Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the hottest music event of the summer – HOT 97’s Summer Jam hip-hop festival. To celebrate this milestone, Hot 97 brought together legendary acts and today’s most viral sensations, creating an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages. Whether you were a long-time listener or a new fan, there was something for everyone to dance, bop, and recite rhymes to.
Held at the state-of-the-art UBS Arena, the festival drew a crowd of 19,000 fans eager to party with their favorite acts. The energy was electric from the Pre-Summer Jam festival all the way to the main show.
Chart-topping artists who lit up the stage included Doja Cat, Sexyy Red, French Montana, Davido, Gunna and some of Hip Hop’s fresh faces Connie Diamond, Lola Brooke, and Cash Cobain. Hip hop legends Method Man and Redman rocked the stage with a powerful rendition of “Da Rockwilder,” igniting the crowd.
Lola Brooke captivated the audience with her sizzling summer hits “Don’t Play With It” and “You“. Viral rising star Cash Cobain kept the energy soaring with his show-stopping performance of “Fisherrr” and other crowd favorites. Big Daddy Kane shared a heartfelt moment with the crowd bringing out the late Mister Cee’s brother and sister to commemorate the Hot 97 DJ Mister Cee tribute with a moment of silence instructing the crowd to throw up C’s. Headliner Doja Cat didn’t come to play, giving a trancing performance bringing out surprise guests ASAP Ferg, Busta Rhymes, and crowd favorite Gunna before closing out her set with fan-favorite “Paint The Town Red”.
The exclusive media lounge was accompanied by artists such as Offset, ASAP Ferg, YG Marley, Bay Swag, Davido and more. Celebrities enjoyed exclusive Ellesse apparel gifts from The Now PR and engaged in epic interviews with Fox 5’s Lisa Evers as well as HOT97 personalities DJ Mike Medium and DJ Wallah. Ending the red carpet Sexxy Red turned heads making jaws drop with her unique teddy bear. The excitement was palpable as they mingled with the press and greeted fans, setting the tone for an extraordinary evening.
HOT 97 Summer Jam’s 30th anniversary was more than a concert; it was a historic celebration of hip hop, showcasing the genre’s enduring legacy and vibrant future.
A special thank you to our incredible partners, who made this event possible: Black Girl Sunscreen, New York Alliance for Healthcare Justice, CUNY, NYC Department of Transportation, Newark Department of Health, New York City Department of Health, MetroPlusHealth, Boost Mobile, FreshLife Entertainment, Waffle Chic and Pony. Their support was crucial in making the 30th anniversary of HOT 97 Summer Jam reality.
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