S. Samuel
New York radio station Hot 97's Summer Jam headline roster has added another talent with music newcomer Azealia Banks getting tagged for next month's annual concert.
Banks broke the news on her Twitter account early Saturday (May 5) morning.
“Omg still can’t believe I’m doing summer jam. That sh*t is so honorary #NEWYOOOOOORRRRRRRKK,” she tweeted.
“I grew up on @Hot97” (Azealia Banks’ Twitter)
The showcase is headlined by rap stars Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Waka Flocka Flame.
Moments ago, New York’s Hot 97 crew officially announced the line-up for this year’s Hot 97 Summer Jam. As always, fans can expect a star-studded cast, with Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, Maino, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled & Friends and Nicki Minaj all confirmed to perform at the one-day showcase. The Summer Jam takes place on Sunday June 3rd at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. (Soul Culture UK)
Additional artists set to take the stage include Maybach Music Group’s Meek Mill and Young Money’s Tyga.
Other announced performers: DJ Khaled, whose “All I Do Is Win” was an unoffical Summer Jam anthem two years ago, witty Wale, who has lately transformed himself from an underground favorite to a mainstream hitmaker, the pugnacious Maino, the diminished but still relevant Young Jeezy, and bubbling-under Meek Mill, who stands a decent chance of following his mentor Rick Ro$$ to mainstream recognition. There’ll be some (relatively) fresh faces, too: the affable Big Sean, Jay-Z protege J. Cole, quick-rhyming Young Money emcee Tyga, French Montana, Mavado, and 2 Chainz, who features prominently on “Beez in the Trap,” Nicki Minaj’s latest hit. And what about that Black Hippy collective that’s been making so much noise lately? Well, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q will be joining Pusha T and Big K.R.I.T. on the Village pre-show stage. That’s a heck of a lot of talent on the undercard; hopefully, Hot 97 will deem those rappers worthy of mainstage performances next year. (The Star-Ledger)
Recently, Azealia Banks downplayed receiving mainstream accolades by the likes of such entertainers as Kanye West and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Harlem-born 20-year-old seems almost aggressively unastonished by the attention. “I definitely have more money [now] and sh*t,” she admits, “but that’s all virtual stuff. I’ve been making music for a while. And I could read about myself on the Internet for a while.” And meeting the likes of Kanye? “It’s cool, but they’re just people. The skies don’t part and glow orange.” As Banks begins recording her first album, is she listening to anyone for inspiration? “Everyone,” she says, but mostly “Azealia Banks.” (GQ)
