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"Hip-hop culture is America's culture," said Vice President Kamala Harris during a first-of-its-kind celebration of 50 years of hip-hop.
Over the weekend, VP Harris teamed up with the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective and Live Nation Urban to host a star-studded event at her home in Washington, D.C. While giving remarks, the VP called hip-hop the ultimate American art form. "It shapes nearly every aspect of America's popular culture and reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people," she shared.
The celebratory event was attended by more than 400 guests, including Congressman Rafael Warnock of Georgia, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, and DJ D-Nice. Hip-hop legends Doug E. Fresh, Common, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, and Jezzy were also among those who hit the stage to celebrate hip-hop's 50-year anniversary.
In an exclusive interview with the Black Information Network, D-Nice spoke about what the event meant to him, saying, "Hip-hop saved my life. and to know that you start out with hip-hop culture in the Bronx and go all the way to the Vice President's house is a major thing." He added, "I'm grateful to have been in this culture for almost 40 years, which is insane."
Attendees also heard remarks from Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. The event marked the first time in U.S. history that a sitting Vice President has hosted this type of celebration.
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