixtape series Gangsta Grillz and an awesome hat tip to So So Def with a special performance.
MTV Awards bridged the gap throughout the years with a medley that included Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and LL Cool J.
For more on the celebration of Hip Hop 50 throughout the year visit our official page!