Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, Rakim & Slick Rick To Join ‘Masters Of The Mic: Hip-Hop 50 Tour’

Universal Attractions Agency, RAMP Entertainment Agency and Mahogany Entertainment announced the “Masters of The Mic: Hip-Hop 50 Tour.” The upcoming dates feature Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, Rakim and Slick Rick with EPMD, Roxanne Shante, DJ Spinderella and more appearing as special guests.

The lineup varies with each city and kicks off on June 30 at Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. The tour officially launches on July 20 in Cincinnati, wrapping up on Oc.t 14 in San Antonio, Texas.

“When we celebrate that block party in ’73 with Kool Herc that started it all, we’re celebrating the true spirit of hip-hop; everyone coming together and having a party sharing the love of their music and community,” Doug E. Fresh said in a statement. “That’s the true heart of hip-hop culture right there.”

The tour features the “OG” masters of hip-hop all coming together to celebrate the anniversary.

“This is truly unprecedented,” Universal Attractions Agency co-owner, Jeff Epstein, said in a statement. “To have such an elite group of hip-hop icons from the golden era coming together to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop music this way… it’s truly mind-blowing.”

In March, Doug E. Fresh joined Scarface, Slick Rick and Epdmk in Hammond, Indiana for a “Legends Of Hip-Hop” performance that sold 2,258 tickets grossing $224,777, according to reports submitted to Pollstar’s Boxoffice. Over the last few months, many of the artists who helped start the genre, including Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, Rakim, Roxanne Shante and Slick Rick, have been touring together consistently.

“While the culture may have started in The Bronx, it resonates with everyone across the globe, and a heap of credit goes to Doug, Kane, KRS and Rakim, who were the pioneers that brought it from the block to the billboards,” UAA’s Nick Szatmari said in a statement. “You don’t have any of the iconic rappers of today without them standing on the foundation laid by the ‘Masters of the Mic’ during the ’80s and ’90s. Name any of the biggest styles to emerge or the most iconic superstars of today, and you must acknowledge the global influence of Doug and Rick, Kane, KRS, Rakim and the rest of the golden era icons that paved the way for hip-hop to become what it is today.”

In February, Doug E. Fresh and Big Daddy Kane sat down with Pollstar for a special issue celebrating the genres 50 years. The two also joined DJ Quik, Darryll Brooks, Lionel Bea and Norby Walters for a panel at Pollstar Live! to discuss all the genre has done in its half century of existence.

“Masters of the Mic: Hip-Hop 50 Tour” dates
6/30 — Essence Music Festival — New Orleans, LA (Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One, Slick Rick)
7/20 — The Andrew J Brady Music Center — Cincinnati, OH (Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Rakim, Slick Rick)
7/22 — The Blue Cross Arena — Rochester, NY (Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One, Rakim, Slick Rick)
8/17 — Wolf Trap — Vienna, VA (Big Daddy Kane, DJ Spinderella, Doug E. Fresh, Rakim, Roxanne Shante, Slick Rick)
8/18 — Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion — Portsmouth, VA (Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One, Rakim, Slick Rick)
8/19 — Live Oak Bank Pavilion — Wilmington, NC (Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, Rakim, Slick Rick)
9/22 — Frawley Stadium — Wilmington, DE (2 Chainz, Fat Joe, Rick Ross and Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, Slick Rick)
10/14 — The Espee — San Antonio, TX (Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, Slick Rick, Rakim)