Overview
- The third annual Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards were held October 18 at the Bellagio’s Tower Ballroom in Las Vegas.
- Kool G Rap and Grand Puba received the Grandmaster honors, George Clinton accepted the inaugural Quincy Jones Award, and Kool Rock Ski and Jalil Hutchins earned the new Contributor Award.
- Surprise moments included Dr. Dre praising Clinton’s influence, George Clinton rapping Eric B. & Rakim’s “Follow the Leader,” and Rakim emerging to deliver the final verse.
- Nas performed as Roxanne Shanté hosted, with a guest list that included Babyface, Scarface, Rakim, Ludacris, Fab 5 Freddy, and Kool Moe Dee.
- Organizers said all net proceeds support the Paid in Full Foundation’s grantmaking for pioneers, a Las Vegas–based nonprofit founded in 2022 by Ben and Felicia Horowitz.