Public Enemy and Ice-t will link up to headline a special, free concert in Washington D.C. celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The two-day National Celebration of Hip Hop show will take place Oct. 6 and 7 at West Potomac Park on the National Mall.
The concert will feature an array of rap luminaries and legends, including the Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Kid ’N Play, Soulsonic Force, Roxanne Shanté, Melle Mel and Scorpio, Peter Gunz, Cl Smooth, DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell, Mad Skillz, and Busy Bee. DJ Hurricane will also be on...
The concert will feature an array of rap luminaries and legends, including the Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Kid ’N Play, Soulsonic Force, Roxanne Shanté, Melle Mel and Scorpio, Peter Gunz, Cl Smooth, DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell, Mad Skillz, and Busy Bee. DJ Hurricane will also be on...
- 8/23/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Public Enemy and Ice-t have been announced as the headliners for The National Celebration of Hip Hop, a free two-day concert being held this fall at the National Mall in Washington, DC. It all goes down at West Potomac Park on October 6th and 7th.
There will also be a Beastie Boys tribute set from DJ Hurricane with special guests, as well as performances from hip-hop luminaries including Kurtis Blow, The Sugarhill Gang, Kid ‘n Play, Soulsonic Force, Roxanne Shante, Cl Smooth, Melle Mel and Scorpio, Peter Gunz, DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell, Mad Skillz, Mc Sha-Rock, Busy Bee, Joe Ski Love, Positive K, Boogie Black, Mick Benzo, Gumbo and Donald D.
Tickets are free by pre-registering at the festival’s website. VIP packages are also available for purchase, ranging from $399 to $999.
“We are honored to continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop against the backdrop of America’s...
There will also be a Beastie Boys tribute set from DJ Hurricane with special guests, as well as performances from hip-hop luminaries including Kurtis Blow, The Sugarhill Gang, Kid ‘n Play, Soulsonic Force, Roxanne Shante, Cl Smooth, Melle Mel and Scorpio, Peter Gunz, DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell, Mad Skillz, Mc Sha-Rock, Busy Bee, Joe Ski Love, Positive K, Boogie Black, Mick Benzo, Gumbo and Donald D.
Tickets are free by pre-registering at the festival’s website. VIP packages are also available for purchase, ranging from $399 to $999.
“We are honored to continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop against the backdrop of America’s...
- 8/23/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Hip-hop turns 50 on Aug. 11, and it seems that the whole world is celebrating. From concerts organized by Amazon and Mass Appeal to block parties put on by New York City, the festivities are plentiful. There is also a wide range of exhibits and galleries curated by artists of the hip-hop generation. It would be impossible to reference every single event happening for rap’s birthday, but here’s a list of notable Hip-Hop 50-related events happening this August.
Concerts and Events
Amazon Music: 50 & Forever: New York (through Aug. 10)
Rotation,...
Concerts and Events
Amazon Music: 50 & Forever: New York (through Aug. 10)
Rotation,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Andre Gee
- Rollingstone.com
'I would love to work with him, and I wouldn't turn my nose to it,' veteran producer tells MTV News.
By Nadeska Alexis, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Pete Rock
Photo: MTV News
Pete Rock made headlines last week for getting into a little tiff with Lupe Fiasco over Rock's classic 1992 track "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," but the veteran producer has put the drama behind him, and now he's focused on his upcoming projects, including a possible collaboration with the Chicago rapper.
"If the artist doesn't like something I did or said, then we could work through it with a conversation. That's always my goal — it's never to add fuel to the fire," Pete Rock told MTV News of the falling out with Lupe. "I would love to get in the studio and work with him if his management team can respect me as a man,...
By Nadeska Alexis, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Pete Rock
Photo: MTV News
Pete Rock made headlines last week for getting into a little tiff with Lupe Fiasco over Rock's classic 1992 track "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," but the veteran producer has put the drama behind him, and now he's focused on his upcoming projects, including a possible collaboration with the Chicago rapper.
