2015 Hot97 Summer Jam Review : Fabolous and friends was the highlight of the night

Thousands emerged at the MetLife Stadium stage in East Rutherford, NJ for one of the biggest hip-hop events of the year: Hot97 Summer Jam.

Hot97 Summer Jam Review

Unheard Voices was invited to review the show, which is the New York City radio station’s annual festival bringing out some of the hottest artists in the music scene to bless the stage.

If you couldn’t make out to the star-studded event, Hot97 Summer Jam teamed up with Tidal to bring viewers a virtual live experience.

B.O.B./Greenlight Photos

The event has been happening since 1994 and showcases the biggest acts around. Before the main event starts, Summer Jam hosts the Festival Stage, a pre-show that allows up and coming artists a chance to claim their fame. There were some familiar names and faces that blessed the stage. The Festival Stage lineup included the Charles Hamilton, Grand Hustle’s B.o.B, newcomer Dej Loaf, Teyana Taylor, as well as Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era collective, Fetty Wap, and Travi$ Scott. I would say the highlight and most anticipated moment of the Festival stage was Paterson New Jersey native, Fetty Wap taking the stage alongside The Remy Boyz.

Photo Credit : Pete Monsanto

Hot 97 kept it pretty balanced this year with the acts as R&B singer Omarion kicked off the Stadium Stage, followed by Ty Dolla $ign, and Trey Songz. Chris Brown gave audience members a repeat of last year. With his performance, he let audience members know despite what the tabloids are saying, he’s still a bad boy when it comes to R&B and owning the stage. Brown surprised the audience when he brought out 50 Cent & G-Unit (who re-united on the stage last Summer Jam), & French Montana who dedicated his set in memory of fellow Coke Boyz member, Chinx.

Photo Credit: Pete Monsanto

The most memorable highlight of the night in my opinion was Fabolous’ set.  As a avid lover of music who grew up on 90s hip-hop, I was pleasantly pleased and in awe the whole performance. Fabolous had performed some of his hits but turned it up about 10 notches when he brought out acts like Black Rob, Mobb Deep, Red Man & Method Man, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, Lil Kim, Fat Joe, and a very nice surprise : Ma$e. It brought back good memories of authentic hip-hop. Not saying artists today aren’t good, but what I grew up really shaped and cultivated what hip-hop is today.

Later on, Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar blessed the stage. And I was thoroughly impressed by Kendrick Lamar’s set. The California rapper kept it simple but yet soothed us with authentic hip-hop. Being a fan of his, it was nice rocking out to his music live.

Headlining this year was Philadelphia rapper, Meek Mill. One of hip-hop’s biggest stars performed a pheltora of hits while also bringing out Future and Nick Minaj.

Despite the melee that happened outside, fortunately for me I was able to get in before it happened, Hot 97 put together another great event in their 21st year.

This year’s HOT 97’s Summer Jam was made HOT by Pepsi, CÎROC, McDonald’s, Nutrament, MetroPlus Health Plan, HER Imports, NJ Lottery Cash 4 Life, M360 Network, & Myx Moscato