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Maybe you saw the epic tribute at the Grammys. (And if you haven’t, you really should.)
Or maybe you caught the ongoing multi-part documentary on PBS.
Yes, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, with celebrations planned both nationally and globally — including here in Philadelphia.
Read on to see how Philly helped define what hip-hop is today, as well as info on 50th-anniversary events and concerts from local and national hip-hop acts. (And check back often for more updates to this piece throughout the year as more events and concerts are announced.)
On August 11, 1973, in the rec room of an apartment building in the Bronx, a new musical form entered the world.
The night in question was a back-to-school party, featuring a soundtrack of popular artists like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and The Meters. The host of the bash, 18-year-old Clive Campbell, took to the DJ booth and queued up heavily percussive, dance-friendly portions of songs, known as breaks, on two turntables. With a copy of the same record on each turntable, Campbell — better known as DJ Kool Herc — was able to loop these high-energy breaks, through a technique called the merry-go-round. The merry-go-round was the basis for the genre we now know as hip-hop.
Taking hold at block parties and among Black, Latino and Caribbean American communities, hip-hop spread from the underground to the mainstream, thanks to one of the first hip-hop records, Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight, released in 1979.
By the late 1970s, hip-hop was thriving in Philadelphia. In 1979, Philly rapper Lady B (one of the first female hip hop artists) released To The Beat Y’all, putting the city on the hip-hop map. Just a few years later, in 1985, Philly rapper Schoolly D helped define gangsta rap with his single P.S.K. (What Does It Mean?).
Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Philly’s hip-hop scene flourished with big-name acts bringing attention to the city. DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (known these days as Will Smith) won the first-ever Grammy for best rap performance for their song Parents Just Don’t Understand, in 1989. Blending jazz and live instrumentation with rapping, The Roots have been musical mainstays in Philadelphia since founders Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter first performed together during a talent show while they were students at Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in 1989.
In the late ’90s, when hip-hop experienced a commercial breakthrough, Philly-born artists like Eve and Beanie Sigel gained mainstream attention with releases on major record labels. Meanwhile musicians like Adam Blackstone found notoriety performing with the likes of Jay-Z.
Today, Philly is home to some of the most imaginative and groundbreaking acts in hip-hop. Meek Mill, in addition to his anthemic music, continues to push for criminal justice reform in Philadelphia. Tierra Whack, dubbed the “future of hip hop,” has gripped the world with her boundary-pushing style, experimenting with time and genre. Hip-hop has always served as a vehicle for identity, a means for artists and listeners alike to share their political beliefs, fashion choices, and social and economic realities, and to speak truth to power. An amalgamation of various art forms — including poetry, breakdancing, MCing, graffiti and storytelling — hip-hop is a multi-discipline art form.
Throughout 2023, Philadelphia pays homage to the half-century legacy of hip-hop.
Through events and concerts, musicians from near and far harken back to the traditions of the merry-go-round while pushing the genre into the future.
Check back often for additional events — both 50th-anniversary celebrations and hip-hop concerts from Philly and national artists — throughout the year.
Visit Philadelphia’s podcast about the city’s best-kept secrets and biggest exports recently returned for its fourth season. This go-around, hosts Laiya St. Clair, Rachel Ferguson and Justin Pizzi pay homage to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop through interviews with musical changemakers like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Adam Blackstone.
Celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, artists Christian “TAME ARTZ” Rodriguez and Bill Strobel created Know The Elements, a new mural off North Broad. The mural, spanning both sides of the SEPTA rail underpass, captures hip-hop’s four defining elements: Breaking, DJ’ing, rapping and graffiti street art, and features images of world-renowned Philly-based hip-hop culture icons like DJ Jazzy Jeff, B-girl PepC, Reef the Lost Cause, INFA, Queen Jo and Michele Byrd-McPhee from Ladies of Hip-Hop.
