Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff reunite for a special salute to 50 years of Hip Hop with the Grammys on Sunday (Dec. 10). The two hour “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop” special debuted on CBS and Paramount+, and fans are still shocked at their stellar performance. Let’s not forget, Will has the hits! Checkout a list of Will Smith’s hits inside.
Grammy’s celebrated hip hop trailblazers and icons on Sunday during their special as the 50 Years of Hip Hop celebrations come to a close. The special marks the academy’s second time paying tribute to the genre, the first being a star-studded lineup that took place in February during the Grammy Awards ceremony.
Throughout the two-hour special, rappers and DJs from all walks of life come together to celebrate the music that started in the Bronx in the 1970s and spread across the world, charting its impact through a strong lineup of rappers, beatboxers, dancers, DJs and presenters.
The special, filmed at Inglewood’s YouTube Theater on Nov, 8, featured several performers spanning the entire 50 years of Hip Hop from across the globe. Artists who joined the celebration included Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Queen Latifah, Common, Public Enemy, Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, YG, Too Short, E-40, De La Soul, Akon, Black Thought, Nelly, Gunna and Chance the Rapper.
The one notable moment fans can’t stop talking about is when Will Smith reunited with longtime friend and collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff for a medley of both solo and collaborative hits. Questlove, best known as the drummer for the Roots, gives a beautiful introduction to the rap duo, who were the first hip-hop act to receive a Grammy award for hip-hop in 1989 with “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”
Jazzy Jeff was situated behind his turntables on an elevated platform as Smith kicked it off with “Brand New Funk,” a record from their 1988 sophomore album, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper.
They cycle through Will’s discography from “Getting’ Jiggy With It” and “Miami” to his beloved theme song from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Of course they kept it classic, concluding with a performance of their highest-charting single, “Summertime,” which earned them their second Grammy in 1992 for best rap performance by a duo or group.
Will Smith celebrated the momentous occasion by sharing a few moments from the show and throwback clips to show what brought him to this moment.
Check it out below:
Smashed it again, @llcoolj …this was REALLY special, man. Thank you! Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop airs tonight!!
– Will Smith pic.twitter.com/5H9cutMmhB
— Will Smith (@WillSmith2real) December 10, 2023
I ain’t know NUFFIN! Hahaha. Tryna sound all confident. I was Terrified. Happy Bday, Hip Hop. @1Filmnu
– Will Smith pic.twitter.com/7TrD0R7DHH
— Will Smith (@WillSmith2real) December 11, 2023
Fans also had a lot to say but these sentiments were our favorites:
Will Smith will always be loved no matter what. Love him or hate him—HE IS HIM. Being the first rap group to win a Grammy is an amazing accolade. He and Jazzy Jeff are cemented in Hip Hop history forever. #GRAMMYSaluteHipHop50 pic.twitter.com/5MG9qZOvSw
— bre (@justthatbre) December 11, 2023
Watching DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince on #50yearsofHipHop and if Will Smith needs to rehabilitate his rep, he and Jazz should go on tour. This is great. pic.twitter.com/8jFo3Z7WcC
— Rob (@leaningcowboy) December 11, 2023
It’s crazy that some people don’t know Will Smith was a rapper first. Put some respect on him DJ Jazzy Jeff’s name. #GRAMMYSalutesHipHop50 pic.twitter.com/U0lcbadweS
— Mrs. Smith (@MsKevin504) December 11, 2023
This is the happiest I’ve seen Will Smith in the last 10 years.
It’s like he came home.#WillSmith #GRAMMYSaluteHipHop50 pic.twitter.com/0CBBHAXdZn
— Merry ChristmaHanuKwanzakuh (@trcterp) December 11, 2023
Nah I’m so happy Will Smith & Queen Latifah went back to their hiphop roots. It was only RIGHTGive folks their flowers #GRAMMYSaluteHipHop50 pic.twitter.com/P9m8A9kvDB
— Lex (@heyylexilex) December 11, 2023
Will Smith said let’s be clear…
I got hits…lol #GRAMMYSaluteHipHop50 pic.twitter.com/Y2p1vcK28y
— Shaquille Sunflower (@HelloAryk) December 11, 2023
Check out a list of Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff hits below to celebrate their contributions to the genre:
The post Let’s Not Forget Will Smith Has Hits: Fans Salute Will Smith After A Grammy Salute To 50 Years of Hip Hop Special appeared first on Black America Web.