Photo: Instagram/Wu-Tang Clan
Hip-Hop’s legendary radio station New York’s 97.1 FM, popularly referred to as Hot 97, has just announced a historic line-up of marquee Hip-Hop artists and acts to celebrate “Hip-Hop 50” or “50 Years of Hip-Hop”.
The concert, slated to occur almost a month after August 11 – the highly anticipated day which officially marks the 50th year of rap music – will go down at the Madison Square Gardens in New York on September 15th.
The one-day event will feature performances by the iconic N.Y.-based Hip-Hop consortium Wu-Tang Clan, Mary J. Blige, ‘EPMD’ or “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars”, Sean Paul and Tyrese.
Curated by DJ Funk Flex – the progenitor of one of the most influential Hip-Hop radio stations across the world, the concert will feature special guest appearances from pop singer Mariah Carey too.
Earlier this year, Indian Hip-Hop royalty Divine, born Vivian Wilson Fernandes, made an appearance on the Hot 97 radio station. Notably, it was the first for an Indian artist to appear at the historic radio station for a far-reaching conversation.
Established as W2XWG in 1939, the Hot 97 radio station has influenced Hip-Hop culture and laid one of the earliest foundations for “radio plays”. The station gave rise to Hip-Hop pioneers including the legendary DJ Funkmaster Flex and featured Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye West, A$ap Rocky, Roddy Ricch and more.
Notably, Hot 97’s affecting ‘Hip-Hop 50’ concert arrives amidst Mass Appeal announcing its own ‘Hip-Hop 50’ concert too. Earlier this month, Mass Appeal, which is reportedly spearheading the 50 years of Hip-Hop music across the globe, teamed up with Live Nation for a massive Hip-Hop 50 concert line-up.
Slated to go down at New York’s Yankee Stadium on August 11 this year, the concert will feature live sets by some of the biggest Hip-Hop artists of our times including Run DMC’s “Bottom of the Ninth…The Walk-Off” performance, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, A$AP Ferg, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco, Slick Rick and more.
Check out Mass Appeal’s full ‘Hip-Hop 50’ line-up here if you haven’t yet.
Look out for ‘Hip-Hop 50’ Live Concerts by Mass Appeal and Hot 97 this summer.
Since you’re here, watch Divine’s conversation with rap journalist Mia Belle on Hot 97.
