Welcome to Summer Jam
The Hot 97 Summer Jam has become a staple of hip-hop. The annual summer festival has always served as a barometer for the state of rap and R&B music.
Who can forget when Jay Z surprised thousands by bringing Michael Jackson out on stage in 2001? It was a watershed moment that proved Jay Z’s influence and shed light on Michael Jackson’s love for hip-hop culture. One year earlier, Aaliyah gave one of her final performances on the Summer Jam stage a few weeks before to her untimely passing. Nas brought out Lauryn Hill in 2012 during a time when Hill rarely made public appearances. The Game denounced G-Unit and threw his chain in the crowd during another shocking moment in 2005. And Jay Z dissed Nas at his 2001 show which led to New York rap’s most noteworthy rivalry.
Summer Jam is billed as a show where surprises are expected because anything could happen.
“Honestly, what excites me most is the fact that we get some of the biggest artists in hip-hop and R&B out in front of fans,” Hot 97’s Ebro says. “It’s one big party so my joy is just seeing people have a good time. That’s what I get excited about, just seeing the people celebrate out there.”
The 2015 Summer Jam definitely lived up to the anticipation and hype.
