During a chance meeting backstage at the historic Hip Hop 50 Live concert at Yankee Stadium last weekend, Dipset general and Wu Tang Clan front man Ghostface Killah bumped heads and laughed about the time when Cam made a trip to Staten Island at “three in the morning” looking for the Wu legend.
“I seen that shit!” Ghostface Killah said as they both laughed at the nostalgic moment.
Twelve years ago, Cam took to the streets of Staten to track down Ghost just to give him his props. Cam recorded the footage of him interviewing several people who may lead him to Ironman himself.
“[He’s] one of my favorites, Top 5,” he said. “To me, it’s no filter with Ghostface, he’s not faking what he’s saying to me. Like, I believe everything he says. Don’t get me wrong, it be extra shit…you can’t put everything on wax, but when he does an interview or when he talks, I believe what he’s saying.”
Fat Joe says that performing at the Hip-Hop 50 Live concert at Yankee Stadium “felt like heaven.” He discussed the star-studded show with AllHipHop. The event also welcomed appearances from Run-DMC, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Slick Rick, EPMD, as well as several Wu-Tang Clan members, and even more artists.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s unreal,” Fat Joe told AllHipHop. “It’s like heaven. You died and woke up in heaven. What was best about [the event] was young boys with they own speakers outside it. [They were outside] Yankee Stadium rapping, freestyling. Then you had bands out there playing … We in the middle of the street having fun.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 12: Fat Joe performs at the fiftieth anniversary of Hip Hop block party near 1520 Sedgwick Ave on August 12, 2023 in The Bronx borough of New York City. On August 11th, 1973, Clive Campbell, also known as Kool Herc, and his sister Cindy Campbell organized a “jam” in the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. The event aimed to gather funds for school attire. Girls’ admission was 25 cents, while boys paid 50 cents. At that time, they were unaware that this party would be the beginning of the Hip Hop movement. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Not everyone has had such a positive response to the recent Hip-Hop 50 celebrations. Uncle Luke, for one, complained on social media about a lack of recognition for fellow Florida rappers at the events. He argued that he’s dealt with “disrespect towards Florida hip-hop” for years.
During an appearance on the AllHipHop podcast, Geto Boys rapper Willie D also took a negative opinion on the vents. He e explained: “Shit’s wack. Because a lot of it is being put on and presented by gatekeepers who don’t have the best interest of the culture at heart. And it’s a money grab for them. They’re picking and choosing who they think should receive praise, who should receive accolades.”
Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium was a MOMENT. Tons of Hip-Hop legends poured into the Bronx to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, including Fat Joe, who called the event “unreal.”
Speaking with Chuck Creekmur at AllHipHop, Joe said, “It’s like heaven. You died and woke up in heaven. What was best about [the event] was young boys with they own speakers outside it. [They were outside] Yankee Stadium rapping, freestyling. Then you had bands out there playing … We in the middle of the street having fun.”
Yankee Stadium was full of rhymes, beats, and pure Hip Hop energy as legendary artists and rising stars converged for a monumental celebration – Hip Hop 50 Live. A star-studded concert extravaganza honoring the 50th birthday of the iconic music genre took center stage in a historic event co-produced by Mass Appeal, Live Nation, and the New York Yankees.
The lineup read like a who’s who of hip-hop history, with the likes of Run DMC, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Ice Cube igniting the stage. A cascade of performances kept the crowd grooving, from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s modern flair to the timeless presence of Kid Capri and the lyrical prowess of Lil Kim and Remy Ma. The legacy continued with appearances by pioneers such as Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, and Roxanne Shante, creating an unforgettable fusion of past and present.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Special guests, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, and baseball icon Derek Jeter added a touch of prestige to the jubilant affair. Hip Hop luminaries like Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang, Method Man, and Wiz Khalifa ensured that the celebration resonated with true aficionados.
Hip Hop 50 wasn’t just a concert; it was Mass Appeal’s heartfelt tribute to the very essence of hip-hop. The event encapsulated the company’s deep commitment to honoring the culture through dynamic storytelling, original music, and immersive experiences. The Hip Hop 50 Universe encompassed a charitable mission intertwined with the Universal Hip Hop Museum, exemplifying the power of music to make a positive impact.
As the beats echoed through the iconic stadium, the hip-hop community came together to mark a milestone – 50 years of rhythm, rhyme, and cultural revolution. The legacy of this event will reverberate far beyond the stage, leaving an indelible mark on the history of music and the hearts of fans everywhere.
You can see images from the monumental night below and rewatch the evening above.
Yankee Stadium was full of rhymes, beats, and pure Hip Hop energy as legendary artists and rising stars converged for a monumental celebration – Hip Hop 50 Live. A star-studded concert extravaganza honoring the 50th birthday of the iconic music genre took center stage in a historic event co-produced by Mass Appeal, Live Nation, and the New York Yankees.
The lineup read like a who’s who of hip-hop history, with the likes of Run DMC, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Ice Cube igniting the stage. A cascade of performances kept the crowd grooving, from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s modern flair to the timeless presence of Kid Capri and the lyrical prowess of Lil Kim and Remy Ma. The legacy continued with appearances by pioneers such as Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, and Roxanne Shante, creating an unforgettable fusion of past and present.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Special guests, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, and baseball icon Derek Jeter added a touch of prestige to the jubilant affair. Hip Hop luminaries like Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang, Method Man, and Wiz Khalifa ensured that the celebration resonated with true aficionados.