"If the artist doesn't like something I did or said, then we could work through it with a conversation. That's always my goal — it's never to add fuel to the fire," Pete Rock told MTV News of the falling out with Lupe. "I would love to get in the studio and work with him if his management team can respect me as a man,...
- 6/1/2012
- MTV Music News
Yesterday The A.V. Club brought you the snippets of Lupe Fiasco’s new single, “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free),” which is off his forthcoming (maybe) Food & Liquor 2, which is a supposed return to Fiasco’s storied best form. Unfortunately, it’s also kind of a return to Pete Rock’s form, or that’s what Rock thinks at least. In a prolonged Twitter spiel, Rock called out Fiasco’s use of the saxophone and bass line from his 1992 mega-hit with C.L. Smooth, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” The song was originally ...
- 5/22/2012
- avclub.com
Catch Lupe Fiasco on 'RapFix Live' this Wednesday at 4 p.m. Et on MTV.com.
By Rob Markman
Lupe Fiasco
Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage
When Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth dropped "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" 20 years ago, the celebrated rap duo was still reeling over the unexpected death of their dear friend Troy "Trouble T" Dixon of Heavy D & the Boyz. What began as the most personal of lyrical eulogies soon became an iconic hip-hop track, so when Lupe Fiasco reworked the "T.R.O.Y." instrumental for his new single "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" on Monday, things were all good until Pete Rock chimed in.
"No disrespect to lupe fiasco and i like him alot but Troy should be left alone. Feel so violated,the beat is next to my heart and was made Outta anguish and pain. When it's like that it...
By Rob Markman
Lupe Fiasco
Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage
When Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth dropped "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" 20 years ago, the celebrated rap duo was still reeling over the unexpected death of their dear friend Troy "Trouble T" Dixon of Heavy D & the Boyz. What began as the most personal of lyrical eulogies soon became an iconic hip-hop track, so when Lupe Fiasco reworked the "T.R.O.Y." instrumental for his new single "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" on Monday, things were all good until Pete Rock chimed in.
"No disrespect to lupe fiasco and i like him alot but Troy should be left alone. Feel so violated,the beat is next to my heart and was made Outta anguish and pain. When it's like that it...
- 5/22/2012
- MTV Music News
Cousin of rap's Overweight Lover reminisces during call to New York's Hot 97.
By Rob Markman
Heavy D
Photo: Getty Images
Heavy D's death on Tuesday has hit the entire hip-hop community pretty hard, but for Pete Rock, who not only collaborated with Heav but was his cousin, things are difficult.
Still, the legendary hip-hop producer took the time to call in to New York City's Hot 97 morning show on Wednesday (November 9) and spoke with hosts Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds. "Just trying to fathom the thought of all of this, it's very hurtful," Rock said of Heavy D, who was born Dwight Arrington Myers. "This man, he gave me everything."
The trailblazing rapper, who rose to fame with his group Heavy D & the Boyz in the late 1980s, died at 44. While the cause of death remains unconfirmed, early police reports say that Heav complained of having difficulty breathing. After...
By Rob Markman
Heavy D
Photo: Getty Images
Heavy D's death on Tuesday has hit the entire hip-hop community pretty hard, but for Pete Rock, who not only collaborated with Heav but was his cousin, things are difficult.
Still, the legendary hip-hop producer took the time to call in to New York City's Hot 97 morning show on Wednesday (November 9) and spoke with hosts Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds. "Just trying to fathom the thought of all of this, it's very hurtful," Rock said of Heavy D, who was born Dwight Arrington Myers. "This man, he gave me everything."
The trailblazing rapper, who rose to fame with his group Heavy D & the Boyz in the late 1980s, died at 44. While the cause of death remains unconfirmed, early police reports say that Heav complained of having difficulty breathing. After...
- 11/9/2011
- MTV Music News
Heavy D, the rapper whose real name is Dwight Arrington Myers, is dead at the young age of 44. He was known for heavyset physique, his dancing and tongue-twisting rhymes.
Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills police told the Associated Press that Heavy D died in a Los Angeles hospital Tuesday after collapsing at his condominium building. Rosen said Beverly Hills police officers were dispatched to Heavy D's condominium building Tuesday morning after receiving a report of an unconscious person laying on the walkway of a building. They found Heavy D was conscious and communicative but had difficulty breathing and was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where he later died.