Where: Know The Elements mural, 900 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
June 29, August 10 & October 11, 2023
Keep the lawn chairs at home — you’re coming up on stage. Hosted by Chill Moody, Downstage @ the Mann brings audiences and performers closer than ever, with intimate, immersive in-the-round performances. This year’s Downstage series celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop by highlighting the pillars of hip-hop culture, from DJing to storytelling:
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate hip-hop’s 50th throughout the month of August with this free multimedia exhibition. The exhibition, hosted by resident artist Thomcat23, features art inspired by hip-hop music and culture and kicks off with a music-filled opening celebration on Friday, August 4 (5-10 p.m.).
Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The city of champions will crown another as regional winners from tourneys across the country converge on The Fillmore Philadelphia for the Red Bull BC One Cypher USA National Breakdancing Final. America’s top b-boys and b-girls battle to represent the nation at the 2023 Red Bull BC One World Final, the world’s biggest one-on-one breaking competition, at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris (you know it from the French Open).
Where: The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fresh fits, live music and an open bar? Say no more. Fitler Club celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a luxurious Sneakerball, including hor d’oeuvres, cocktails, DJs, music performances, an interactive art exhibition and a silent auction (featuring one-of-a-kind sneaks). Tickets are required, food and drink are included, and part of the proceeds go toward supporting the Philadelphia School District.
Where: Fitler Club, 24 S. 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Philly rap icons Beanie Sigel and Freeway join New York City star and Jay-Z protégé Memphis Bleek for a night of throwback tracks on The Art of Rap Tour. Inspired by the 2012 Ice-T documentary Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap, the tour (now in its 11th year!) brings artists together for collabs celebrating the power and legacy of hip-hop.
Where: Franklin Music Hall, 421 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
It’s been a long journey for New Orleans underground rap duo $uicideboy$, from humble beginnings self-posting on SoundCloud and Bandcamp to selling out basketball arenas. The conceptual introspective hip-hop pioneers swing by Wells Fargo Center on September 8 as part of their Grey Day Tour supporting the Spring Season version of their Yin Yang Tapes EP series.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
There are few artists better suited to fill the big spaces and high ceilings of former opera house The Met Philadelphia than triple-threat Janelle Monáe. Whether you love her for her star-turn roles in Hidden Figures, Glass Onion or Moonlight or from her 20 years of funky hip-hop-singed R&B albums, be sure not to miss her North Philly gig on September 18 in support of Age of Pleasure, her fourth full studio album.
Where: The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Macklemore had has us popping tags since 2013. Known for collabs with artists like Skylar Grey and Kesha, the Thrift Shop and Can’t Hold Us singer-slash-rapper celebrates the release of his 2023 album, Ben, with the BEN Tour. His third solo studio album (without his buddy Ryan Lewis), the album explores some of the darker and more vulnerable parts of Macklemore’s life.
Rescheduled from March 2, 2023: The St. Louis-born singer-songwriter — who skyrocketed to fame after working with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Beyonce — takes center stage at the Wells Fargo Center to play the hits and tracks from her acclaimed 2022 release, SOS.
If you don’t already know her name, you can’t escape her viral singles like Daisy and Slumber Party. A frequent collaborator with talents like Doja Cat, Grimes and Baby Tate, Ashnikko’s genre-bending raps fuse hip-hop, electropop, indie rock, punk and much more. The Philly leg of her WEEDKILLER tour — featuring new music from the 2023 eponymous album — hits The Mann Center this September.
Celebrating 20 years since the release of his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway, Freeway performs at The Fillmore backed by a live band. In addition to throwback tracks like What We Do, expect newer material like his recently released Rejoice.
Memphis rapper GloRilla gained widespread notoriety when her wildly fun single F.N.F. (Let’s Go) went viral on TikTok. What came next was a collab with Cardi B, signing to Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint and, oh yeah, a Grammy nomination for best rap performance.
Where: Theatre of the Living Arts, 334 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
This double bill features two of the four members of supergroup Zoink Gang. Individually, the pair breathe fresh life into music, infusing funk and soul into their beats.
