Sixteen years ago, XXL took the classic cover shot known as A Great Day in Hip-Hop. Featuring many rappers and hip-hop stars, the photo was taken by the great Gordon Parks. What follows is just one one the hundreds of behind-the-scenes tales from that beautiful afternoon...

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Thanks for sharing! How befitting was it for Cool Herc to be the one to finish corralling everyone together for the shoot. Mos Def was like a little kid in a candy store I couldn't blame him.

Modeled after "A Great Day In Harlem," I take it.

namepeace said:

Modeled after "A Great Day In Harlem," I take it.

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Funny how Ra was/is still respected from Hip Hop Golden Years. I know this goes back sixteen years but he still is reverenced as one of the best and influential.

Though Rakim was most revered, Rakim himself was geeked to meet The Roots' Black Thought (Tariq) that day.

Cinny said:

Though Rakim was most revered, Rakim himself was geeked to meet The Roots' Black Thought (Tariq) that day.

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That's cool. Black Thought is often overlooked.

Musicslave said:

namepeace said:

Modeled after "A Great Day In Harlem," I take it.

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Funny how Ra was/is still respected from Hip Hop Golden Years. I know this goes back sixteen years but he still is reverenced as one of the best and influential.

To me, as long as he's breathing, he's the greatest MC alive. Other MCs of his time like Chuck D and KRS-ONE were vitally important. But Rakim redefined the MC.

oh...i thought u were saying it was officially dead

namepeace said:

Musicslave said:

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Funny how Ra was/is still respected from Hip Hop Golden Years. I know this goes back sixteen years but he still is reverenced as one of the best and influential.

To me, as long as he's breathing, he's the greatest MC alive. Other MCs of his time like Chuck D and KRS-ONE were vitally important. But Rakim redefined the MC.

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Your reply begs the question, is there a dead MC who's greater? Totally agree on his impact on the MC in general. Sad to say though, his influence seems to be dwindling more with this current generation though. You can hear the hallmarks of Ra in NaS, Eminem and nem from that class of artist, not so much from this crop of rappers.

luvsexy4all said:

oh...i thought u were saying it was officially dead

Things done changed!!!

Cinny said:

luvsexy4all said:

oh...i thought u were saying it was officially dead

Things done changed!!!

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Musicslave said:

namepeace said:

To me, as long as he's breathing, he's the greatest MC alive. Other MCs of his time like Chuck D and KRS-ONE were vitally important. But Rakim redefined the MC.

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Your reply begs the question, is there a dead MC who's greater? Totally agree on his impact on the MC in general. Sad to say though, his influence seems to be dwindling more with this current generation though. You can hear the hallmarks of Ra in NaS, Eminem and nem from that class of artist, not so much from this crop of rappers.

To be clear, a lot of MCs in the game have claimed the mythical title of "greatest rapper alive." That's different from "GOAT."

And Rakim owns both belts, as far as I'm concenred.

Cinny said:

luvsexy4all said:

oh...i thought u were saying it was officially dead

Things done changed!!!

I think I speak for all those who lived through the Vanilla Ice Age when I say, maybe they haven't.

namepeace said:

Musicslave said:

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Your reply begs the question, is there a dead MC who's greater? Totally agree on his impact on the MC in general. Sad to say though, his influence seems to be dwindling more with this current generation though. You can hear the hallmarks of Ra in NaS, Eminem and nem from that class of artist, not so much from this crop of rappers.

To be clear, a lot of MCs in the game have claimed the mythical title of "greatest rapper alive." That's different from "GOAT."

And Rakim owns both belts, as far as I'm concenred.

Oh, you mean like, Jay Z and Lil Wayne? I know there are others but these two in particular makes a regular offense.

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I think we're reading from the same page on Mr. Griffin. Although I'm sure plenty would say, Mr. Wallace might be worthy of such a claim, "GOAT" that is.

Musicslave said:

namepeace said:

To be clear, a lot of MCs in the game have claimed the mythical title of "greatest rapper alive." That's different from "GOAT."

And Rakim owns both belts, as far as I'm concenred.

Oh, you mean like, Jay Z and Lil Wayne? I know there are others but these two in particular makes a regular offense.

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I think we're reading from the same page on Mr. Griffin. Although I'm sure plenty would say, Mr. Wallace might be worthy of such a claim, "GOAT" that is.

Indeed!

I've never heard about this before. Very interesting! Wonderful picture.

namepeace said:

Cinny said:

Things done changed!!!

I think I speak for all those who lived through the Vanilla Ice Age when I say, maybe they haven't.

vanilla ice is now going amish

luvsexy4all said:

namepeace said:

I think I speak for all those who lived through the Vanilla Ice Age when I say, maybe they haven't.

vanilla ice is now going amish

Vanilla sells real estate and stays paid.