Kadeem Lundy

Photo Credit: Hard Rock NYC/Jouvir

On Thursday (September 7th), rapper/actor Jeffrey “Ja Rule” Atkins was the latest musician to be inducted into the Hard Rock Hotel’s memorabilia collection. Hard Rock Hotel’s Times Square location in partnership with Chase Republic hosted ceremony commemorating the induction as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. Special guest in attendance included Ja Rule, Chase Republic founder Harold Wilkerson, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion of LVMH, N.A Corey Smith, Hard Rock Vice President of Entertainment & Nightlife, Joseph ‘Mongo’ Mongeluzzi, Vice President of Memorabilia and Design Giovanni Taliaferro. Media Personality Angela Yee, Rapper Bang of Junior M.A.F.I.A, Rapper Chi Ali, Bronx Councilman Kevin Riley, Hip-Hop Activist Mysonne Linen, Media Personality Rocsi Diaz, Actress Tationna Bosier and a host of other industry tastemakers were also in attendance.

Ja Rule gifted a custom Off-White suit by the late Virgil Abloh worn during the BET Award ’23 Awards Hip-Hop tribute performance to the Hard Rock Hotel. “”Hip-Hop is not just about the music, it’s an art form, there’s elements to Hip-Hop. It’s about the way we walk, the way, we talk, the fashion and I’m glad we had this 50 year anniversary honoring the impact so we can celebrate all of the elements!”, Ja Rule said during the ceremony.

Corey Smith spoke specifically about working with Abloh who designed Ja Rule’s suit that was on display, “”Virgil was arguably was one of the most impactful designers of this era, I had the opportunity to work with him before his untimely passing, his attention to detail and the way he incorporated music into fashion through design was a testament to how genius, he changed the culture!”

Photo Credit: Hard Rock NYC/Jouvir

During the star-studded ceremony, Chase Republic founder Harold Wilkerson surprised Ja Rule with the Inaugural Essential Hustler of Hip-Hop Award. Wilkerson spoke about his long connection with Ja Rule from the first time they met on a movie set in Canada. Wilkerson also noted that his own daughter served as inspiration for Chase Republic.

Photo Credit: Hard Rock NYC/Jouvir

Just a few miles away from where the annual West Indian Labor Day parade will be held in Brooklyn, the Kings Theatre in Flatbush held the first ever Caribbean Music Awards last night (August 31st). Wyclef Jean served as host for the show which included a number of nominees and performers from various genres of Caribbean music.

The show opened with a performance by Karnival Bounce Crew and featured performances from various artist such Ding Dong who performed his known songs including Genna Bounce, Fling, and Happiness,and Wyclef Jean himself who performed an acoustic version of his Mary J Blige hit 911. Ding Dong also won Dance Song of the Year for his 2022 song, Bounce.

Throughout the night seven special honors were presented. Machel Montano received the Lifetime Achievement Award, David Rudder received the Elite Calypso Music Award, late music artist Mikaben received the Kompa Music Award, Majah Hype was honored with the Elite Entertainer Award, Chrissy received the Social Media Personality Award, Buju Banton Foundation received an award and Beres Hammond received the Elite Icon Award. Hammond also received a special honor from the NYC Council celebrating his work in the Caribbean community.

Besides the special honors award recipients various artist won in competitive categories. Kes won the People’s Choice Fan Favorite Award, Spice won Dancehall Female Artist of the Year award, Next to Me by Popcaan and Toni-Ann Singh won Video of the Year Reggae/Dancehall and Vybz Kartel won Artist of the Decade. Kartel wasn’t in attendance however Spice accepted the award on his behalf. Prior to the show The Knockturnal spoke to Kes who said about Soca , “It’s the soundtrack of our lives and it really and truly promotes togetherness. I think in a divided world Soca music is key.”

Grammy Award winner Mya and Doug. E, Fresh and choreographer Tanisha Scott also made appearances as presenters. “First of all to do anything that is inspired by Caribbean music you have to do it straight from the blood. It is something that is authentic to us the way we hear the music the way we move is something that you can’t just teach you just have to do. So my advice to any up and coming choreographer if you want to do anything within the realms of dancehall or Soca is you have to be true and authentic to what it is because the movement does not lie and that’s what makes us so special”, Scott told The Knockturnal.

The ceremony wrapped up with a trio of performances by Wayne Wonder, Cham, and Dexta Daps. Daps went on to receive his first-ever award in Dancehall Performer of the Year category.

Photo Credit: Caribbean Music Awards