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Nas’ Paid In Full Foundation and the Grandmaster Awards: Honoring Hip-Hop’s Legacy
This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a genre that has not only shaped the cultural landscape but has also given rise to subgenres and created billionaires. However, as celebrations and reflections unfold, it becomes evident that the financial success seen by the second and third generations of hip-hop artists has yet to trickle down to the pioneers and architects of the genre.
Rapper Nasir “Nas” Jones, a key figure in the commemorative efforts, has taken a proactive stance by launching the Paid In Full Foundation. This foundation aims to address the financial disparities experienced by hip-hop’s forefathers and mothers, recognizing their monumental contributions to arts and culture. Nas, alongside collaborators Steve Stoute, Ben Horowitz, and Felicia Horowitz, announced the first annual Grandmaster Awards, a groundbreaking initiative to honor those who have led the culture but have not received their due financial rewards.
In a statement on the foundation’s website, Nas and his partners intend to rectify the lack of recognition for impactful original artists. The foundation plans to achieve this through its grantmaking program, providing substantial financial support and resources to these creators, enabling them to pursue their creative and intellectual pursuits for the benefit of society.
The Grandmaster Awards, set to take place in Las Vegas on November 17th, will be a momentous occasion. The first recipients of this prestigious award are “the God MC” Rakim and Houston’s Scarface, iconic artists who defined movements during their era. The prize’s significance is not just in its acknowledgment but also in the tangible support that comes with it. Both Rakim and Scarface will receive grants from the Paid In Full Foundation.
In an interview on the Rap Radar podcast, Steve Stoute emphasized the foundation’s mission to honor those who laid the foundation for hip-hop. He detailed how the fund, Paid In Full, aims to give significant financial assistance and healthcare to individuals who contributed to hip-hop but still need recognition.
This initiative holds particular weight as it comes at a time when the hip-hop community has faced significant losses, with influential figures like Prodigy, Phife Dawg, and Biz Markie passing away due to health-related issues. The Paid In Full Foundation seeks to address this issue, offering a solution and paying homage to those who have shaped the hip-hop landscape.
As the first annual Grandmaster Awards approach, the hip-hop community anticipates not just a celebration of its rich history but also a crucial step toward securing a more equitable future for its pioneers. Nas’ Paid In Full Foundation, with its focus on financial support and recognition, stands as a testament to the commitment to ensuring that the architects of hip-hop receive the acknowledgment and resources they rightfully deserve.
