In a grand finale to mark the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the Recording Academy collaborated with CBS for “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop,” a two-hour spectacular paying homage to the cultural phenomenon that originated in the Bronx in the 1970s and has since become a global force.
Filmed at Inglewood’s YouTube Theater on November 8, the star-studded event featured an impressive lineup of performers spanning decades and regions. The celebration showcased the diverse talents within the hip-hop community, including iconic figures 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. Each artist took the stage to contribute to medley performances, illustrating the broad spectrum of style and substance within rap music.
A standout moment occurred at the end of the show when Will Smith, also known as the Fresh Prince, reunited with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a medley of solo and collaborative hits. Questlove, the renowned drummer for the Roots, delivered a heartfelt introduction, highlighting the duo’s groundbreaking achievement as the first hip-hop act to receive a Grammy award in 1989 for “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”
Questlove stated, “In a year and a night full of hip-hop moments, this is a big one,” emphasizing the significance of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s contributions. Smith commenced the performance with “Brand New Funk” from their 1988 album “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper.” Dressed in all red and accompanied by backup dancers, Smith took the audience on a journey through his discography, featuring hits like “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” and “Miami.” His wife Jada Pinkett-Smith and children Willow and Jaden watched from the audience.
The retrospective wouldn’t be complete without the iconic theme song from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and the duo concluded the performance with “Summertime,” their highest-charting single, earning them a Grammy in 1992 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
The event served as a fitting tribute to the pioneers and evolution of hip-hop, highlighting its enduring impact on music and culture over the past five decades.
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