Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane and a host of others help the Gods and Earths celebrate the Nation’s 50th Anniversary at the World Famous Apollo Theater
125th Street was jam packed Saturday night when the 5% Nation, also known as the Nation of Gods and Earths, turned Harlem into the “City of the Gods” with the Nation’s 50th Anniversary celebration, in which the God & Hip Hop concert at the Apollo Theater was the focal point.
Men, women, and children of all ages were packed in the Apollo dressed in their crowns and 3/4(a cultural standard of women of the 5%) to see their favorite artists who have helped spread the teachings of the Gods and Earths through their music put on a legendary benefit performance. The event began with the up and coming 5% artists that are well known within their culture, including King Kasim Allah, Black Page of Dallas, TX, Narubi Selah, as well as an R&B singer by the name of Logan.
Everyone patiently waited for the main acts to come out and represent for the Gods. The entire Brand Nubian crew from Now Rule came out and rocked it, dropping classics like “Punks Jump Up”, “Love Me Or Leave Me Alone”, and Puba’s solo classic with Mary J. Blige, “What’s The 411?”.
Next, one of Hip Hop’s founding females, Roxanne Shante, hit the stage in her 3/4 and dropped some of Hip Hop’s most memorable femcee classics. One of the most exciting appearances and performances was none other than the Queen herself Erykah Badu. She kicked the epic jam “Love Of My Life” over a stripped down, lunchtable-esque bass and snare, captivating the almost silent crowd with her tall top hat atop of her gelee.
Big Daddy Kane came out and dropped some Knowledge on the crowd before doing some of his timeless hits including “Ain’t No Half Steppin'”, “Raw”, and even was still able to give the crowd the unforgettable “Scoob & Scrap” routine with BK’s own Scoob Lover aka Johnny Famous. To everyone’s surpise, Kane brought out the Dragon himself, who along with Spliff Star, got the crowd to their apex.
Papoose and Remy Ma popped up with DJ Kay Slay, who both performed their respective smash singles, but they hit the stage as a couple. Other stellar performances include Smif N’Wessun, Capone N Noreaga, as well as special guest appearances from Keith Murray, the World Famous Supreme Team, the Force MDs, Tragedy Khadafi, the Original Spindarella, Young Dirty Bastard and many others. Black Justice, the brother of Carmelo Anthony, stepped to the stage on behalf of his physical to let the Nation know that his brother couldn’t appear to the even in person, however, he was there in the mind.
The promoters of the event, the Builders Build Group, were presented awards by the New York State Sen. Bill Perkins along with Brown Mood Consulting and Ellis Enterprises for their contribution in putting together the event.
=Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)
