A Grammy Salute To 50 Years of Hip-Hop Celebrates All Era's of Rap
LL Cool J backstage at the Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop Celebration.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop almost pulled off the seemingly impossible task of commemorating a five-decade history without noticeably leaving anything out. The lineup, which included rap acts from almost every region, era, and subgenre, succeeded in doing so. The scene was set for hundreds of Hip-Hop fans to come together in celebration of the culture back in November. At the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, patrons enjoyed food trucks and on-site bars under the moonlight before the show began.
The world was able to enjoy the show as Hip-hop icons were honored by CBS and the Recording Academy®TM last night on CBS Presents "A GRAMMY SALUTE TO 50 YEARS OF HIP-HOP," which aired on the CBS Television Network and now streaming on Paramount+. The live concert special highlighted and commemorated the genre's rich cultural heritage and significant global influence.
LL Cool J hosted the event, which featured performances by Regina Hall and Seth Rogan. Queen Latifah sang a song honoring the women of hip-hop alongside J.J. Fad, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shanté, Latto, Remy Ma, and other artists. Other jams featured the best of the South (Boosie Badazz, Three 6 Mafia, GloRilla, T.I.), and the West Coast (DJ Quik, E-40, Too $hort, YG, DJ Mustard, Warren G, Lady of Rage, Roddy Ricch). Public Enemy, Black Thought, Digable Planets, Black Sheep, De La Soul, Common, Arrested Development (who took home the 1993 Best New Artist Grammy in the hip-hop category), and a host of other artists performed throughout the night.
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, who became the first to win a Grammy for "Best Rap Performance" in 1989 for their song "Parents Just Don't Understand," were a noteworthy highlight of the evening. Exactly one year later, the pair made history as the first hip-hop group to perform on the Grammy stage. Throughout the show, Smith thanked the other rappers who had helped them the year before and were instrumental in getting them the opportunity to perform on such a grand stage. His remarks came before D.J. Jazzy Jeff launched into a performance of "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson."
A segment of the show that Jennifer Hudson referred to as a tribute to the idea that "Hip-Hop is freedom" takes place during additional performances. With the Jungle Brothers, Kool DJ Red Alert, Common, Queen Latifah, Arrested Development, Talib Kweli, De La Soul, and The Pharcyde shining on the library-themed stage, a celebration of the Native Tongues collective got underway.
DJ D Nice and Doug E. Fresh honored musicians who had passed away by performing together to inspire despite the depressing occasion.
Doug E. Fresh shouted, "Make some noise if you're happy to be alive. "Stand up and honor those who are not present out of respect for them. As a celebration rather than a memorial. We're going to get started and do our thing.”
Performers return to the stage to close out the Grammy’s Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop celebration.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
To close the show the artists returned to the stage where they embraced, rapped, and danced as part of a movement that went beyond music. If you missed it last night, you can still check out the show right now on Paramount+.
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