Rap icons rock Yankee Stadium to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop
During Hip Hop 50 Live — an epic celebration of hip-hop’s golden anniversary that ran from Friday night through Saturday morning at New York’s Yankee Stadium — there was a brief moment that allowed for a quick reality check.
Between DJing Kid Capri and a break-dancing segment with Rock Steady Crew legend Crazy Legs, Yankee legend Derek Jeter threw what felt like the biggest block party on earth and reminded you it was indeed the home of the Bronx Bombers.
But on that unforgettable night, the stadium belonged to hip-hop – the music and groundbreaking culture that DJ Kool Herc launched 50 years ago, on August 11, 1973, at a party in the South Bronx.
And with an expansive lineup that has included pioneering artists of the Golden Age (Run-DMC, Slick Rick), West Coast rap kings (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube) and masters of the new millennium (Lil Wayne, TI), is the marathon for seven hours. Also, the concert felt like hip-hop’s Live Aid. It was so historic.
In a genre known for its hype, it surpassed it.
And if there had to be an MVP in this all-star extravaganza, it had to be New York’s own Nas. Taking the stage after midnight as the penultimate artist, he kicked off with his “Illmatic” classic “NY State of Mind” and embodied the power of “One Mic” before concluding with the “Stillmatic” hit.
Nas also brought along the night’s biggest – and best – surprise guest in Lauryn Hill, who joined him on their joint “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” in 1996 before wowing the crowd with “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Fugees” thrilled favorites like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Fu-Gee-La.”
And it was Nas’ Mass Appeal company that co-produced the event. It’s certainly a testament to the respect and energy he has now as an Elder Statesman — as he points out, he turns 50 himself next month — that so many generational giants come together for a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
In what felt like a single highlight reel, Fat Joe stood out among the crowd, whipping up the crowd with hits like “Lean Back” and surprise guests like Ashanti (“What’s Luv?”) and legendary rapper KRS . One (“Bronx Tale”). And the Bronx-born MC, who’s lost about 200 pounds, even wore his shirt to flaunt his weight loss.
Then there was Snoop Dogg, who 30 years after the release of his classic “Doggystyle” debut had his fans huffing and swooning on “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “The Next Episode,” and “Nothing But a ‘G’.” . thang.”
And when he brought in Slick Rick and a beatboxing Doug E. Fresh to play “Lodi Dodi,” there was goosebumps in the air on this perfect summer evening.
