CBS and the Recording Academy have announced plans to honor hip-hop legends past and present with a Grammys concert special airing in December.
The special titled A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop will feature performances by some of the most popular artists in the industry, CBS said in a press release Friday.
Among the hip-hop stars set to take the stage are Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady Of Rage, LL CooL J, MC Sha-Rock, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke, and Yo-Yo. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Related Story: Jay-Z Says Explains Why He Boycotted the Grammys
In the past, some hip-hop artists — including Jay-Z, Drake, and Rap-A-Lot Records founder J. Prince — have boycotted the Grammys for not giving hip hop its due.
Drake expressed frustration that he’s never won a Grammy outside the rap categories, and his management team asked the Recording Academy to remove him from consideration for the 2022 awards. Although several outlets reported this week that Drake ended his Grammys snub and has submitted his joint album with 21 Savage, Her Loss, for consideration.
In February 2023, the Recording Academy seemingly tried to make amends by saluting the 50th anniversary of hip hop with a performance featuring Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Run DMC, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Rakim, Public Enemy, LL Cool J and other artists at the 65th annual Grammy Awards.
The upcoming Grammy special is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. It tapes Nov. 8 at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. Tickets can be purchased here.
Executive producers include Jesse Collins, Shawn Gee and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of Two One Five Entertainment, Dionne Harmon, Claudine Joseph, LL COOL J, Fatima Robinson and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay. Marcello Gamma serves as director of the special.
A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop airs Sunday, Dec. 10 from 8:30-10:30 PM ET/8:00-10:00 PM PT on the CBS Television Network, and streams on Paramount+.
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