top of page

Vevo Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop, Partners With Hip-Hop Icons for Exclusive Content

Jan 26, 2023
2 min read

CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF WITH PUBLIC ENEMY’S

“FIGHT THE POWER” FOR VEVO FOOTNOTES


“Hip Hop turning 50 means that there can be no doubt, no argument, no ignorance

about its consequence in the world. Back when PE was coming up, it was in the days before social media. Videos were the only way to connect with hip hop fans around the world. They delivered songs in a full package of sight, sound, story and style. A truly underrated art form. Vevo keeps that connection solid, not only for us but for hip hop artists from every corner of the globe. Here's to the next 50.”

- Chuck D



Vevo, the world's leading music video network, today announces how it will celebrate and honor the historic 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop.


Throughout 2023, the company will be partnering with hip-hop's most influential artists for bespoke original content and specialized programming. Special editions of Vevo Footnotes, a series that takes viewers behind-the-scenes of their favorite videos, as well as Vevo ctrl, a series that features hard-hitting, cutting edge artists, will see appearances from hip hop legends such as:


A$AP Rocky

Common

Cypress Hill

De La Soul

Grand Puba

Havoc (Mobb Deep)

Lil Wayne

Ludacris

Macklemore

Mack Maine

MC Serch (3rd Bass)

Naughty by Nature

Public Enemy

Raekwon

Salt-N-Pepa

Souls of Mischief

T.I.


Vevo will also have special programming dedicated to celebrating all aspects of the groundbreaking genre, including “Legends In Concert,” “Hip-Hop International,” “2K Hip-Hop Legends,” “Rock Meets Rap,” “70’s Sampled Songs,” ‘80’s Sampled Songs”, and more.


“Hip-hop hasn’t just shaped music; it’s shaped culture as a whole - from fashion, language, sports, even politics and beyond, and music videos have been there to aid in propelling those cultural shifts forward,” says Jordan Glickson, vice President, Music & Talent, Vevo, “Vevo has continued to nurture the groundwork laid by hip-hop pioneers, creating a platform for hip-hop videos to not only live, but thrive. In fact, we’ve seen the genre become one of our most-viewed on our network these past few years. It’s a privilege for us to take our ctrl franchise, which has continuously showcased the best artists of today and tomorrow, and use it to shine a deserving spotlight on these legendary artists and their iconic art. We look forward to celebrating Hip-Hop at 50 with these artists and our audience throughout all of 2023.”


To kick off the celebrations, Vevo teamed up with Chuck D for an exclusive look behind the scenes of Public Enemy’s groundbreaking music video “Fight The Power” for Vevo Footnotes, from their critically acclaimed album Fear of a Black Planet. Chuck D explains the writing process, concept for the video, the alloy of sounds used and public reception of the Spike Lee-directed video.


“We knew we were doing something historical.”

- Chuck D on “Fight The Power” for Vevo Footnotes





 
 
 

14 Comments


auntieannesmenu
6 days ago

It’s great to see Vevo treating hip-hop as more than just a music genre and highlighting its wider influence on culture, storytelling, fashion, and visual expression. The behind-the-scenes approach with “Fight The Power” is especially interesting because it gives viewers more context about how the music and video came together. I also think the emphasis on creative expression is one of the reasons music videos have remained such an effective way of connecting artists with audiences. Outside of music, I’ve found that regular practice can also help develop everyday skills and confidence over time. Great way to celebrate such an influential part of music history.

Like

jv
7 days ago

Hip-hop’s influence on music, fashion, language, and visual culture is incredible. The connection between music and visual expression has always been a huge part of the genre, from iconic videos to graffiti-inspired artwork. For anyone interested in experimenting with creative lettering and graffiti-style designs, grafite letras diferentes is a fun resource to explore. https://letras-diferentes.co/

Like

ale
ale
Aug 26

It's fantastic to see Vevo paying tribute to 50 years of hip-hop with such an immersive campaign! The focus on iconic tracks like Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" highlights how deeply music videos have shaped the genre's narrative. I remember watching those videos as a kid and feeling a connection to the culture, which is something that continues today. Celebrating this legacy is essential, and it’s exciting to think about how new artists can build on this foundation. For anyone interested in exploring more about hip-hop's influence and some cool collaborations, Abyssus has some great insights too!

Like

ale
ale
Aug 26

It's amazing to see Vevo honoring 50 years of hip-hop with such a profound project. The partnership with legends like Public Enemy to kick off the celebration is a perfect reminder of how impactful their music has been, especially with tracks like "Fight The Power" that resonate even today. Hip-hop really has shaped culture in so many ways, and it’s great to see platforms like Vevo highlighting its journey. As a fan of storytelling in music videos, I often dive into the behind-the-scenes aspects through platforms like Decaying Winter Wiki to appreciate the artistry involved.

Like

It's exciting to see Vevo honoring hip-hop's 50th anniversary with such iconic artists! Chuck D's words about the genre's impact really resonate. The mix of history and innovation in their programming sounds like a great way to bridge generations of fans. For those looking to explore more connections in music, SBTI Match offers some interesting insights on cultural influences. Can’t wait to see what else they have planned!

Like
bottom of page