Where was P Diddy? That was the question on everybody’s lips at the Hot 97 Summer Jam last night.
Nearly every New York rapper ever affiliated with Diddy in the past two decades was on stage for a surprise performance Sunday night featuring Lil Kim, Black Rob and Raekwon. It was a throwback to the unexpected all-star groupings that helped the Summer Jam make its name in the mid-90s.
The cavalcade of New York rappers – which also included Remy Ma, Mobb Deep and Ma$e – was brought together by Fabolous, who only performed two songs during his slot, halfway through the annual hip-hop festival at MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“Cash rules everything around me,” called out Method Man and Redman, repeating Wu-Tang’s famous phrase as they stood on stage alongside Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes and The Lox’s members Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch. The male contingent of this East Coast throwback had no choice but to clear out for Lil Kim, who served up a wicked version of her verse from Junior Mafia’s Get Money.
Though Jay Z’s Tidal was streaming the show online, Hova never made an appearance. Instead, Fabolous’s monster set was preceded by somewhat of a slow build by the Hot 97 overlords.
The evening began with a paltry 15-minute set by Omarion – who, let’s be real, should consider reassembling the B2K boys (speaking of P Diddy yet again) – then Ty Dolla Sign, whose most notable moments came when he brought Dej Loaf (fresh off her Summer Jam side stage debut) and Wiz Khalifa on stage. Trey Songz boosted the crowd when he took off his shirt and threw it before getting back to a creepy, choreographed sequence with his backup dancers, who ground upon him in single file.
Speaking of creepy, Chris Brown was up next, surrounding by a flock of backup dancers, and he was cheered by the crowd when he thanked his fans for carrying him through his 10-yearlong careerof “trials and tribulations”. Brown’s set was mostly notable for bringing 50 Cent and his erstwhile rival French Montana, who had engaged in a series of minor spats this year. Brown rounded out his set with Loyal, referring to some hos that ain’t loyal.
By the time festival headliner Kendrick Lamar came out to represent the west coast, a melee had broken out at the gates of the venue. New Jersey police donned riot gear in response to hundreds of fans who attempted to force their way past security, and tossed glass bottles when they failed. Police said in a statement that they used teargas to disperse the crowd and that they made some arrests.
Outside the arena, the ground was littered with broken glass and three armored vehicles posted up along the perimeter of the stadium. Emmis New York, which owns Hot 97, said it would offer refunds to ticket-holders who were turned away after the gates were closed in response to the attempted breach.
Sets by Hot 97 DJs interspersed the night’s performances, and almost killed the vibe with uninspired repeat plays of an otherwise amazing Rihanna song, Bitch Better Have My Money. But props to DJ Camilo for throwing us back to Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It.
While the Fabulous-orchestrated lineup created the once in a lifetime spectacle that Summer Jam is known for (eg Jay-Z bringing out Michael Jackson in 2013, Wu-Tang Clan dissing their hosts Hot 97 in 1997 and the inaugural killer combo in June 1994 of Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest and Queen Latifah), the significance could easily have been lost on the large contingent of the audience that favors online streaming to FM radio.
Fabulous is the new Henry Kissinger #SummerJam
— FunkyColdMedina (@MannyIsOld) June 8, 2015
But then the youth were reassured, as Lamar, Big Sean and Meek Mill took the stage consecutively. Mill had one of the strongest sets of the night, with surprise appearances by Future – who performed his hit Fuck Up Some Commas – and Meek Mill’s girlfriend (and rumoured fiancée), Nicki Minaj, who dominated the stage and one-upped every other performer that night with her effortless delivery of her songs Only and Truffle Butter.
Nicki Minaj performing "Only" at Summer Jam 2015. https://t.co/X2qhMgn4X8
— TNISY - janderson (@KenzOfMinaj) June 8, 2015
“Love you boo,” she said before heading off stage to let Meek end the fest. “Love you too, baby,” he responded, garnering the most piercing screams of the night – even more than when Trey Songz took off his shirt. Love indeed conquered all.
Though Lamar was the headliner, his 25 minute set – which was at times inaudible – came before Meek Mill and Big Sean’s. It’s unclear if that unusual order was related to the riot happening outdoors.
Lamar was radiant and smiled throughout his entire set, which kicked off with a stripped and slowed down version of The Blacker The Berry. He then brought on fellow Black Hippy member Schoolboy Q for Collard Greens and the slick singer SZA, for Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe. He managed to get the crowd on its feet for mAAd City, Alright and King Kunta – an impressive feat considering he had to follow Fabolous’s deep roster of beloved east coast rappers.
Six hours and dozens of performers later, Fabolous’s throwback remained the highlight of the evening. Kendrick and Meek’s sets were both good, great even. But in true Summer Jam style, the morning after was filled with memories of Fabolous’s guest-filled set. The effort it took to get such heavyweights on stage all together, was destined to be the 2015 festival’s takeaway – it was a fleeting moment of hip-hop greatness, a mere taste of the halcyon days that left us wanting a full meal. Dolla dolla bills y’all.
