Music – 2 days ago

Swizz Beatz speaks onstage during Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective at Hollywood Palladium on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California (photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images).

Swizz Beatz brought the best of hip-hop artists on the new EP, Hip Hop 50: Vol 2. In collaboration with Mass Appeal, the Beatz-produced project is the second installment of the Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack series, but its inaugural EP was produced entirely by DJ Premier. With five tracks, Vol 1 included guest appearances from Mass Appeal founder Nas, Slick Rick, Joey BADA$$, Remy Ma, Rapsody, and Run The Jewels.

While Vol. 2 is a dedication to New York rap, it also features prominent rappers from various regions, including Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, Jay Electronica, and Badmanrill. Beatz and Electronica last collaborated on “The Blinding” alongside Travis Scott, from the New Orleans emcee’s 2020 LP, A Written Testimony. Released on Monday (April 17), the single “This Sh*t Right Here” originally named JAY-Z as a guest appearance, although it appears that the rapper has been taken off the credits but the sample still remains on the track.

Representing the East Coast on Vol. 2 is Nas, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Jadakiss, and Benny the Butcher. A portion of the proceeds from Vol. 2 will be donated to the Universal Hip Hop Museum, located in the Bronx.

Earlier this month, Mass Appeal and Live Nation Urban announced that their #HipHop50 campaign will also include live DJ sessions to music festivals.

“We are thrilled to partner with the world’s leading live entertainment company to bring fans one-of-a-kind experiences in celebration of hip hop’s 50th birthday,” said Mass Appeal CEO Peter Bittenbender, in a statement this week. “We are planning to celebrate all facets of the culture and globe via this dynamic partnership.”

Stream Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 below.