LOS ANGELES, CA — A star studded affair from the red carpet to the inside festivities where many came out from the board of directors at the City Of Hope, to several executives that include Loud Records founder Steve Rifkin, So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri, and many more all came out to celebrate the accomplishments of global head of Music at YouTube and Google Lyor Cohen.
Cohen who is currently the head of Global Music at YouTube and Google, discussed how he helped put the iconic Def Jam Records label on the map and made it forever be cemented in the history of not only hip hop but music in general.
“A lot of blood, sweat and tears… a lot of luck, and incredible music along with great artist,” Cohen told Nitecast Media.
Many came out to show support for Cohen that included Big Daddy Kane, MC Serch, Nice ‘N Smooth, EPMD, Redman, Onyx, Warren G, Domino, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill, Ja Rule, Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, T.I., Swizz Beatz, Ludacris, Wallo (Million Dollars Worth Of Game), Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Irv Gotti.
“It’s incredible to see so many members of the music community gathered in one place with the single purpose of fighting cancer for all,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. “The legacy of philanthropy and partnership with the music and entertainment industries has supported City of Hope in making great strides to expand access to top cancer care, and we are so grateful.”
After a successful paddle-raise, the party got started with evening’s host NORE (Drink Champs), who then introduced a one-time-only edition of “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live!,” featuring performances by over a dozen hip-hop and R&B icons spanning Cohen’s career that also include LL Cool J, Slick Rick, and Kurtis Blow to name a few.
Chuck D presented Cohen with City of Hope’s Spirit of Life Award, on the icon’s role in the rise of hip-hop. Cohen is a fitting honoree to recognize this year, as the hip-hop community also reaches its 50th anniversary landmark.
“Thank you, Chuck, and thank you to all my artists that without them there would be no me, or many of you for that matter,” Cohen said as a he graciously accepted the award. “We came here tonight to eradicate cancer, but wouldn’t it be incredible if we could also eradicate hate.”
He thanked many of his past and current colleagues in the industry such as Julie Greenwald, Craig Kallman, Kevin Liles and Ahmet Ertugon, his colleagues at YouTube, including Susan Wojcicki, Neal Mohan and Mary Ellen Coe, for the great music and the great artists. He thanked his family, and the City Of Hope for the honor.
*In its 50-year history, the group has raised over $150 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate care.
