Classic hip hop artists Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick, and Doug E. Fresh are headlining DJ Cassidy’s latest “Pass the Mic” concert series, which has taken up residence in Las Vegas for the month. The performances are being held at the Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a venue known for hosting major acts like Shania Twain, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez.
DJ Cassidy, inspired by the elegance and sophistication of old-world Vegas, has brought a unique twist to the residency. “I’ve always been inspired by old world Vegas,” Cassidy shared. “When the opportunity arose to bring ‘Pass the Mic Live!’ to Vegas, I immediately knew I wanted to capture that old work spirit and elegance and sophistication.”
The hip hop icons have embraced the classic Vegas vibe, often seen around town in tuxedos, reminiscent of the Rat Pack era. They’ve been spotted at legendary spots like the Golden Steer Steakhouse, a favorite of Frank Sinatra. Cassidy even mentioned that Ja Rule has been teaching him how to golf, adding to the camaraderie and fun of the residency.
Public Enemy has also made appearances as a rotating act, with Flava Flav delivering a heartfelt speech about the residency’s role in uniting hip hop artists. “We’ve really captured this kind of iconic Vegas energy, that Vegas hasn’t seen in a long time, and we’ve done it through a hip hop lens — through a New York lens,” Cassidy said.
The residency, which kicked off on July 6, features a rotating lineup of special guests, including Warren G, Too $hort, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Ghostface Killah, Akon, and Raekwon. Each show promises unique collaborative moments, making every performance a one-of-a-kind experience. “This will be unlike any other show you’ve seen,” Cassidy told Variety. “Every show is a unique experience with one-of-a-kind collaborative moments.”
Drawing inspiration from iconic Las Vegas shows, not just the Rat Pack but also Liberace, Wayne Newton, and Elvis Presley, Cassidy aims to channel their spirit through a hip-hop lens. “We want to channel the spirit of those shows and redefine it through a hip-hop lens, to create something that will go down in Vegas history,” he said.
The residency is a significant milestone for hip hop, a genre that has rarely been featured in long-term Las Vegas shows. “There is not a lot of hip-hop in the Las Vegas residency space, and I am very cognizant of that,” Cassidy noted. “It’s really important to all of us to create something not only that represents hip-hop in a special way but also something that can be talked about in the future in the same sentence as the other performers and shows that I mentioned.”
Public Enemy’s one-night appearance on the first weekend was particularly notable, as they have only performed one other show in the U.S. in the last seven years. “It’s quite an honor to have them, as it is to have everyone,” Cassidy said. “And Flavor Flav lives in Las Vegas, so he’s now a hometown hero.”
Cassidy’s passion for hip hop and his relationships with these artists have been the driving force behind the series. “All of these artists are my hip-hop heroes, and they have been since I was a child,” he shared. “It’s surreal to see my name on anything with these artists.”
The schedule for the residency’s special guests includes appearances by Raekwon and Ghostface Killah on July 5, Public Enemy on July 6, Akon on July 12 and 13, Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat on July 19, and Too $hort and Warren G on July 20.
The Las Vegas residency is the latest chapter in the “Pass the Mic” series, which began during the early days of the pandemic. Cassidy started the series by filming top R&B and hip-hop legends rapping or singing a verse and a chorus of their biggest hits, arranged to a continuous beat for seamless medleys. The series quickly evolved into TV specials on BET and live arena shows.
“Pass the Mic Live’s first show was almost exactly a year ago, May 12, 2023, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where we sold out an arena on the very first shot,” Cassidy recounted. “Most recently we brought it back to the place where it all started, at Prudential Center; we were just there on May 11 for another sold-out arena show.”
Cassidy’s fascination with old-world Las Vegas and the Rat Pack has been a significant influence on the residency. “When you think of the Rat Pack, you think of five solo performers who came to Vegas as superstars, not as unknowns, yet they came together to form an ensemble that you could only see in Las Vegas,” he explained. “That’s what Pass the Mic has been from day one.”
The residency promises to be a unique experience, with Cassidy and the hip hop legends moving to Vegas for the month, packing their tuxedos and bow ties. “We encourage everyone to do the same,” Cassidy said. “We’re encouraging everyone to feel fly and dress the part, and really help us create a unique experience that Vegas hasn’t seen in a long time.”
Viewers can get a preview of the musical flavor of the residency when Cassidy, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, and Doug E. Fresh perform on “The Tamron Hall Show.”
Source: Page Six, Variety
