To celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, we look back on the great moments of its legendary history, like the Hip-Hop 50 concert in New York.
On August 11, 2023, hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary. As a specialized media, we are committed to celebrating the glory of this culture that has become global. But while we delight in honoring pioneers, retracing pivotal moments in its storied history and rapping classics, New York City has seen the big picture. Inside the legendary Yankee Stadium, an exceptional concert was organized to retrace five decades of hip-hop. More than seven hours of live show, just that! We expected no less from the cradle of the movement.
The initiative is signed Run-DMC, which a few weeks before the event declared: “It’s an honor for me to take the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, and celebrate all of my heroes,” (Run) “August 11 is the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop! So… “Here in the Bronx,” where it all began, we will celebrate this historic moment in history! I’m honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this shy little kid from Queens to grow up to be the mighty king of rock! Thank you Hip-Hop!!!” (DMC).
Hip-Hop 50, a legendary concert
Obviously, the iconic duo did not celebrate alone since renowned artists from all generations followed one another during this legendary evening. MCs of course, but also legendary DJs: Among them, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Ice Cube, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Fat Joe, Kid Capri, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Eve, A $AP Ferg, Trina, TI, Cam’Ron, Method Man, Common, Doug E Fresh, Inspectah Deck, Chuck D, Cappadonna, EPMD, Havoc, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco, Slick Rick, DJ Kool Herc, Candy Campbell, Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Roxane Shante, Scorpio, The Sugarhill Gang, Battlecat, Chuck Chillout, Clark Kent, Drama, Hurricane, Mannie Fresh, Marley Marle & many more. A lot of surprise guests also came to put their stone to the building, like Lauryn Hill who took advantage of the author’s concert d’Illmatic to perform with him the classic “If I Ruled The World“.
Between an anthology performance and poignant tributes, this concert which will certainly be a milestone in the history of the movement has clearly put the small dishes in the big ones. Despite some big names unfortunately absent and a lot of technical problems during the live, the evening kept all its promises. No clash, no weapon, no fight under cover of any rivalry, just men and women gathered by the thousands around the same devouring passion: hip-hop.
If you want to relive the entire concert as if you were there, the replay is available on the Mass Appeal Youtube channel. At the sight of the images, we can only envy our American counterparts, failing that we were not entitled to a similar evening to celebrate French rap.
And France in all this?
For a long time, a debate has been raging among French rap fans: “Does our rap still have something to envy from US rap? “Even though certain artists and specialized media are convinced of it, this kind of event reminds us that we still have a long way to go and that no, French rap will never be superior to American rap. The reason being that unlike us, they know how to honor their heritage with dignity and respect the culture as it should.
Without wanting to shoot the ambulance, it is clear that in France, despite its unequaled influence, hip-hop is still despised by a large segment of the population. Conversely in the United States, it is deeply rooted in American popular culture and above all respected by the media and the country’s highest officials. And this Hip-Hop 50 concert is definitely proof of that.
Conversely with us, imagining that a concert of such magnitude is organized at the Stade de France with the pioneers of FR rap and representatives of the new generation (A ” Urban Peace 50 years” in short) is more fantasy than anything else. A dream even more inaccessible if we expect it to enjoy the same media enthusiasm in France as this 50s hip-hop in the US.
Of course, there are always passionate activist artists who campaign daily to defend and promote the richness of this culture born in the streets, but unfortunately they are not the most highlighted. We say that, but this August 11, 2023 had in parallel to this legendary concert in New York, the Demi Festival of Demi Portion in Sète. An event which, on its own scale, was able to celebrate hip-hop in all its grandeur.
2023-08-26 08:20:50
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