Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday hosted a celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary with appearances by some of the music genre's pioneers and stars.
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris is seen on a video monitor as she speaks at a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris with her husband Doug Emhoff dances to live hip-hop music during a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip Hop Vice President Kamala Harris with her husband Doug Emhoff attend a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Comedian Deon Cole speaks during a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, speaks during a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris is introduced by Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, during the 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the vice president's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip Hop Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, is introduced by comedian Deon Cole, right, at a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip Hop Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip Hop Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip Hop Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris with her husband Doug Emhoff attend a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff dance to live hip-hop music during a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris with her husband Doug Emhoff, are seated during a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip Hop Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., center, attends a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Harris Hip-Hop Vice President Kamala Harris with her husband Doug Emhoff attend a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's residence, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday hosted a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with appearances by some of the music genre’s pioneers and stars.
Common, Jeezy, MC Lyte and Roxanne Shante were among the hip-hop artists invited to join Harris for the party at the vice presidential residence.
Hip-hop’s 50th birthday has inspired a host of anniversary events this year. Many trace the genre’s creation to an Aug. 11, 1973, back-to-school party where 18-year-old Clive Campbell, also known as DJ Kool Herc, deejayed at a Bronx apartment building in New York City.
Harris said hip-hop is “the ultimate American art form” that “shapes every aspect of America’s popular culture.”
“Hip-hop culture is American culture,” she told the crowd.
Harris noted that Public Enemy rapper Chuck D has described rap as “Black America’s CNN.”
“It has always channeled the voices of the people. It tells the stories that don’t make the news,” she said before joining her husband, Doug Emhoff, to watch musicians’ performances.
Saturday’s celebration was a collaboration with Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Live Nation Urban.
