Hip-hop was celebrated in the most star-studded and epic way at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
On music’s biggest night on February 5, a number of hip-hop heavyweights took to the stage to celebrate the genre’s 50th anniversary. LL Cool J first took the stage to present the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, with Dre making a speech upon accepting the trophy. LL then introduced the performance, noting that some major actors were missing but that it would be a must see show.
The performance, which featured The Roots, was divided into three chapters to tell the story of hip-hop. As artists like Run-DMC, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes continued to take to the stage, Grammys audiences – including Jay-Z, Pharrell and even Shania Twain – and Twitter couldn’t contain their enthusiasm.
The camera continued to pan to Jay-Z and his crew, who were amazed to see artist after artist take the stage.
DJ Khaled was also seen holding a lighter.
“For Culture,” LL Cool J wrapped up the star-studded performance.
On Twitter, people and some celebrities were thrilled and praising the performers.
“The Women of HipHop!!” actor Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted.
Actor Jackee Harry tweeted“It’s a fantastic reminder that hip hop has produced more than beautiful artists. The #Grammys2023 scene is full of inventors and visionaries!”
“This hip-hop tribute is amazing!! #grammys!! Y’all did it!!!” one person tweeted.
“HIP-HOP IS SO IMPORTANT. INCREDIBLE TRIBUTE, THANK YOU to the GRAMMYs,” one user tweeted.
Others shared screenshots, GIFs and more of their reactions to watching.
“This fucking @questlove is a genius. This tribute to hip hop was insane,” wrote writer Jemele Hill.
“Just seeing Too Short perform ‘Blow The Whistle’ on Primetime CBS made me giddy,” Kendall B. wrote.
Of course, there were other people who called out the performance for not including artists like Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, Nicki Minaj, or Lauryn Hill.
Check out the full 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop lineup below:
Chapter 1:
Black Thought Narrative
Grandmaster Flash featuring Barshon, Mele Mel, Rahiem & Scorpio – “Flash To The Beat”
Grandmaster Flash featuring Barshon, Mele Mel, Rahiem & Scorpio – “The Message”
Run-DMC – “The King of Rock”
LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
DJ Jazzy Jeff – “Rock The Bells”
Salt-N-Pepa – “My Mic Sounds Great”
Rakim – “Eric B is President”
Chuck D & Flavor Flav – “Rebel Without a Break”
Chapter 2:
Black Pansy featuring LL Cool J – “El Shabazz Skit”
De La Soul – “Buddy”
Scarface – “My mind is playing tricks on me”
Ice-T – “New Jack Hustler (Nino’s Theme)”
Queen Latifah – “UNITY”
Method Man – “Method Man”
Big Boi – “ATLinks”
Busta Rhymes & Spliff Star – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” / “Look at Me Now”
Missy Elliott – “Losing Control”
Chapter 3:
Story of Queen Latifah
Nelly & City Spud – “Hot in Herre”
Too $hort – “Whistle the Whistle”
Swizz Beatz & The Lox – “We’re Gonna Make It Happen”
Lil Wayne – “One Milli”
Lil Baby – “Freestyle”
GloRilla – “FNF (Let’s Go)”
Future – “F— Up Some Commas”
LL Cool J – “I Just Want To Rock”
Follow TODAY.com for complete coverage of the Grammys, including this year’s winnersunexpected moments and unmissable performances from the biggest names in music.
