The Grandmaster Awards - Nas, Rakim, George Clinton, Dr Dre, Scarface, QD3 etc..

[The Predator]

Paid in Full Foundation Tears the Roof Off Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards





The Paid in Full Foundation held the third Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards on Saturday in Las Vegas, where Dr. Dre, Nas, Quincy Jones III, UnitedMasters CEO Steve Stoute, the Geto Boys' Scarface and dozens of other famous faces gathered to honor the 2025 Hip Hop Grandmasters Grand Puba of Brand Nubian and Kool G Rap.

Parliament-Funkadelic's George Clinton was the recipient of the inaugural Quincy Jones Award, while Whodini's Jalil and the Fat Boys' Kool Rock Ski were also honored with a contributor award.

Hosted by Roxanne Shanté, the ceremony celebrated the pioneers and architects of hip-hop, who typically didn't reap the financial benefits they deserved in the genre's early days. Felicia Horowitz, co-founder of Paid in Full with husband Ben Horowitz, noted in her opening remarks that the foundation aims to "right that wrong" through its grant-making program. Past recipients include Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee, Rakim, Scarface and Shanté.

Memorable moments from this year's event included Clinton rolling into the Tower Ballroom on a motorized shopping cart; Jones III asking Clinton to rap Rakim's verses on "Follow the Leader" and Rakim emerging from backstage to rhyme with him; Dr. Dre showing up to thank Clinton for his influence; and spirited performances from Nas, Kool Moe Dee and more.

Against their better judgment, we were allowed inside—much to everyone's disappointment. Find some photos of people way cooler than us below.

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(Paid in Full Foundation)

Dr Funkenstein spits Rakim's 'Follow The Leader' bars...

https://x.com/Passionweiss/status/1980128303496454453