Jermaine Dupri will be honored at the 2023 Essence Festival for the 30th Anniversary of his label, So So Def. Other tributes expected to be spotlighted at the festival will also include hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
The 2023 Essence Festival will pay a tribute to producer/mogul Jermaine Dupri for the 30th anniversary of his label, So So Def Recordings, according to Essence.
Dupri will also perform at the festival including some of the artists he signed to his Atlanta label in the last 30 years. Notable artists who have been on So So Def include Da Brat, Bow Wow, Kris Kross, TLC, Usher, Jagged Edge, Xscape, and others.
Essence Fest will also honor hip-hop for the genre’s 50th anniversary.
The 2023 Essence Festival Lineup + Hip-Hop’s 50th
Essence, known as a magazine originally written for Black women, headlines its festival with rap legend Lauryn Hill and Houston’s own Megan Thee Stallion, two prominent women in hip-hop.
Megan Thee Stallion is also set to perform at the NCAA Men’s March Madness Festival in Houston in April.
The “Ex-Factor” singer will perform hits from her classic 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Hill, Ashanti, and Nas surprised fans with a performance at 2022’s Essence Festival.
Other performances will be from artists such as Wizkid, Coco Jones, Kizz Daniels, Monica, and Doug E. Fresh will have an exceptional performance to honor the pioneers of hip-hop.
The festival will also have DJs present, such as DJ Clark Kent, DJ Kid Capri, and DJ Spinderella.
Comedians such as Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams, and Janelle James will take turns hosting the four-day festival that starts June 29 in New Orleans.
In the past year, many rappers have celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, such as The Roots’ Black Thought, writing a love letter to hip-hop and Brooklyn rapper Lola Brooke becoming the face of Timberland’s new campaign.
Timberland boots have been a staple in hip-hop fashion culture since the 1990s. Hip-Hop has also inspired many movies centered around the culture.
In addition, there was an outstanding performance by many rap legends honoring the 50th anniversary of hip-hop during the 2023 Grammy Awards in February.
DJ Premier Celebrated 50 Years Of Hip-Hop Culture With New Album, “Hip-Hop 50 Volume 1”
DJ Premier announced a new album in July 2022 that would celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The album is called Hip-Hop 50 Volume 1 and was released on July 15, 2022. Rappers on the album included Joey Bada$$, Lil Wayne, Slick Rick, Remy Ma, Rapsody, Run The Jewels, and Nas.