The Source |Paid in Full Foundation Presents The 4th Annual Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards, Kurtis Blow and The D.O.C. Honored At This Years Event

It was a landmark weekend forFelicia and Ben Horowitz, as they hosted the4th Annual Paid In Full Foundation Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awardson Saturday, October 24th, 2026. Through the Foundation they co-founded, they are committed to honoring the pioneers whose extraordinary contributions helped shape hip-hop into one of the most influential cultural movements in the world.

Over the past several decades, hip-hop has evolved from a grassroots art form born in New York into a global phenomenon. Along the way, it has created countless careers, generated tremendous wealth, and, most importantly, given generations of young people hope, inspiration, and the belief that a better future is possible.

Yet many of the original artists who helped build this cultural movement have never received recognition commensurate with their contributions to music, the arts, and society. ThePaid in Full Foundationseeks to help change that through its grantmaking program, honoring the individuals who laid the foundation for hip-hop while providing them with meaningful resources to continue pursuing their creative and intellectual passions and contributing to future generations.

In addition to the honor, each recipient received a five-year grant totaling $500,000 to bless the world with their creative talents.

The Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards, presented by thePaid in Full Foundation, celebrated the pioneers of hip-hop whose artistry and innovation shaped the culture. These awards honor the originators and storytellers who built the foundation of the genre and influenced generations worldwide. They are given to legendary artists in recognition of their lasting impact, ensuring their legacies are celebrated with the respect and visibility they deserve. These great artists also serve as the artistic directors of the Paid in Full Foundation as they collectively select the subsequent years winners.

Hosted byJay PharoahandRoxanne Shanté, the gala featured live performances and appearances fromNile Rodgers,Grandmaster Caz,Grand Puba,Mr. Wiggles,Syncopated Ladies,Ice Cube,Reverend Run,NAS,DJ Battlecat,Fab 5 Freddyand others.

In attendance were the Foundation’s Board of DirectorsBenjamin Horowitz, Felicia Horowitz,Stephen J. Stoute, Michelle Ebanks,Quincy Jones III,andNAS.

During the4th Annual Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awardsthe transformational artists were honored and celebrated through each category. All net proceeds raised from the impactful event will directly support The Paid in Full Foundation’s mission to empower hip-hop pioneers and other creatives.

This year’s Hip Hop Grandmaster award recipientsare legendsKurtis Blow&The D.O.C

Ralph McDanielsreceived theContributor Award, presented by the Paid in Full Foundation, recognizing his lasting contributions to hip-hop culture and his role in expanding the genre’s reach and influence.

Nile Rodgersreceived theQuincy Jones Award, honoring the legendary artists whose work in jazz, rock, and R&B laid the musical foundation for hip-hop and continues to influence generations of artists.

The evening also featured notable attendees such asGayle King(CBS News journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings),Scarface(music artist),Rakim(music artist),Johnny Gill(recording artist),Doug E. Fresh(music artist),Van Jones(CNN commentator, author and criminal justice reform advocate),Kool G Rap(music artist),Kool Moe Dee(music artist) ,Andrew Farkas(real estate investor and founder of Island Capital Group),Adam Neumann(WeWork co-founder and real estate entrepreneur),Mark Davis(owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Aces),Sandra Douglas Morgan(president of the Las Vegas Raiders),Michael Ovitz(co-founder of Creative Artists Agency and former president of The Walt Disney Company) andDavid Goggins(motivational speaker),Eddie Griffin(Actor, comedian),Brice Butler(Former NFL player),David Ghiyam(Motivational speaker),Michael Davis(Former NFL player),Alice Marie Johnson(American criminal justice reform advocate).

The evening concluded with a powerful celebration of hip-hop’s enduring legacy, honoring the artists and cultural visionaries whose contributions continue to shape music, creativity, and communities around the world.

Through theannual Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awardsand its philanthropic initiatives, thePaid in Full Foundationremains committed to ensuring the pioneers who built the culture are recognized, supported, and celebrated for generations to come.

For more information on The Paid In Full Foundation, please visit the website:https://paidinfullfoundation.org/and on Instagram@paidinfullfoundation.