HOT 97 set out to save the world from wack concerts this year, and any of the 50,000 fans at Summer Jam 2009 would agree, the mission was accomplished. Angie Martinez and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan hosted the sold out comic book themed show, which would be the last before Giants Stadium’s demolition. With the premiere of Jay-Z’s "Death of Autotune" live with Mister Cee and Funkmaster Flex, fans knew an appearance from Hov was likely. Out of the darkness and smoke, the greatest of all time Jay-Z emerged dressed in all black. Brooklyn’s ambassador needed no introduction as the crowd’s deafening roar embraced him. Jay’s DOA had been released only two days before Summer Jam, yet the audience mouthed every word. Day 26 opened the show followed by former Pretty Ricky singer Pleasure P. Serani, Mavado and Elephant Man all On Da Reggae Tip veterans, represented for dancehall at Summer Jam this year. Mary J. Blige, the official queen of Hip Hop Soul looked stunning as she performed her greatest hits. Fellow New Yorker Method Man joined the queen on stage, for Hip Hop classic “All I Need”, and brought out Redman for "Da Rockwilder" and their new single "Ayo". Swizz Beatz joined Jadakiss on stage for Who’s Real and Busta Rhymes commanded the stage with Respect My Conglomerate. For the ladies in the crowd, Kiss brought to the stage newcomer Jeremih to perform his ode to Birthday Sex. Every female in the audience went crazy when teen actor turned rapper Drake made an appearance durring Young Jeezy's set performing the number one song, on HOT 97’s playlist Best Ever I Had. The Dream performed major singles "Rockin’ That Thang" and "Walking on the Moon" with a Michael Jackson twist, bringing out label mate Fabolous. Lil Kim joined T-Pain who sported his infamous 10 lb diamond encrusted chain for their newest hit "Download". Jim Jones and Juelz Santana truly know how to close a show, bringing out all of Harlem world and on stage. It was truly a celebration and even Soulja Boy, Kid Cudi, Ron Browz and Ryan Leslie joined the set. Jim Jones tossed hundred dollar bills to the audience while Juelz popped a couple bottles of champagne. Summer Jam 2009 might have signified the death of autotune but it most definitely solidified HOT 97’s place in Hip Hop history.
Check out photos and videos from Summer Jam 2009 here!
From the crazy and unexpected moments to the outrageous performances, It’s obvious that HOT 97’s Summer Jam holds the trophy for being one of the greatest Hip Hop and R&B concerts of all time. From the crazy and unexpected moments to the outrageous performances Summer Jam will always remain in the Hip Hop Hall of Fame. Last year, Alicia Keys, Ray J, Yung Berg, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, D-Block and Public Enemy all touched down on the Summer Jam stage. Surprise guests included Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, N.O.R.E., LL Cool J, Fat Joe, Akon, Rick Ross, Jim Jones and plenty more.
Check out photos and videos from Summer Jam 2008 here!
Summer Jam 2007
You never know who is going to touch down on the Summer Jam stage at any given moment. Who could forget last year’s Kanye West/Swizz Beatz producer battle or Lil Kim’s and The LOX surprise appearances? R&B superstar Ne-Yo and Fabolous graced the stage performing the summer’s hottest track “You Make Me Better”. DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Lil’ Wayne, Akon, Baby, T.I. and Rick Ross definitely “took over the stage” last year with their smash single! Scheduled appearances included Ludacris, Akon, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Birdman, Diddy, Keyshia Cole, Elephant Man, Ne-Yo, Ciara Young Jeezy, Mims, Swizz Beatz, T- Pain and RichBoy! This year's event is sure to be legendary!
Check out photos and videos from Summer Jam 2007 here!
Summer Jam 2006
HOT 97 Summer Jam always brings out the hottest artists in music and this year will be no different! You never know who is going to hit the stage at any given moment. This year’s line-up included Sean Paul, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Three Six Mafia, Remy Ma and more came through and tore it down. Remember when Busta Rhymes was on his New York S#*t, bringing out Rakim, Q-Tip, Slick Rick and others? HOT 97 Summer Jam 2007 is sure to be another classic. Past surprise guests included Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan, Damian Marley and more!
Check out photos and videos from Summer Jam 2006 here!
Summer Jam 2005
Artists: Snoop Dogg, The Game, Kanye West, Ludacris and DTP, Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz, Lil Scrappy & Trillville, Pitbull, Ciara, Cam’Ron & the Diplomats, Jadakiss & D-Block!
Check out photos and videos from Summer Jam 2005 here!
Summer Jam 2004
Summer Jam ‘04 was off the chain! Talk about All Star lineups! This year’s Summer Jam featured what was arguably one of the biggest Hip Hop lineups ever. Headlined by 50 Cent and the G Unit, the lineup also included R Kelly, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Kanye West, OutKast’s Big Boi, Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins, Jadakiss and Chingy. Summer Jam ’04 also marked the debut of the Summer Jam Festival stage which hosted Hip Hop stars like Mobb Deep, Pitbull, Nina Sky, Erik Sermon, TOK, countless up and coming artists and the finals of the Roc the Mic MC Battle.
Summer Jam 2003
In 2003, HOT 97 brought Summer Jam to Giants Stadium for the 10 year anniversary, solidifying its place in history as the world’s largest Hip Hop event. Ask anyone who was there and they’ll tell you about the torrential downpour -- but with 50 Cent, Eminem, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Lil Kim, Sean Paul and The Clipse rockin ’the stage, noone seemed to care!
Check out photos from Summer Jam X (2003) event here!
Summer Jam 2002
Artists: Nas, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, N.O.R.E, Alicia Keys, Mobb Deep!
Check out photos from Summer Jam 2002 event here!
Summer Jam 2001
Artists: Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella Family, R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Destiny’s Child, Outkast, Ja Rule, Eve, Ludacris
Check out photos from Summer Jam 2001 event here!
Summer Jam 2000
Artists: Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Sisqo, Aaliyah, Timberland, Ruff Riders: Eve, Drag-on, The Lox, Swizz Beatz; Cash Money Milionaires: Juvenile, BG, Lil’ Wayne; Black Rob, and Sean Paul
Check out photos from Summer Jam 2000 event here!
Summer Jam 1999
Artists: 702, Ja Rule, Ruff Ryders, Method Man, Red Man, Nas, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Jay- Z
Check out photos from Summer Jam 1999 event here!
Summer Jam 1998
Artists: Busta Rhymes, The Lox, Queen Pen, Next, Big Pun, DMX, Cam’Ron and Mase!
Check out photos from Summer Jam 1998 event here!
Summer Jam 1997
Artists: 112, Bad Boy Family: Puff Daddy, Mase, Lil’ Kim, The Lox, Faith Evans; Heavy D, Blackstreet, Mary J Blige and Wu-Tang Clan!
Check out photos from Summer Jam 1997 event here!
Summer Jam 1996
Artists: The Fugees, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Total, Busta Rhymes, Monica and The Lost Boys!
Check out photos from Summer Jam 1996 event here!
Summer Jam 1995
Artists: Notorious BIG, Naughty By Nature, Method Man, Blackstreet, Shabba Ranks, Soul 4 Real and Brandy!
Check out photos from Summer Jam 1995 event here!
Summer Jam 1994
Artists: Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, Arrested Development, GangStarr, Black Moon, King Just, A Tribe Called Quest, Domino, Nas, Sudden Change and SWV!