As the curtain falls on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the Recording Academy and CBS present “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop,” a two-hour tribute to the culture’s foundational pillars. Airing from 8:30-10:30 p.m. ET/PT with live and on-demand streaming on Paramount+, the special showcases an impressive lineup of rappers, beatboxers, dancers, DJs, and presenters, paying homage to the genre that originated in the Bronx in the 1970s.
Filmed at Inglewood’s YouTube Theater on Nov 8, the star-studded event features performances from various artists spanning decades and regions. Notable acts such as Queen Latifah, Common, Public Enemy, Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, YG, Too Short, E-40, De La Soul, Akon, Black Thought, Nelly, Gunna, and Chance the Rapper take the stage, delivering medley performances that showcase the diversity of rap music in style and substance.
A highlight of the evening is the reunion of Will Smith (Fresh Prince) and DJ Jazzy Jeff, who perform a medley of solo and collaborative hits, including “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” the first hip-hop act to win a Grammy in 1989. The special also pays tribute to early hip-hop pioneers, with performances by queens of hip-hop, featuring Monie Love, Sha-Rock, J.J. Fad, Roxanne Shante, and MC Lyte, blending old-school and modern hits like “U.N.I.T.Y.”
The program explores the evolution of hip-hop across different regions, acknowledging the significance of the South in hip-hop’s narrative. Jermaine Dupri curates a segment highlighting Southern hip-hop with performances by Jeezy, T.I., Three 6 Mafia, UGK’s Bun B, GloRilla, and Boosie Badazz, among others. Public Enemy also commands the stage with a powerful set, joined by Questlove on the turntables.
The West Coast segment, introduced by Seth Rogen, features an extensive lineup with Warren G, Luniz, Lady of Rage, YG, Tyga, Rody Ricch, DJ Quik, Yo-Yo, and Cypress Hill. The special pays homage to the Native Tongues collective, featuring Common, Arrested People, Digable Planets, Black Sheep, Talib Kweli, Latifah, Pharcyde, and De La Soul.
Additional segments include performances by Big Daddy Kane, Black Thought, Rakim, and Akon leading an international segment, and a celebration of lives lost within hip-hop culture by Doug E. Fresh. The night concludes with a lively medley by 2 Chainz, featuring Gunna, Coi Leroy, Nelly, Rick Ross, and Chance the Rapper.
Harvey Mason Jr. provides a positive closing note, emphasizing the transformative power of hip-hop as the universal language that unifies and disrupts, leaving an indelible mark on culture and the world. The event celebrates the legacy and contributions of hip-hop to the music industry and beyond.
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