Amy Sussman/Filmmagic
New York City’s Hot 97 celebrates 50 years of hip-hop at Madison Square Garden, the music capital where hip-hop originated. The gala, currently scheduled for September 15th, will be hosted by special guests Mariah Carey and Maxwell, two artists who exemplify hip-hop’s expanding influence beyond the realm of rap. will serve as
Wu-Tang Clan, Mary J. Blige, EPMD, Tyrese and Sean Paul will be the stars of the night. The event’s line-up of performances covers some of the intertwining genre foundations of pop, R&B and dancehall. New York radio veteran DJ Funkmaster Flex orchestrates this celebration and ties it all together.
Hip-Hop OG’s line-up is an interesting contrast to Hot 97’s other events, such as the annual Summer Jam, which seeks to spotlight the genre’s hottest artists each year. This year’s rally featured Cardi B, Ice Spice, Koi Leray, French Montana, Fivio Fallin, Lil Jay and Laura Brooke.
Tyreese and Sean Paul are the only paid artists not in charge of New York. Mariah Carey and hip-hop duo EPMD hail from Long Island, while Queen of Soul Mary J. Blige has roots in Yonkers. Maxwell has covered Brooklyn and of course Wu Tang his clan is still Staten he is the best artist from the Island.
The Wu-Tang Clan are planning their own hip-hop extravaganza with the New York State of Mind Tour. Co-headlined by Crown Heights native Nas, the tour hits North America in his September, about a week after the Hot 97 anniversary. De La Soul will also participate as a special guest during the run.
On August 11th, Live Nation and Mass Appeal will team up for their very own extravaganza, Hip Hop 50 Live. Held at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, the concert features Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, and special guests on set. Performances by TI, Ghostface Killah, Common, Fat Joe, Lupe Fiasco, Slick Rick and more are scheduled, with more artists expected to appear ahead of the show.