Where: The Foundry at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fresh off the release of his fourth album, Me vs. Myself, a slick collection of pop-leaning tracks, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie tests the songs on the road.
Where: The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Philly underground hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) has been scratching beats and spitting bars for over 25 years, producing music and collaborating with rap veterans from GZA to Immortal Technique along the way. Fans can keep up with frontman Vinnie Paz on his Broad Street Breakdown podcast.
Where: Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
The protege of the late Young Dolph, Key Glock has largely avoided collabs or features — and relies almost completely on his own prowess as a lyricist.
South Korean trio Epik High tours behind its recently released EP Strawberry. For two decades, Epik High has influenced Korean music, with popular K-pop act B.T.S. citing them as an influence.
One of the most prolific artists of the last decade, Future’s signature Autotune trap has come to define the genre. Not a year has gone by without new music since Future’s first release in 2010. This year, he heads on a nationwide tour featuring surprise supporting acts for each city. Any guesses for Philly?
Hot off the release of his February 2023 project, GUMBO — which included a rare collab with Key Glock — Atlanta artist Young Nudy hit the rap scene running as a featured artist on several Billboard hits. (Oh, and despite being related to 21 Savage, Nudy takes a more playful approach to his rap style.)
Where: Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, 1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chicano artist Cuco takes you on a journey with lo-fi hip-hop beats to relax and dance to. Known for blending bossa nova and indie pop with trap music and smooth rap, the Lo Que Siento rapper creates a euphoric musical landscape as wide as his imagination.
At this point, TikTok royalty Bktherula is known for her aesthetic as much as she is for her flow and she keeps fans on their toes by bringing a different sound and vocal style to everything she touches. Basically, she’s a mood.
Nick Cannon brings the next generation of musical talent to The Fillmore with his Future Superstar Tour. The rising stars shaking up the game include Symba, 24kGoldn, Big Boss Vette and many more. Each ticket also includes access to a youth-focused Future Superstar seminar, featuring a panel of entertainment industry leaders.
Throw it all the way back as a number of hip-hop legends, including TI, Jeezy, Gucci Mane and Cam’ron visit North Broad Street for an evening of throwback jams and hip-hop anthems. Cue the DJ air horn noise.
If you were conscious in the past 20 years, you got down with Sean Paul. One of the most prolific artists of the era, the Jamaican rapper popularized the dancehall genre throughout the U.S., and has collaborated with Beyoncé, Sia and Dua Lipa.
Few groups had a greater impact on hip-hop — particularly East Coast rap — than Wu Tang Clan. Member GZA performs his second solo album Liquid Swords, released in 1995, accompanied by a live band, bringing his lyrical prowess and gritty beats to life.
Where: Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chicago rapper and founder of the collective Only The Family, Lil Durk had a busy 2022, which saw the release of a solo album and a collaborative album with OTF. The trap artist has an impressive output with eight studio albums, four compilation albums, one live album, one EP, 13 mixtapes and 150 singles.
With five Grammys, 11 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards and over 120 million records sold, this artist needs no introduction. Lil Wayne brings his lyrical prowess and earworm-y hooks to The Fillmore this April.
How many rappers are out there bridging hip-hop with nu metal? Progenitor of the sugar trap genre, punk rapper Rico Nasty takes her raspy, cutthroat flow and redefines everything you know about rap music today.
Where: Theatre of The Living Arts, 334 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Lecrae doesn’t do the most, but he does a lot. When he isn’t busy being a music producer, a social activist and an entrepreneur, Houston artist Lecrae shows us how he became the first rapper ever to win Best Gospel Artist at the BET Awards.
Eladio Carrión has had folks bouncing ever since his Vine days. The Puerto Rican trap and reggaeton artist has collabed with artists locally and all around the world, including Bad Bunny and Karol G, introducing new generations into the world of Latin hip-hop.
