Swizz Beatz, one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, is celebrating the release of his latest project, Hip Hop 50: Vol 2.
The EP is part of Mass Appeal's Hip-Hop 50 celebration, which began last year with DJ Premier's Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 1. Swizz Beatz produced and curated the new EP, which features six tracks showcasing a range of hip-hop talent, from old-schoolers like Jadakiss to rising stars like Scar Lip.
To celebrate the release of the EP, Swizz Beatz held a commemorative event at VERONIKA/FOTOGRAFISKA in NYC, which was sponsored by Mass Appeal & Hennessy. Scar Lip, who appears on the EP, also made an appearance at the event. Swizzy took the opportunity to show love to the rising emcee by bringing her to the stage for a performance of her viral hit, “This is New York.”
Check out some of the highlights from the event:
Swizz Beatz has been working hard to celebrate hip-hop history even before teaming up with Mass Appeal for Hip-Hop 50. His and Timbaland's Verzuz hits battles were a way to highlight the legends of yesteryear and bring their contributions to the hip-hop canon to the fore for younger generations. However, their efforts were nearly derailed after partnering with Triller, prompting them to sue the streaming platform's parent company for $28 million. A settlement was reached last September in which Swizz and Tim will receive a greater ownership stake, giving it to the artists who appear on the platform. However, there haven't been any Verzuz events announced since then.
The Hip-Hop 50 celebrations continue, with the Grammys producing a massive tribute performance and outlets like BET joining the fun with the help of rappers like Black Thought. Uproxx's own coverage so far includes interviews with DJ Premier and Just Blaze. These celebrations are a testament to the enduring influence of hip-hop and its continued relevance in today's music industry. With Swizz Beatz and other influential figures leading the way, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the world of hip-hop in the coming years.
Hip-Hop 50: Vol. 2 is out now via Mass Appeal. Check it out now!
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