Nas Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Rakim at Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards. In a momentous event that brought together the trailblazers of hip hop, Nas, the legendary rapper, took center stage at the Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards to pay homage to one of the genre’s founding figures, Rakim. The ceremony, held on November 18, witnessed Nas reciting iconic lyrics from “Paid in Full” and delivering a heartfelt tribute to Rakim and other heroes who shaped the landscape of hip hop.
Nas Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Rakim at Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards. The Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards commenced with Nas’s poignant acknowledgment of Rakim’s influence. “That verse — that song, ‘Paid In Full’ — said, ‘I can think it,'” Nas expressed. “Because of you, my brother, I made it. Because of Doug E. Fresh, Flavor Flav, I gotta shout out all my heroes. Because of y’all, I made it. And I’m forever in debt to y’all.”
Nas’s tribute extended beyond Rakim, recognizing the broader contributions of hip hop luminaries such as Scarface. The event not only celebrated the artistic legacy of these pioneers but also marked the inaugural presentation of a significant grant from the Paid In Full Foundation, an organization co-founded by Nas, Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreesen Horowitz, and Felicia Horowitz.
The Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards, conceived by the Paid In Full Foundation, aim to rectify the historical oversight of original hip hop artists who may not have received proportional recognition for their cultural contributions. In a groundbreaking move, the foundation honored Rakim and Scarface with a grant of half a million dollars and healthcare benefits.
Steve Stoute, revealing the news on the Rap Radar podcast, outlined the foundation’s mission: “And on November 17, we are honoring those who have led the culture but have not received the financial rewards that are on par with their cultural contribution.”
The Paid In Full Foundation seeks to bridge this gap by recognizing and supporting individuals who played pivotal roles in the development of hip hop.
The Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards not only stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of hip hop but also signify a commitment to rectifying the financial disparities that some of its pioneers faced. Nas’s tribute to Rakim echoes the sentiment of gratitude felt by an entire generation of artists who owe their success to the groundbreaking work of those who came before them.
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