Hip-hop was alive and on fire this weekend in Philadelphia! Rap icons Fabolous and Jeezy came together to headline an electrifying concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking genre, hip-hop.
One Dope Show
Saturday’s concert was presented by Dope Shows, a concert promotion company founded by Philadelphia natives, Stephan Piner and Jamir Shaw. The duo, who recently inked a deal with Live Nation, brings the hottest artists to Philadelphia, including West Philadelphia native, Toure.
Saturday’s show was no different.
Rap icons Fabulous and Jeezy were the show’s headliners. The lineup also included Philadelphia legends Philly Freeway, Yung Chris, Al “Boo-Bonic” Holly of Philly’s Most Wanted, and Spade-O of Major Figgas.
One by one, each artist took the stage at The Met Philly and performed to a sold-out crowd. And the crowd loved it, rapping along to classic hits from each artist’s respective catalogues.
From catchy hooks, to symbolic metaphors, and rhythmic bars about the Black experience, each musical performance demonstrated cultural unison and power.
Philly Freeway along with Yung Chris performed one of Philadelphia’s forever urban anthems, “What We Do” by Freeway feauturing Beanie Sigel & Jay-Z.
Like any other time the song is played on the airways or performed live, the crowd and the artist instantly become one. The song, for so many, represents a lyrical and cultural display of growing up in poverty while striving for greatness.
Greatness.
Indeed that was the theme of the night. Jeezy, one of the show’s headliners, is not only a rap veteran, he also just became a New York Times best-selling author. While Fabolous is undoubtedly a rap icon synonymous with the best rappers to come out of NYC.
A Salute To Hip Hop
Of course, as the concert unfolded, it was evident why hip-hop recently turned 50. .
Overall, Hip-hop as a whole remains a creative outlet for so many to tell their stories of pain, oppression, social justice, urban strife, dreams, and nightmares.
Dope Shows is ensuring that artists have a platform in Philadelphia to do so.
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