As the rhythmic heartbeat of cultural evolution, hip-hop marks an illustrious milestone, proudly celebrating five decades of revolutionary expression, vibrant creativity, and unapologetic authenticity.
From its humble beginnings in the Bronx streets of the 1970s to becoming a global phenomenon that transcends boundaries, languages, and generations, hip-hop has continuously shaped the landscape of music, fashion, art, and society. With its pulsating beats, poetic verses, and unyielding spirit, hip-hop’s golden jubilee stands as a testament to the enduring power of a movement that dared to challenge norms, ignite conversations, and give voice to the unheard.
To further commemorate this milestone, the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority has partnered with Universal Music Enterprises to release four special edition MetroCards featuring the faces of Cam’ron, LL Cool J, Pop Smoke, and Rakim.
Last year, the MTA honored The Notorious B.I.G. with his very own MetroCard in celebration of what would’ve been his 50th birthday, so it’s only right to keep that same energy for our other hip-hop greats who have paved the way for today’s rising artists!
While the announcement of these custom cards was made public over the weekend, only LL Cool J and Pop Smoke’s MetroCards are available for purchase right now. Each rapper’s MetroCards are available to pick up in their respective boroughs – Forest Hills-71st Avenue station (E, F, M, and R lines) for LL Cool J and the Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway station (L line) and the New Lots Avenue station (3 line) for the late Pop Smoke – but, if you want Cam’ron and Rakim’s collectible cards, you’ll have to wait for that drop later this month.
Have you copped your MetroCard collectibles yet? Let us know in the comments!