Category: ll cool j

Top 23 of 2023: Hip-Hop Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary took center stage in 2023, marking a year of celebratory events honoring the birth of the influential genre. From LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Festival to the iconic ESSENCE Festival, the prominence of the 50th year of Hip-Hop was evident, alongside it being featured at culture’s biggest award shows such as the 65th Annual Grammy Awards and the MTV VMAs. 

3. Happy 50th Anniversary, Hip-Hop!

ESSENCE Festival Honors Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

The ESSENCE Festival, held in July 2023, served as a platform to pay homage to several hip-hop icons and celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. The festival featured an unforgettable performance by Lauryn Hill, who headlined the event alongside other pioneering figures of the genre. 

Hennessy & Sprite Partnerships Reflect the Milestone Year

Rapper Nas embraced the spirit of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary through various brand collaborations. One notable partnership was with renowned liquor brand Hennessy, presenting a special edition release celebrating the milestone. 

Additionally, Nas joined forces with Sprite for a collaboration that involved fellow artists Rakim, Latto, and GloRilla, further emphasizing the significance of the genre’s 50-year legacy.

5. Queen Bey’s ‘Renaissance Era

In the vibrant landscape of 2023, where the essence of Black culture thrived, Beyoncé claimed the top position with her monumental “Renaissance” era. As we delve into the top 23 highlights of the year, Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary stands out as a pivotal moment that shaped the cultural landscape and showcased the genre’s enduring impact.

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Top 23 of 2023: Hip-Hop Dominates The 2023 Grammys & VMAs

In a year filled with memorable moments and groundbreaking achievements, the 2023 Grammys and VMAs were ultimately saved by hip-hop. From record-breaking wins to captivating performances, the genre left an indelible mark on both award shows, leaving this moment to become the Top 10. 

10. The Award Shows of 2023 

The Grammys

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards witnessed an extraordinary celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Iconic artists like LL Cool J, Run DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, and Ice-T took the stage alongside the new generation of rappers, including Lil Baby and Lil Uzi Vert. 

However, the night truly belonged to Beyoncé, as she made Grammy history with 32 wins, solidifying her status as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history.

The singer garnered nine nominations, the highest for any artist that year, and became the first Black woman to win the Grammy for “Best Dance/Electronic Recording” with her album Renaissance. Quavo paid tribute to the late Takeoff, who unfortunately passed in November 2022, from a fatal shooting. 

The VMAs

The 2023 VMAs faced criticism as controversies overshadowed the event. Fans were disappointed by the lackluster celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, which included repetitive performances. Rising stars Victoria Monét and Coi Leray were left out, stirring backlash. 

Victoria Monét’s skyrocketing solo career contradicted MTV’s claim that it was “too early in her story” to perform, as she charted with her hit single “On My Mama” during the VMAs. Coi Leray expressed her gratitude towards BET for recognizing her achievements while feeling snubbed by the VMAs. Taylor Swift‘s domination in major categories also drew scrutiny. 

However, the VMAs did recognize artists like SZA, who won “Best R&B Artist,” and Nicki Minaj, who claimed the title of “Best Hip-Hop Artist” and hosted the show, captivating the audience with a performance from her anticipated album, Pink Friday 2.

11. Ice Spice’s Reign

As the Grammys and the VMAs showcased the influence of hip-hop in 2023, one artist who emerged as a force to be reckoned with was Ice Spice. With her unstoppable rise in the music industry, the “Munch (Feelin’ U)” rapper proved her critics wrong and solidified her position as a rising star to watch in the coming years.

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Grammy Museum Honors 50 Years Of Hip-Hop With Interactive Exhibit

In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the Grammy Museum has unveiled an interactive exhibit dedicated to the genre titled, Hip Hop America: The Exhibit. This experience showcases the history and impact of hip-hop, such as The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, and LL Cool J.  Inside Hip Hop America: The Exhibit In celebration of the 50th […]

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SOHH EXCLUSIVE: LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Festival Celebrates Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary 

The annual Rock The Bells event occurred at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. The 2023 festival celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with an incredible lineup featuring legendary artists such as LL Cool J, The Roots, Queen Latifah, and more. From electrifying performances to surprise guest appearances, Rock The Bells truly paid homage […]

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Mary J. Blige and LL Cool J’s Wife Team Up for 90s Hip-Hop Jewelry Collection

Mary J. Blige, along with her business partner and LL Cool J’s wife, Simone I. Smith, have come together to introduce a jewelry collection that pays tribute to the essence of 90s hip-hop. Mary J. Blige & Simone Show ‘Sister Love’ The brand, Sister Love, is a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and its impact […]

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LL Cool J Announces The F.O.R.C.E Live Tour With Hip-Hop Legends

LL Cool J is returning triumphantly to the stage with The F.O.R.C.E. Live Tour, featuring an all-star lineup of music’s greatest legends. This marks the hip-hop icon’s first headlining venture in 30 years and coincides with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. With a rotating cast, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, and many more, fans can expect […]

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LL Cool J & Ice T Unveil New Hip-Hop Series “Hip Hop Treasures”

LL Cool J and Ice T are teaming up for an exciting new venture as they unveil the upcoming series Hip Hop Treasures. Set to premiere on Saturday, August 12th, 2023, at 10 PM ET on A&E Network; the show takes viewers on a captivating journey searching for lost hip-hop memorabilia. To showcase hip-hop’s cultural […]

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LL Cool J Joins Cast For “NCIS: Hawaii” Season 3

LL Cool J will be reprising his role as Sam Hanna in season 3 of NCIS: Hawai’i. Following the conclusion of CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles, the rapper-turned-actor first appeared as a guest star in the Season 2 finale.  LL Cool J’s Return As Sam Hanna LL Cool J, real name James Todd Smith, is set […]

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