Seen earlier this year at Questlove’s curated 50th anniversary of hip-hop tribute at the 2023 Grammy Awards — and again via Black Thought’s poetic love letter to hip-hop on BET — The Roots’ contributions to hip-hop have been as timeless as the band itself. Each year, the Philly hip-hop band curates The Roots Picnic, a multi-day music fest lining up both legendary acts and the hottest new up-and-comers. For 2023, attendees can look forward to performances from the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill, the incomparable Usher and Philly’s own Lil Uzi Vert, as well as Busta Rhymes, Eve, The Isley Brothers and so many more.
WURD Radio’s Message In Our Music: Black Music as a Soundtrack to Inspire or Incite celebrates 50 years of hip-hop with a full hip-hop panel discussion, a music trivia game show (with prizes!), a hip-hop dance jam and an open mic. Purchase your tickets in advance or at the door.
Where: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, the all-day Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival features floats, performances and food. Spectators at this year’s parade should keep an eye out for a float dedicated to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. (Stay tuned for more details.)
Where: Various locations including Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
During the 2023 Wawa Welcome America festival, the African American Museum in Philadelphia commemorates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with the Liberation Rising: Juneteenth Block Party & Free Museum Day. Attendees can look forward to a hip-hop tribute by the iconic DJ Spinderella (of Salt-N-Pepa fame), outdoor entertainment, giveaways, hands-on activities, food trucks, a marketplace highlighting Black-owned businesses and free admission to the museum’s new Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America exhibition (with online registration).
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Prolific West Philly rapper Chill Moody joins The Philadelphia Orchestra in this world-premiere performance of Black Metropolis by composer Darin Atwater. The layered piece explores the intersections of classical music, hip-hop, spoken word and dance.
Who run the world? The only correct answer is Beyoncé. Queen Bey brings her highly anticipated Renaissance tour to the sports complex complete with elaborate choreography, sets, costumes and vocals.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, PA
Class is in session during the High School Reunion Tour, which sees collaborators Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa (did you see their 2012 stoner comedy Mac & Devin Go To High School?) reunite once again. The bill is rounded out by West Coast rappers Too $hort, Warren G and Berner.
Where: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
Two of the most influential voices in hip-hop take the stage in South Philly for what is Drake’s first tour in five years. Spanning the past decade of Drake’s career, the “It’s All A Blur” tour will celebrate moments like Hotline Bling through Her Loss, a collaborative album with 21 Savage.
It’s time to party at Francisville Playground with this free, all-ages community day. The event features youth activities including face painting, moon bounces and a videogame truck; community organizations offering mental health services, family counseling, job placement and more; and the main event, the Elements of Hip Hop performance showcase, with b-boy and b-girl breakdance battles, live graffiti and mural painting, performances by hip-hop MCs, a DJ skills showcase, and free food courtesy of Lil Trent’s Grille & Pizzeria. Let’s go!
Where: Francisville Playground, 1737 Francis Street, Philadelphia, PA
Hip Hop in the Park takes over Eakins Oval with an old-school hip-hop party showcasing the spirit of hip-hop culture through DJs, MCs, breakdancing and graffiti. This 50th anniversary of hip-hop celebration is free to attend with RSVP.
Where: Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Turns out, 20 years later, 50 Cent got rich but didn’t die trying. Hard to believe, but it’s been two decades since Curtis Jackson burst into da Club, and the Queens rapper celebrates the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, with a world tour that drops by Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on the Camden waterfront on August 12. Fitty promises a show filled with greatest hits and songs he hasn’t performed live in decades. Bonus: Twelve-time Grammy-nominated legend Busta Rhymes comes along for the ride.
Darryl McDaniels — founding member of iconic hip-hop group Run-DMC — appears and performs at this record shop just off of South Street. The free, all-ages event celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and the launch of a new DMC Universe comic.
Where: Cratediggaz Records, 711 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Roll up for this special 50th anniversary of hip-hop late-night skate sesh at Philly SkatePlex. Break out your best moves to hot beats by local DJs and enjoy pay-as-you-go refreshments at the food court. Tickets are required (but you can bring your own skates).
Where: Philly SkatePlex, 11586 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?