Returning to the birthplace of hip-hop, a legendary celebration took place at the iconic Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to commemorate the genre’s 50th birthday. With three dozen performers and a crowd of nearly 50,000, this eight-hour event honored the classic rappers who pioneered the sound and those who proudly carried the rap torch, recognizing the historic and global impact of hip-hop on pop culture.
The night was a testament to the universal love for rap, with Nas and Snoop Dogg taking center stage and paying homage to those who came before them. During his set, Nas brought out hip-hop founding father DJ Kool Herc and expressed to the crowd, “This is our love. This is our bloodline.” Herc, 68 years old, received a standing ovation and had been recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nas also had Kool G Rap join him onstage, referring to him as his “motherfucking inspiration.”
Lauryn Hill surprised the crowd by joining Nas onstage to perform their collaborations “If I Ruled the World” and “Nobody.” She then delivered a fiery performance of her past hits, including “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and the Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not.” Nas paid tribute to Hill by bowing down to her and proclaiming, “Happy Birthday hip-hop!” as she left the stage. Nas expressed his love and admiration, telling Hill, “I love you queen.”
Snoop Dogg also displayed camaraderie onstage, dancing like a proud fan during performances by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. The audience cheered for Doug E. Fresh’s beatboxing skills, shouting, “Go, go Dougie!” After EPMD’s performance during Snoop Dogg’s set, he thanked the rap kingpins for their influence on his career.
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Snoop Dogg brought out DJ Hollywood and Too Short, whose performances won over the crowd. Fresher faces in hip-hop, such as Flo Milli and Scar Lip, also joined Snoop Dogg onstage. Additionally, Wiz Khalifa made an appearance during Snoop Dogg’s set, where he performed the Paul Walker tribute song, “See You Again.” The larger screen displayed the faces of rappers who have passed away, including the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, DMX, Nipsey Hussle, Nate Dogg, Takeoff, Pop Smoke, XXXTentacion, and more. Khalifa paid tribute to these fallen soldiers, stating, “Shout out to all the fallen soldiers out there. This night is about y’all as well.”
Headlining the event, Run-DMC took the stage at 1:20 a.m. on Saturday morning, closing the historic celebration with an explosive performance. Other top performers included Lil Wayne, who garnered roaring cheers from the audience, and Fat Joe, who proudly performed shirtless and brought out KRS-One, Peter Gunz, Remy Ma, and Ashanti.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, a Bronx native, also performed and received the NYC Council Proclamation, proudly holding the framed honor above his head as the audience erupted in cheers. The star-studded lineup continued with performances by Wu-Tang Clan, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, T.I., Cam’ron, Mobb Deep’s Havoc, Trina, and more. Kid Capri surprised the audience by presenting Yankee all-star Derek Jeter, who expressed his gratitude to the famed DJ for inviting him to the event. Jeter encouraged everyone to celebrate the 50 years of hip-hop while looking forward to the next 50 years.
The Hip Hop 50 Live Concert at Yankee Stadium was a monumental occasion that brought together rap legends and contemporary artists to honor the genre’s history and global influence. With a vibrant atmosphere and passionate performances, this celebration showcased the enduring legacy of hip-hop and its impact on popular culture.
