Legendary rap duo Run-DMC has given hip-hop enthusiasts an electrifying last performance during Yankee Stadium’s Hip Hop 50 show which came off this weekend in New York.
The iconic rap group stormed the stage on Friday, August 11 at the tail-end of the show which was powered by Mass Appeal in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop genre/culture.
Both Joesph “Rev. Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels performed a slew of their classic hits including “It’s Like That,” “Sucker MC’s,” “It’s Tricky,” “Walk This Way,” and “My Adidas.”
Apart from the hard-hitting production, the heartbeat of each tune was propelled by deceased ace DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell’s precise turntables scratches. The legendary DJ was shot in 2002 at a New York recording studio.
At the spike of Run-DMC’s performance, their famous red, Black, and white logo flashed on the screen with the message, “JMJ 4EVER” which was a nod to the pioneering DJ.
watch a video of a memorable performance below:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group first poked fun at their retirement back in January when DMC sat down with Rock the Bells,
“Run-DMC is over,” he said. “The only way Run-DMC gets back together is if The Beatles get back together. Can that happen?”
Before Run-DMC’s performance, Nas stunned enthusiasts with a special guest appearance from Ms Lauryn Hill during his performance at the star-studded show.
“Right now I feel like I’m in the only place I should be. Since ’73, Hip Hop was born for you and me,” the Queensbridge legend said before introducing Hill to an eruption from the crowd as she performed “Nobody.”
The duo moved into their It Was Written classic collab “If I Ruled The World” and then Lauryn Hill took centerstage for “Ready or Not,” “Doo Wop (That Thing),” “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “Fu-Gee-La.”
Nas also brought out Queen’s mentor Kool G Rap and finished off his set with “One Mic” before exiting the stage.
It was a historic night in honour of Hip Hop’s birthday as thousands of buffs crammed the entire stadium to honour the culture in its home.
Other entertainers at the star-studded show comprised the reunifying Park Hill-Stapleton Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, Fat Joe, Lupe Fiasco, Eve, Lil Kim, Remy Ma and Trina.
The show also paid tribute to trailblazers who assisted pave the way like Kurtis Blow, Kool Herc, Grandmaster Caz, Roxanne Shante, Melle Mel and the Sugarhill Gang.
There was even a special appearance by The Captain and New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter who set off the audience in the stadium he once named home.
By Edem Latsu Nukafu