The police found no signs of foul play. According to Rosen, Heavy D "was returning home from shopping. He experienced difficulty breathing while walking into his condominium building. He was being assisted up to his apartment by building...
Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills police told the Associated Press that Heavy D died in a Los Angeles hospital Tuesday after collapsing at his condominium building. Rosen said Beverly Hills police officers were dispatched to Heavy D's condominium building Tuesday morning after receiving a report of an unconscious person laying on the walkway of a building. They found Heavy D was conscious and communicative but had difficulty breathing and was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where he later died.
The police found no signs of foul play. According to Rosen, Heavy D "was returning home from shopping. He experienced difficulty breathing while walking into his condominium building. He was being assisted up to his apartment by building...
- 11/9/2011
- by Gene Demby
- Huffington Post
Since his pioneering early-’90s work with C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock has bolstered his legacy with a stream of solo albums and production credits that have affirmed him as one of hip-hop’s most respected, enduring architects. Smif-n-Wessun’s recent career hasn’t been nearly as prestigious. The Brooklyn duo never topped its 1995 debut Dah Shinin,’ a marvel of brass-knuckled jazz-rap, and even that album hasn’t been passed down to new listeners like other classics of the era. It’s easy to see, then, why Smif-n-Wessun rappers Tek and Steele are so concerned with their legacy on ...
- 6/28/2011
- avclub.com
Tracks from Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway will be covered on the upcoming album.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
The Roots and John Legend
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
The Roots and John Legend will revive a host of soulful songs on their upcoming collection of covers, Wake Up!, which is due in stores in September.
The track list — which was revealed by Rap-Up.com on Monday (July 12) — includes 11 songs, and Chicago Mc Common and Grammy-nominated songstress Melanie Fiona make appearances on the album. Wake Up! revisits songs such as "Little Ghetto Boy" by Donny Hathaway, "Wholy Holy" by Marvin Gaye and "Hard Times" by Baby Huey and the Babysitters.
Although the album is a collection of vintage tracks, Legend said the timeless lyricism has a contemporary appeal. "These songs sound so relevant now," Legend said in a statement. "On most of them, you wouldn't change a lyric. 'Wake Up Everybody' (the album's first single,...
By Mawuse Ziegbe
The Roots and John Legend
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
The Roots and John Legend will revive a host of soulful songs on their upcoming collection of covers, Wake Up!, which is due in stores in September.
The track list — which was revealed by Rap-Up.com on Monday (July 12) — includes 11 songs, and Chicago Mc Common and Grammy-nominated songstress Melanie Fiona make appearances on the album. Wake Up! revisits songs such as "Little Ghetto Boy" by Donny Hathaway, "Wholy Holy" by Marvin Gaye and "Hard Times" by Baby Huey and the Babysitters.
Although the album is a collection of vintage tracks, Legend said the timeless lyricism has a contemporary appeal. "These songs sound so relevant now," Legend said in a statement. "On most of them, you wouldn't change a lyric. 'Wake Up Everybody' (the album's first single,...
- 7/12/2010
- MTV Music News
Collaborators covered soul song 'Our Generation,' after hearing it sampled on classic '90s Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth track.
By Steven Roberts
John Legend
Photo: MTV News
Ernie Hines probably isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think of soul singers. But the Mississippi singer/guitarist's "Our Generation" was John Legend and the Roots' choice when it was their turn to cover a song for the Levi's Pioneer Sessions project.
Legend and the Roots, who were already working on an album of covers, Wake Up!, were quick to come onboard when Levi's called. Legend acknowledged the song was relatively obscure, but said he thought fans would recognize it from a famous hip-hop sample.
" 'Straighten It Out' [by] Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth was an important hip-hop record and it sampled 'Our Generation,' " Legend said. The R&B crooner went on to explain that as he and the...
By Steven Roberts
John Legend
Photo: MTV News
Ernie Hines probably isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think of soul singers. But the Mississippi singer/guitarist's "Our Generation" was John Legend and the Roots' choice when it was their turn to cover a song for the Levi's Pioneer Sessions project.