Hip Hop 50 wasn’t just a concert; it was Mass Appeal’s heartfelt tribute to the very essence of hip-hop. The event encapsulated the company’s deep commitment to honoring the culture through dynamic storytelling, original music, and immersive experiences. The Hip Hop 50 Universe encompassed a charitable mission intertwined with the Universal Hip Hop Museum, exemplifying the power of music to make a positive impact.
As the beats echoed through the iconic stadium, the hip-hop community came together to mark a milestone – 50 years of rhythm, rhyme, and cultural revolution. The legacy of this event will reverberate far beyond the stage, leaving an indelible mark on the history of music and the hearts of fans everywhere.
You can see images from the monumental night below and rewatch the evening above.
Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and many more artists will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at Mass Appeal & Live Nation’s Hip Hop 50 Live event on August 11 at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. A poster for the event lists Run-D.M.C. as the “Bottom Of The 9th, The Walk-Off,” for the event.
“I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” Run told Rolling Stone with the announcement. D.M.C. added: “August is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So ’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!”
INDIO, CA – APRIL 16: Guest rapper Snoop Dogg perform onstage with rapper Ice Cube during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Trina, and more will also be comprising a “Queens of Hip Hop” set for the event. Others include a “Pillars of Hip-Hop” set featuring Kool Herc & Cindy Campbell, Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Roxanne Shante, Scorpio, and the Sugar Hill Gang. It also has a “Legendary DJ” set that boasts Clark Kent, Marley Marl, Mannie Fresh, and Battlecat. Further performers at Hip Hop 50 Live include T.I., Fat Joe, Common, A$AP Ferg, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco, and Slick Rick. A press release notes that they will announce more performers soon.
The Hip Hop 50 Live Lineup
Image Via Live Nation
Presale tickets for Hip Hop 50 Live will go on sale this Thursday, June 8 with a general sale on the following day. Tickets start as low as $50. Check out the full lineup above.
This August, Yankee Stadium will host Hip-Hop 50 Live, a star-studded concert paying homage to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. To call the lineup “star-studded” would be doing it an injustice; it’s fair to say that the names billed include nothing short of hip-hop legends. Headlined by rap pioneers Run-DMC, the lineup includes Common, Eve, Fat Joe, Ghostface Killah, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Remy Ma, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Trina, and more.
Hip-hop pioneers Grandmaster Caz, Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Roxanne Shante will headline a Pillars of Hip-Hop set, while Eve, Kim, Remy, and Trina will front a Queens Of Hip-Hop set. DJs such as Battlecat, Clark Kent, Mannie Fresh, and Marley Marl will spin, as well.
The event is billed for August 11, 2023 — which is what’s remembered as hip-hop’s official 50th birthday, the anniversary of the Kool Herc-led block party widely recognized as the moment the culture officially gelled into the foundation of what came after. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, June 8.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Run said, “I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” while his partner-in-rhyme DMC added, “August is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So ’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!”
Latin superstar Bad Bunny will make his VMA’s return in epic fashion, with an exclusive “made for VMAs” performance with never-before-seen choreography, as MTV goes live from Yankee Stadium as part of “Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour.”
This marks the first VMA’s appearance from Bad Bunny since 2019, where he made a memorable debut performance of “Que Pretendes” with J Balvin. He scored his first Moon Person in 2018 for “Song of the Summer.”
The 9x nominee is up for two major categories this year (“Artist of the Year” and “Best Latin”) and two social categories (“Album of the Year” and “Song of the Summer”); a win for “Artist of the Year” would be history-making and crown him the first-ever non-English language artist to take home a Moon Person in the category.
Currently, the “Un Verano Sin Ti” artist just kicked off his first stadium tour across the U.S. and Latin America, setting the record for the highest-grossing concert in each of the venues he has performed so far and the highest-grossing concert by a Latin act.
This also marks MTV’s first-ever live remote VMA’s performance to air from Yankee Stadium. The 2022 MTV VMA’s will air Sunday, August 28th at 8PM ET/PT.
Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.
Latin superstar Bad Bunny will make his VMA’s return in epic fashion, with an exclusive “made for VMAs” performance with never-before-seen choreography, as MTV goes live from Yankee Stadium as part of “Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour.”
This marks the first VMA’s appearance from Bad Bunny since 2019, where he made a memorable debut performance of “Que Pretendes” with J Balvin. He scored his first Moon Person in 2018 for “Song of the Summer.”
The 9x nominee is up for two major categories this year (“Artist of the Year” and “Best Latin”) and two social categories (“Album of the Year” and “Song of the Summer”); a win for “Artist of the Year” would be history-making and crown him the first-ever non-English language artist to take home a Moon Person in the category.
Currently, the “Un Verano Sin Ti” artist just kicked off his first stadium tour across the U.S. and Latin America, setting the record for the highest-grossing concert in each of the venues he has performed so far and the highest-grossing concert by a Latin act.
This also marks MTV’s first-ever live remote VMA’s performance to air from Yankee Stadium. The 2022 MTV VMA’s will air this Sunday, August 28th at 8PM ET/PT.
Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.
