There’s no higher option to mark hip-hop’s fiftieth anniversary than with a stacked lineup stuffed with legendary artists!
Flocking to Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, on August 5, festival-goers have been able to rejoice this momentous event with Rock The Bells Pageant 2023. The hype was by means of the roof, however did the sold-out competition reside as much as expectations? Let’s discover out with a particular SiriusXM recap of the competition’s hottest highlights.
Hear Rock The Bells Pageant 2023 Replays and Music on the SiriusXM App
Get Hyped
We had our very personal Torae on the bottom able to keep watch over the entire greatest happenings for LL COOL J’s Rock the Bells Radio (Ch. 43). With 5 a long time of innovation, progress, and artistry to rejoice, the environment was electrical.
We’re right here @RockTheBells ‼️ Tune In for extra on Rock The Bells Radio: https://t.co/JblSHgc3vO pic.twitter.com/OZkKBDIZdx
— SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) August 5, 2023
Founder and curator LL COOL J was prepared and raring to go, with guarantees that he would “kick some ass on stage.” Not solely that, however he actually rocked one specific bell to assist rejoice the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop: the Nasdaq opening bell!
With a jewel-encrusted boombox by his facet, he spoke of hip-hop being a “world cultural phenomenon” that “has touched lives and transcended boundaries.” Watch the whole thing of his speech beneath:
Welcoming @RockTheBells to the @NasdaqExchange Opening Bell. https://t.co/ZWrilVr13D
— Nasdaq Change (@NasdaqExchange) August 3, 2023
Backstage Exclusives
There was loads of pleasure backstage on the competition with so many icons and legends on the brink of rock. Grandmaster Flash, for instance, gave us some phrases of knowledge about perseverance and sustaining focus.
Does anybody else all of the sudden really feel like they’re on the best path, they usually simply must keep it up? Thanks, Flash!
We obtained Questlove to speak in confidence to us too, and now we’re prepared to provide meditation one other shot. If it’s ok for Questlove, it’s ok for us! To not point out it clearly works, if the epic headlining efficiency he later gave along with his band, The Roots, in addition to DJ Z-Journey and LL Cool J, is something to go by.
Showtime
Kicking off the competition in fashion, the Chilly Crush Brothers lived as much as their title and crushed it. In paving the way in which for future hip-hop artists to interrupt into the mainstream, their contribution to the style is gigantic — and their efficiency at Rock The Bells Pageant proved that they’ve not solely nonetheless obtained it, however they’re not even near dropping it.
Slick Rick obtained the gang going along with his set too. Blasting “Auditorium” — his monitor with Mos Def — obtained the place bouncing. We nonetheless can’t get that hook out of our heads!
The celebration was in full swing with Swizz Beatz on the stage. Listening to the gang sing alongside gave us chills — and when Swizz Beatz tells you to place your arms up, you place your arms up!
Queen Latifah. Want we are saying extra? We are going to, however her set left us speechless! With an exceptional rendition of “U.N.I.T.Y.” — with a bit assist from MC Lyte, Rapsody, Monie Love, Renée Neufville, and Remy Ma — and a touching dedication to her mom, Rita Owens, it was an actual spotlight of the night time. All hail the queen!
From rapper to enterprise girl to actress, is there something The Queen can’t do? 👑🔥 @IAMQUEENLATIFAH dedicating a part of her set to her mother, Rita Owens, and sharing the stage with so many legendary artists is a reminder of why she’s an icon. 🙌❤️👑#QueenLatifah #RockTheBells pic.twitter.com/ZB5cy8bDnE
— Rock The Bells (@RockTheBells) August 7, 2023
To be so near the Bronx, the place all of it started, marking this milestone anniversary in such a joyful manner appears like a becoming celebration of hip-hop tradition. Rock The Bells themselves stated it greatest:
Yo, shout out to all of the fierce Hip-Hop heads out right here! 🎤💥 Simply wished to drop a large THANK YOU for being part of the Rock the Bells household. Your ardour, vitality, and love for this tradition preserve our flames burnin’!
— Rock The Bells (@RockTheBells) August 6, 2023
Let’s preserve that keenness, vitality, and love going! For 2023, the bells have effectively and really been rocked for us right here at SiriusXM… however who’s prepared for the following outing? With a cruise on the horizon, in addition to the potential for a 2024 version of the competition, there’s rather a lot to stay up for! Within the meantime, preserve the celebration going with LL COOL J’s Rock the Bells Radio, and we’ll see you there subsequent yr!