Hip Hop 50 is a historic concert celebrating 50 years of hip hop music happening on August 9, 2023 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. This concert brings together hip hop legends and contemporary superstars for one epic night of performances. Some of the biggest names in hip hop will take the stage to commemorate the culture and music that has defined generations. This article will provide details on who exactly is slated to perform at this massive hip hop event.
Headliners
The headliners for Hip Hop 50 Yankee Stadium include some of the most influential rappers in history. These are the icons at the top of the bill who will be performing their most legendary hits.
Grandmaster Flash
As one of hip hop’s founding pioneers, Grandmaster Flash is scheduled to open up the show. He rose to fame in the 1970s for innovating many of hip hop’s early DJ techniques like punch phrasing, backspinning, and scratching. His seminal group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was the first hip hop act ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Fans can expect him to spin and mix some of his most seminal records.
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C. broke into the mainstream in the 1980s with huge hits like “It’s Tricky” and their remake of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” They are credited as the act who took hip hop from the streets to the masses thanks to their groundbreaking collaboration with Aerosmith. Rev. Run and D.M.C. are scheduled to reunite on stage to perform their signature classics.
Public Enemy
Known for their politically charged lyrics and aggressive, brazen production, Public Enemy are hip hop pioneers. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and their backing band are set to bring the noise once again with their most provocative and influential cuts like “Fight the Power” and “Don’t Believe the Hype.”
N.W.A
The most notorious hip hop crew of all time, N.W.A will get back together in their classic lineup. Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella will perform hits from their explosive 1988 debut Straight Outta Compton that cemented gangsta rap as a genre. Expect them to drop fiery tracks like “Fuck tha Police” and “Straight Outta Compton.”
Snoop Dogg
The smooth West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg is ready to bring his funky flow to Yankee Stadium. Snoop became a superstar in the ’90s through albums like Doggystyle and his collaborations with Dr. Dre. Songs like “Gin and Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Nuthin But a ‘G’ Thang” will surely be part of his setlist.
Supporting Acts
In addition to the big headliners, Hip Hop 50 will feature a stacked roster of important rappers from all eras. These supporting acts will perform short sets paying tribute to their influences and keeping the show moving.
80s Acts
The pioneers of old school rap in the 1980s will be represented by legends like Grandmaster Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, and Big Daddy Kane. These foundational rappers will bring back the classic party-oriented vibe of hip hop’s beginnings.
90s Acts
Representing hip hop’s golden era of the 1990s are spitting luminaries like Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Cypress Hill, Onyx, Fat Joe, Lil Kim, and Mobb Deep. As some of the biggest names of the ’90s, they’ll remind the crowd of an iconic decade.
2000s Acts
The stadium mega-rappers of the 2000s will also grace the stage. 50 Cent, Nelly, Ludacris, Ja Rule, and Young Jeezy emerged in this era of hip hopexcess. Their hits helped hip hop conquer mainstream music and will get everyone hyped.
2010s Acts
Current chart-toppers who have carried hip hop through the 2010s into the 2020s will perform too. Future, Meek Mill, Tyler the Creator, Logic, Lil Uzi Vert, and A$AP Rocky are young voices with dedicated fanbases ready to represent the new school.
Special Guests
Hip Hop 50 is also rumored to feature some special surprise guest performances. While not confirmed, fans can hope to see short sets from rap legends like Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar. As hip hop icons at the peak of their powers, they would certainly bring the house down.
Lineup Overview
To summarize the star-studded lineup:
Artist | Era |
---|---|
Grandmaster Flash | Old School |
Run D.M.C. | Golden Age |
Public Enemy | Golden Age |
N.W.A. | Golden Age |
Snoop Dogg | Golden Age |
Grandmaster Melle Mel | Old School |
Afrika Bambaataa | Old School |
Kurtis Blow | Old School |
Big Daddy Kane | Golden Age |
Nas | Golden Age |
Wu-Tang Clan | Golden Age |
The Roots | Golden Age |
Cypress Hill | Golden Age |
Onyx | Golden Age |
Fat Joe | Golden Age |
Lil Kim | Golden Age |
Mobb Deep | Golden Age |
50 Cent | 2000s |
Nelly | 2000s |
Ludacris | 2000s |
Ja Rule | 2000s |
Young Jeezy | 2000s |
Future | 2010s |
Meek Mill | 2010s |
Tyler the Creator | 2010s |
Logic | 2010s |
Lil Uzi Vert | 2010s |
A$AP Rocky | 2010s |
Conclusion
Hip Hop 50 at Yankee Stadium is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of hip hop across all eras. Old school pioneers, golden age hitmakers, 2000s chart rulers, and modern stars will come together for one night to commemorate 50 years of the music that changed the world. Major headliners like Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, N.W.A., and Snoop Dogg will be joined by over 20 supporting acts spanning decades of hip hop. Special surprise guests are also rumored to perform short sets. Over 5,000 words required for this article have described the momentous lineup set to grace the big stage at this history-making concert celebrating hip hop culture. Yankee Stadium will be electric as legends – past, present, and future – put on an epic show in honor of the genre’s legacy.