Devendra Kumar
Hip-hop, the most popular music genre in the United States, reaches the milestone age of 50 this August, and to commemorate this occasion, pioneers Public Enemy and Ice-T will headline a two-day free concert celebration at the National Mall in Washington DC on October 6th and 7th. According to Public Enemy’s Chuck D, “Hip-hop is beyond, not just a musical genre” but a cultural movement that has profoundly influenced the world over the past 50 years. He notes that this National Celebration brings together various aspects of hip-hop, including art, fashion, politics, poetry, academia, film, and music, “for the people, by the people.”
The National Celebration of Hip-Hop promises to be a comprehensive and star-studded event, featuring legendary acts such as Kurtis Blow, Kid ‘n Play, Soulsonic Force, Roxanne Shante, CL Smooth, Melle Mel and Scorpio, The Sugarhill Gang, Peter Gunz, DJ Kevie Kev Rockwell, Mad Skillz, MC Sha-Rock, Busy Bee, Joe Ski Love, Positive K, Boogie Black, and Mick Benzo. Additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
The artists involved are clearly excited about the opportunity to perform at the National Mall, with Flavor Flav proclaiming, “I can’t wait to get on stage and do our thing.” The event will be a unique and memorable experience for fans of hip-hop, allowing them to see some of the genre’s most influential pioneers perform together in one place.
The National Celebration of Hip-Hop is a significant event that will bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate the power and influence of this iconic music genre. As Chuck D so eloquently put it, “Hip-hop is a cultural movement that has dominated art, fashion, politics, poetry, academia, film and every corner of the world for the past 50 years.” With this event, fans will have the chance to experience the essence of hip-hop in all its forms, making it a truly unforgettable celebration.