Papoose presents 50 Years of Hip Hop – 40/40 Club – New York (A PopEntertainment.com Concert RevIEW)

Papoose presents 50 Years of Hip Hop – A Celebration of What's to Come – the 40/40 Club – New York, NY – April 13, 2023

The 50th anniversary of hip-hop marks a significant milestone for a cultural movement that has transformed music, fashion, and art across the globe. Originating in the South Bronx of New York City in the early 1970s, hip-hop emerged as a voice for marginalized youth to express themselves through music, dance, and graffiti art. Since then, hip-hop has become a cultural phenomenon that continues to evolve and break down barriers. Papoose is a rapper who has made significant contributions to the hip hop community that goes beyond music.

The Brooklyn rapper gained popularity in the early 2000s for his mixtapes which showcased his natural talent for storytelling. His intricate wordplay and lyrical ability earned him a loyal fanbase in the underground hip-hop scene. His dedication to preserving the genre's history and legacy has cemented him as a pillar in the community, making him a perfect fit for the role as Head of Hip Hop.

On January 24th, 2023, TuneCore, the leading digital distribution and music publishing service for independent artists, announced a new partnership with the legendary rapper, naming him Head of Hip-Hop for the company. In his new role, Papoose will report to Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, and will lead the company’s Artist Ambassador program for Hip-Hop, making him responsible for scouting rising talent, overseeing artist education and act as a brand advisor for TuneCore.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip-hop, Papoose and TuneCore linked up to commemorate the incredible milestone and celebrate the rap giants belated birthday and new role as Head of Hip Hop for the music platform. Held at the notorious 40/40 Club in NYC, the event pulled in hip hop juggernauts and various pioneers in the community, including Remy Ma, Fabolous, Jim Jones, Ja Rule, Melle Mel, Doug E. Fresh, Mona Scott Young, Consciousness, Rocky Bucano, Bishop Whitehead and many more. Throughout the night DJ Trase spun tracks from the 80's-90s, setting up the perfect tone for a night of nostalgia and celebration.

To kick off the event, Rocky Bucano from the Universal Museum of Hip Hop presented Papoose with the "Hip Hop Artist Executive Award," recognizing the artists contribution to the genre and the community. To open up the lineup of performances, Papoose introduced his TuneCore recruits, rappers Manson Thugication and K Goddess.

The up-and-coming rappers set the tone for the night with raw lyricism and flow that only native New Yorkers bare. As the night went on Papoose introduced icon after icon to the stage, including Melle Mel, Ja Rule, Fabolous, Jim Jones, Maino, Remy Ma and Doug E. Fresh. Each bringing energetic and captivating performances that instantly brought the crowd back to the golden era of Hip Hop.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we reflect on its impact on society and culture, and recognize the contributions of the pioneers and visionaries who have helped shape the progressive movement. We look forward to seeing what Papoose’s new role at TuneCore will do for the community and wish him a happy belated birthday.

Natalie Orozco