By James Cunningham II
NEW YORK, NY– The Co-Founder of Public Enemy and one of music’s most influential voices connects culture to the game through content and music, on MLB Platforms starting this Friday as special correspondent for Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium. Hip Hop’s official birthday is August 11, 1973, as the milestone will continue to be celebrated and recognized by Major League Baseball (MLB).
As the milestone anniversary of Hip Hop is celebrated this week, MLB teams with music legend Chuck D for special content and programming to celebrate the connection and impact of music, culture and baseball. During Friday’s highly anticipated Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium concert, the co-founder of pioneering musical group Public Enemy, will serve as MLB’s special correspondent, capturing the electric atmosphere in exclusive content for MLB’s platforms, including @MLB, @MLBLife social handles, MLB.com and MLB Network.
Additionally, the acclaimed lyricist, producer and author will collaborate with MLB on content, music and stories throughout the 50th anniversary year. Programming includes MLB’s social, MLB Network and in-stadium videos focused on the relationship between baseball and Hip Hop culture, and how its evolved through the years.
“As a longtime baseball fanatic, I am beyond honored to be the first Hip Hop artist to work with Major League Baseball in this exciting new way [to] connecting sound and culture to the stories of the game,” Chuck D said. “Thank you to MLB for adding me to the lineup…and the pitch is on the way.”
In 2013, Public Enemy that also included Flavor Flav was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2020. Public Enemy received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent GRAMMYs. In April 2023, Chuck D released his ode to the great American pastime with We Wreck Stadiums, a collection of songs that pays homage and salute to some baseball’s greats and the undeniable impact they’ve had on the game and the world. Most recently, he is developer and executive producer of a four-part PBS series “Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World,” Chuck D curated a powerful collection of voices on the evolution of the musical genre and its historical significance in this country and globally.
MLB’s Continued Partnership with Mass Appeal’s Hip Hop 50 Runs Through 2024.