Legend and the Roots, who were already working on an album of covers, Wake Up!, were quick to come onboard when Levi's called. Legend acknowledged the song was relatively obscure, but said he thought fans would recognize it from a famous hip-hop sample.
" 'Straighten It Out' [by] Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth was an important hip-hop record and it sampled 'Our Generation,' " Legend said. The R&B crooner went on to explain that as he and the...
- 6/28/2010
- MTV Music News
Collaborators covered soul song 'Our Generation,' after hearing it sampled on classic '90s Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth track.
By Steven Roberts
John Legend
Photo: MTV News
Ernie Hines probably isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think of soul singers. But the Mississippi singer/guitarist's "Our Generation" was John Legend and the Roots' choice when it was their turn to cover a song for the Levi's Pioneer Sessions project.
Legend and the Roots, who were already working on an album of covers, Wake Up!, were quick to come onboard when Levi's called. Legend acknowledged the song was relatively obscure, but said he thought fans would recognize it from a famous hip-hop sample.
" 'Straighten It Out' [by] Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth was an important hip-hop record and it sampled 'Our Generation,' " Legend said. The R&B crooner went on to explain that as he and the...
By Steven Roberts
John Legend
Photo: MTV News
Ernie Hines probably isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think of soul singers. But the Mississippi singer/guitarist's "Our Generation" was John Legend and the Roots' choice when it was their turn to cover a song for the Levi's Pioneer Sessions project.
Legend and the Roots, who were already working on an album of covers, Wake Up!, were quick to come onboard when Levi's called. Legend acknowledged the song was relatively obscure, but said he thought fans would recognize it from a famous hip-hop sample.
" 'Straighten It Out' [by] Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth was an important hip-hop record and it sampled 'Our Generation,' " Legend said. The R&B crooner went on to explain that as he and the...
- 6/28/2010
- MTV Music News
Unlike classic hip-hop producer/Mc duos like Guru and DJ Premier, or Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, the partnership of Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek, a.k.a. Reflection Eternal, isn’t rooted in the producer’s signature sound. For better or worse, Hi-Tek is a sonic chameleon, and Revolutions Per Minute, the duo’s decade-in-the-making follow-up to Train Of Thought, sounds like it could have been mastered by the requisite team of producers. Revolutions Per Minute is strongest when guests push Reflection Eternal in intriguing new directions. “Midnight Hour,” for example, swings like one of Mark Ronson’s ...
- 5/25/2010
- avclub.com
By Rich Sancho
In light of Guru's recent health issues, we decided to take a minute to reflect on Gang Starr's long-lasting impact.
Gang Starr's influence stretches throughout the hip-hop universe. They were defined by Guru's monotone flow, some of the most thought-provoking and conscious storytelling of the '90s and DJ Premier's unique innovations in sampling and beat production.
Since the release of their first successful album Step In The Arena in 1991, other duos, groups, solo artists and producers have been borrowing elements of their fundamental sound, leading right up to the current mixtape culture. Back in '91, similar acts such as Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest and Brand Nubian were coming from a similar sonic space with a similar message: jazzy, soulful tracks and lyrics that had some substance beyond party music with an uplifting and enlightening purpose.
The jazz-influenced, street-prophet style...
In light of Guru's recent health issues, we decided to take a minute to reflect on Gang Starr's long-lasting impact.
Gang Starr's influence stretches throughout the hip-hop universe. They were defined by Guru's monotone flow, some of the most thought-provoking and conscious storytelling of the '90s and DJ Premier's unique innovations in sampling and beat production.
Since the release of their first successful album Step In The Arena in 1991, other duos, groups, solo artists and producers have been borrowing elements of their fundamental sound, leading right up to the current mixtape culture. Back in '91, similar acts such as Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest and Brand Nubian were coming from a similar sonic space with a similar message: jazzy, soulful tracks and lyrics that had some substance beyond party music with an uplifting and enlightening purpose.
The jazz-influenced, street-prophet style...
- 3/2/2010
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
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