![]() The party-starting, feel-good rhymes of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight, " the first global rap hit, paved the way for the piercing social commentary and "reality rap" fueling Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five 's hit single "The Message," the latter of which can be traced to current-day rap prophets like Kendrick Lamar and Noname. Over the past five decades, the sound has expanded as a multi-genre invention. Hip-hop today is a powerful, unapologetic force that has influenced every genre of music and impacted every facet of society and pop culture around the world. What began as a local sound and burgeoning scene in the "Boogie Down Bronx" has since evolved into a global movement. 11, 1973, would become known as the origin of hip-hop, with Herc being anointed the genre's founding father. While there is evidence that foundational elements of hip-hop emerged long before it boomed out of that South Bronx party - listen to Pigmeat Markham's "Here Comes The Judge" from 1968, for example - this momentous day, Aug. The genre's mythical-like origin remains an integral part of American history: From the recreation room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, an 18-story apartment building in the South Bronx, New York City, DJ Kool Herc captivated audiences young and old as he commanded the turntables at a birthday party for his sister, Cindy Campbell, while MCs Theodore Puccio and Coke La Rock shouted out rhymes over Herc's instrumental beats. But on this night, he proved that one of our heroes was still very much alive.At its core, hip-hop began as a joyful expression, a grassroots community-organizing method, and an outlet to creatively and freely rebel against the socioeconomic turmoil happening across America in the early '70s. “We lost a lot of heroes this year,” said Puff. That led perfectly into “I’ll Be Missing You,” as Puff and all of the night’s Family members were joined by a gospel choir to take us all home. The Biggie medley included hits like “One More Chance,” “Juicy” and “Hypnotize,” as Puff Daddy made sure to keep Big Poppa’s presence alive. Mase returned to deliver solo hits “Feels So Good” and “What You Want,” but then it was another Bad Boy family member, the late Notorious B.I.G., who made an appearance-in spirit, at least. Mariah Carey Makes ESSENCE Festival Debut and Enters Like the R&B-Pop Queen She Is We here to bring you up,” they said to all the ladies in the crowd. Next up was French Montana, who joined Puff for a moment of ESSENCE Festival empowerment: “We here to celebrate Black excellence. Puff joined Evans onstage to playfully warble a bit of that Faith ballad, then told the crowd, “It would be no Bad Boy if it wasn’t for the First Lady of Bad Boy.” And Evans earned every single bit of that praise during her mini-set. Starting with “You Used to Love Me,” she really took the Sunday night finale to church with “Soon as I Get Home.” ![]() Then the R&B quartet 112 hit the stage to drop some smooth crooning-and dance moves-on the crowd with hits like “Peaches & Cream.” But the show reached its second peak when Faith Evans came out to represent the ladies. ![]() Wearing a gold-and-black bomber-and still flashing those dimples with that killer smile-Mase rolled back the clock to his ’90s heyday, as he and Puff delivered the one-two punch of “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and “Been Around the World.” With their bromantic chemistry, the pair showed that they still make a dynamic duo after all of these years. ![]() Kendrick Lamar Brings Down the House for 2nd ESSENCE Festival Performanceīut it was when the first Family member, Mase, joined Puff onstage that the party really got turned up. He pumped up the crowd with hits like “Bad Boy for Life,” demonstrating that he was just that. Even security was rocking to the string of hits that Puff Daddy & the Family threw down.ĭecked out in all black everything-save for his massive gold chain-Puff Dady took the stage solo at the beginning of the show. Making his ESSENCE Festival debut, Puff Daddy was joined by Bad Boy family members Mase, 112, Faith Evans and French Montana-as well as surprise guests Fabolous and Marsha Ambrosius-during a set that had everyone on their feet, dancing in the aisles and by their seats. And Puff Daddy & the Family turned the New Orleans Superdome into one big house party during their epic ESSENCE Festival finale.
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