*After a sold-out show of Hip Hop Pioneers last week coordinated by the legendary DJ Cassidy at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City, DJ Cassidy announced that another one is coming September 2nd at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Iheart Radio’s popular Power 105 station sponsored the historic Hip Hop Celebration, brought to the city by the Black Promoters Collective, that honored and showcased the pioneers of hip-hop during this 50th Anniversary year. Fifty icons from Hip Hop’s Golden Era commemorated the culture’s 50th anniversary and graced the stage in an epic three-hour concert.
DJ Cassidy, renowned for spinning at high-profile parties hosted by the likes of Jay Z, Beyoncé, Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, and many more, says this event represented more than just a concert; it marked a transformative moment in bridging generations through the spirit of celebration. The 50th-anniversary celebration of Hip Hop was his way of paying homage to the genre’s birthplace, New York City.
“Tonight is a celebration of hip hop. Where it all began, New York City. The place where I was born,” Cassidy passionately addressed the sold-out crowd. “This is how we celebrate Hip Hop 50.”
The lineup for the event was nothing short of legendary, featuring iconic MCs such as Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Rakim, Slick Rick, KRS-One, Melle Mel, and many others. The artists took the stage one after another, each delivering electrifying performances that resonated with the audience’s hearts and souls. The night was filled with nostalgia, showcasing the influential music that shaped an entire cultural movement.
Kid (Christopher Reid) tells iHeart Radio’s Jazmyn ‘Jaz’ Summers “I think Kid and Play are a brick in the wall, a very vast wall representing hip hop over 50 years. They ain’t never had this many rappers or black people here for one night.”
He reflected on the iconic status of his break-out movie “House Party,” “ House party has become synonymous with the hip hop culture. We love it. New generations are always getting exposed to it. It’s kind of weird when 12-year-olds are chasing you down, but that’s a good thing. That means they raising these kids. right.”
Treach of Naughty By Nature humorously thanked the haters who predicted that Hip Hop would only last five more years, proving them wrong and celebrating the genre’s longevity.
‘It’s the 50th year hip hop but before I even came out of hip hop I heard every year from different people, from rock stars, that that rap stuff wouldn’t last more than five years, Every time they said it, we just went harder, and now its 50 years, Thank you all haters. This is breaking news. Real hip-hop alert. We are here for all time. 50 years, We did that!!”
Grand Master Flash says the victory of hip-hop is inclusive, ” It’s not just about us or the DJ or the mc. It’s about everybody, the fans, everybody that grew up listening to it, buying the records. It’s about the whole culture.”
Rakim, a prominent figure in the history of rap, expressed his gratitude for being part of such a momentous celebration. “You know man, Hip Hop 50 has been an amazing celebration of the culture,” Rakim said. “To rock the stage with so many legendary artists was a blessing, and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Kurtis Blow, the first solo star in rap music, shared his excitement saying ” Hip Hop will always live on.”
The event’s conclusion brought to mind the words of the late Notorious B.I.G., who once pondered, “Whoever thought that Hip Hop would take it this far?” The celebration at Radio City Music Hall was a testament to the enduring impact of Hip Hop and its ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds, transcending time and boundaries.
You can catch the backstage fire and convos in the video immediately above. Video shot by Sean Bell @shotsbyseanbell on Instagram. And please don’t forget to subscribe to Jazmyn Summers’ youtube.
Interview/article by Jazmyn Summers. Follow her @jaztalk1 on Instagram and Facebook.
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