Universal Music Group are to host an exclusive program of activity for fans to celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary.
The celebrations began at the weekend with the special lighting of New York’s iconic Empire State Building in gold, to celebrate the milestone birth of Hip-Hop in the city (Friday August 11).
To coincide with the arrival of Hip-Hop’s Golden Anniversary, UMG has also launched HH50.com, a new dedicated hub where fans can find exclusive and limited merchandise and drops from many of their favorite artists from the genre – past, present, and future including: Public Enemy, Ice Spice, Rae Sremmurd, Playboi Carti, Lil Wayne, Destroy Lonely, Ken Carson among others, alongside specially curated content and playlists from UMG artists and labels, Interactive lenses, a social content aggregator of HH50 related activity and map of HH50 events in the U.S. throughout 2023. The site will also include a special playlist generator where fans can build their own Hip-Hop playlists, with more to be added and announced throughout the anniversary year.
Alexandra Hinkle, Chief Marketing Officer, Global Consumer Marketing at UMG:
“Universal Music Group is incredibly excited to continue to support artists in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. As a cornerstone of art and culture, built by the power and voices of black artists, Hip-Hop’s influence can be felt around the globe.
“This year we’re reflecting back on those voices who built the genre and shining a light on the next generation of artists who will shape its future with the launch of HH50.com, a new fan-dedicated hub that highlights this historic moment in time, and gives fans an opportunity to look back, participate and interact with the celebrations. UMG is honored that multi-platinum, award winning artists Ja Rule, Ashanti and Jadakiss will commemorate this Golden Anniversary by lighting up the Empire State Building in gold and will be supporting this historic moment with a curated celebration meant to unite artists, influential VIPs, and key innovators in the world of Hip-Hop, followed by a series of other events and activity to support this historic anniversary.”
Further events and activity from UMG’s labels and artists will be announced throughout 2023.
