Cover Art: ‘Hip Hop 50 Volume 1’

Celebrating five decades of hip-hop, the #HipHop50 project is set to kick off a series of ten EPs. The first features five tracks produced by DJ Premier.

DJ Premier has announced a July 15 release date for a new EP. The project, Hip Hop 50 Volume 1, is the first in a ten-tape series from the Nas-led Mass Appeal label and the #HipHop50 project — a multiplatform celebration of five decades of hip hop. Premier’s installment is loaded with features from Nas, Joey Badass, Remy Ma, Rapsody, Run the Jewels, Slick Rick, and Lil Wayne.

“It’s an honor to kick off this iconic Hip Hop 50 music program,” DJ Premier said in a press release. “Hip-hop continues to inspire fans across the globe and it’s incredible to think of what the next 50 years will bring.”

 

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DJ Premier’s is the first of the five-track EPs, which will each be curated by a different producer with either a regional or topical mission. Premier’s EP is focused on the early years of hip-hop and will be followed by Swizz Beats for the East Coast, DJ Mustard for the West Coast, The-Dream with an R&B focus, Mike WiLL Made-It for the South, No I.D. for the Midwest, Hit-Boy with a celebration of lyricism, Take a Daytrip with the alternative sounds of hip-hop, and Tainy demonstrating the genre’s global reach. The tenth and final EP will be a fan-led effort that will be curated by a public vote.

Here is the tracklist for Hip Hop 50 Volume 1:

1. “Lettin’ Off Steam” Ft. Joey Bada$$

2. “Remy Rap” Ft. Remy Ma and Rapsody

3. “Beat Breaks” Ft. Nas

4. “Terrible 2s” Ft. Run the Jewels

5. “The Root of All” Ft. Slick Rick and Lil Wayne

It’s been nearly five decades since a 1973 summer’s-end party in the West Bronx was credited with birthing hip=hop. The cover of Volume 1 pays homage to that very same party with the address, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, partially visible across the top of a colorful boombox.

The #HipHop50 project will span three years and branch into mediums outside of music as well. A partnership with Live Nation Urban will spawn a slew of live events, and the Paramount +/Showtime partnership has already brought us “SUPREME TEAM,” a three-part docuseries on the notorious Queens gang.

A portion of proceeds from the #HipHop50 project will be donated to various charitable organizations, including the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which is set to open its doors in The Bronx in 2024.