BET has unveiled an ode to hip-hop to have a good time its fiftieth anniversary, delivered within the basic rhyme fashion of The Roots’ frontman Black Thought.
In a black-and-white video directed by revered video director Benny Boom, Black Thought tells the story of the origins and fast ascent of hip-hop, along with the significance to those that adore it. He narrates as scenes from rap’s historical past play out on display screen.
In an announcement, Black Thought mentioned, “I remember a time before hip hop and it’s something that we need to cherish and appreciate and not take for granted because it’s not guaranteed. Even though it’s always been there for people for the past few generations, it’s not guaranteed that it’s going to always be there if we don’t, you know what I’m saying, treat it the way we’re supposed to and continue to pour ourselves and to invest into it in an authentic way.”
Hip-Hop 50 has been celebrated throughout various platforms. LL Cool J launched a large tribute to the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop on the sixty fifth annual Grammy Awards by introducing Black Thought to kick off the festivities.
The efficiency included options from Run-DMC, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Questlove, and extra. LL Cool J introduced out his trademark boombox, earlier than ceding the stage to Salt-N-Pepa. Rakim adopted, with Questlove accomapaying him on the drums.
Chuck D and Flava Flav from Public Enemy stormed the stage instantly after, earlier than a quick interlude launched a bar-for-bar verse from Cool J and Black Thought. Houston legend Scarface got here by way of with bars from “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” by his group Geto Boys earlier than ceding the stage to Ice-T. Queen Latifah adopted, earlier than Method Manhit the stage rocking the Wu-Tang emblem behind him. Jay-Z, within the crowd, couldn’t assist however rap alongside. Big Boi rolled by way of shortly after, inflicting Pharrell within the crowd to bust out a large smile.
Listen to the perfect of The Roots on Apple Music and Spotify.