Rap icons rock Yankee Stadium to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop

music

by Chuck Arnold

August 12, 2023 | 9:20 a.m

There was a brief moment during Hip Hop 50 Live — an epic celebration of hip-hop’s golden anniversary that ran from Friday night into Saturday morning in New York’s Yankee Stadium — that offered a quick reality check.

Between DJ Kid Capri’s set and a breakdancing piece featuring Rock Steady Crew legend Crazy Legs, Yankee legend Derek Jeter crashed what felt like the biggest party in the world and reminded you it was actually the home of the Bronx Bombers.

But on this unforgettable night, the stadium belonged to hip-hop—the music and game-changing culture that DJ Kool Herc birthed at a party in the South Bronx 50 years ago on August 11, 1973.

And with a lineup loaded that included players of the golden age (Run-DMC, Slick Rick), kings of western rap (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube) and masters of the new millennium (Lil Wayne, T.I.), the marathon, seven hours—plus a concert that felt like Live Aid for the music of hip hop. That was historical.

In a genre known for its noise, it surpassed it.

And if there had to be a MVP in this all-star extravaganza, it was New York’s Nas. Taking the stage after midnight as the penultimate performer, he kicked off his “Illmatic” classic “NY State of Mind” and fully embodied the power of “One Mic” before concluding with “Stillmatic.”

Nas also directed the biggest and best guest of the night on Lauryn Hill, who joined him on the 1996 syndicated “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” before delighting the crowd with “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and Fugees favorites like “Killing Me”. Softly with His Song” and “Fu-Gee-La”.

Mass Appeal was the co-producer of the event. It is certainly a testament to the respect and juice in him as a great statesman now – as he noted, he will turn 50 next month – that so many giants spanning generations came together for a once in a lifetime moment. .

On a night that felt like a long highlight reel, other standouts included Fat Joe, who drew crowds along the way with hits like “Lean Back” and surprise guests including Ashanti (“What Luv?”) and legendary rapper KRS-One ( “The Bronx Tale”). And even the Bronx-born MC, who lost about 200 pounds, went shirtless to show off his weight loss.

Then there was Snoop Dogg, who, 30 years after his classic “Doggystyle” first released, had fans huffing and dying outdoors for “Drop It Like It Hot,” “The Next Episode” and “Nothing But a “G” thang.” .”

And when Slick Rick and beatboxing Doug E. Fresh brought in to do “Lodi Dodi,” there was a chill in the air on this perfect summer night.