Summer Jam 2023 celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop with Hip Hop heavyweight line up
As one of the year’s most highly anticipated music festivals, HOT 97’s Summer Jam annually serves as one of the largest live Hip Hop music & culture celebrations in America. In fact, many may even argue that it’s the industry’s most legendary Hip Hop show. Continuously pushing the culture forward, it’s back for its 29th year! With that being said, after nearly two decades, HOT 97’s Summer Jam has returned to its roots in New York! In doing so, they brought back some of the biggest names in Hip Hop on one stage for one night only!
Hot 97’s Summer Jam is Hip-Hop
Since its inception, Summer Jam has become a staple within the culture. With hip-hop celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, coinciding with the concert relocating from New Jersey to New York, Sunday’s star studded line up had a heavy influence of stars who hailed from the Tri-State area. The radio powerhouse provided generations of feel good hip-hop by bringing out the biggest names in the game. The start of the show saw the “Don’t Play With It” femcee, Lola Brooke slay as she was styled by VisionaryBash. Keeping it cute, Lola’s choreography made Auntie Tey proud as she killed the 8-hour session, last-minute- learned choreography. Additionally, the thriving talent put on for her hometown as she brought out special guests Billy B, Maiya The Don, and Kenzo B.
The Ladies Are Leading Hip Hop
Next, Coi Leray closed her set with a stunning performance of her popular hit “Players”. She performed the smash single surrounded by dancers, as they combined choreo from Jersey Club and viral Tik Tok dances. Merging generations marvelously, Coi highlighted her hit. The original sample of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” with the current DJ Saige remix using Busta Rhymes’ “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”, sees old school meeting new school. She then accelerated the pace, finishing the set at a fever pitch with the audience on its feet.
Trailblazing through the industry, Ice Spice arrives and she’s a baddie with her baddie friends as she rocks the mic and Summer Jam stage. Ice brings the baddies out with surprise guest performances by Kali and Flo Milli. As well as a little “Gangsta Boo” loving with Lil TJay on their collaborative classic. Remaining a force to be reckoned with, Ice Spice continues breaking records like she is the internet. A night made up of celebration, the “people’s princess” is gifted her Gold plaque for her debut drop, “Munch” as she wraps up her Summer Jam set.
DaBaby Had The Ladies “Shake Sumn” At Summer Jam 2023
Summer Jam’s striking moment happened about halfway through the night. The turning point when it really got turnt up, was when DaBaby was brought out by Funkmaster Flex. In recent years, he has hardly made stage appearances since a controversial comment turned rant at the Rolling Loud festival in 2021. However, DaBaby’s presence, was felt and caused the capacity audience to go wild! As he approached the audience, he performed three of his raved releases, including “Shake Sumn”. In addition to inviting female ticket holders to twerk for him while Flex spun the Summer sizzling single on repeat.
Next up, during his 20-minute set, French Montana performed a string of standout singles and mixtape anthems. Accompanied by guest appearances from Remy Ma. There was no better moment in his act than when he played his hit “All The Way Up” with Fat Joe and Remy Ma. After finishing his featured verse, Remy casually came onto the stage, eliciting a big reverberation of cheers from the crowd. Following up French, was The Lox, whom serve as the most seasoned act on the Summer Jam bill.
The Lox Bridges Generational Gap in Hip-Hop
Their set was billed as a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. They made the most of the celebratory circumstances by performing their hit material. While also bridging the generational gap in Hip-Hop by bringing out Rakim and Scar Lip to perform their trendy tracks. Rakim, recognized as Rap’s pioneered rhymer, rapped “Eric B. For President” and “Paid in Full”. While Scar Lip, New York’s newcomer, had the audience rapping along to her breakout banger “This is New York”.
Cardi B closed the New York-centric Summer Jam festival with the night’s most lavish stage set up. The Grammy-winning triple threat star delivered a show to remember. Complete with fireworks, fog and stream, a descending stairway, and stripper poles. She performed Cardi classics like “Press,” “WAP,” and “I Like It”. As well as featured records with Latto, 21 Savage, Glorilla, and Dougie B.
Step Into the Summer Jam Spotlight
Powered by #DefiantXWarnerRecords and Hot 97, the Summer Jam stage was shut down! As headliner, Cardi B, closed out the show but not before highlighting Hip-Hop’s hottest hitmakers. As a result, The Lox, French Montana, Fivio Foreign, Lil TJay, Lola Brooke, Coi Leray, Ice Spice, and more brought the heat. Furthermore, this year’s Warner Records Festival Stage saw emerging emcees further expanding their fanbase. The crowd was highly receptive and supportive of all of the aspiring acts as well. Nonetheless, Hip-Hop showed up and showed out on the hottest night in the city on behalf of Hot 97! Don’t believe me? Take a glimpse inside the industry’s hottest Summer stage here at Hip-HopVibe.com.
Photos shot by: DannyDigital (Daniel Cole)
Summer Jam 2023 celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop with Hip Hop heavyweight line up
