Lil Wayne, Common and more play Kamala Harris’ hip-hop anniversary gig

nme.com:

Lil Wayne, Common and more.The gig – dubbed ’50 Years Of Hip-Hop’ – was co-sponsored by the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Live Nation Urban.During an opening speech, Harris called the event the “first-ever hip-hop house party at the Office of the Vice President of the United States,” going on to heap praise on the genre.“Hip-hop is the ultimate American art form,” she said. “Hip-hop now shapes nearly every aspect of America’s popular culture, and it reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people.

It combines rhythms from the continent of Africa, from the Caribbean, from Latin America, with the sounds of soul and gospel and R&B and funk to create something entirely new.”“And to be clear, hip-hop culture is America’s culture.

It tells the stories that don’t make the news. But as the great Chuck D once said, rap is Black America’s CNN. And by telling the truth, hip-hop calls us to action.”See footage from the gig below.Vice President Kamala Harris introduces the 50th anniversary of hip hop celebration at her residence in D.C.

pic.twitter.com/D12mLGB9kd— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 9, 2023Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about what hip hop means to Americans at the 50th celebration event in D.C.