The Spirit of Life Gala, hosted by the cancer research and treatment organization City of Hope, will honour hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Lyor Cohen with a one-night-only version of DJ Cassidy’s “Pass the Mic Live!” on October 18 at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. The performance will include appearances by Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Dru Hill, EPMD, Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek, Swizz Beatz and T.I., all artists who have worked with Cohen in some capacity throughout his career.
Cohen will also host the event, which is organised by the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) charity.
In his 40 years in the industry, Cohen has worked at Rush Management, Island Def Jam Music Group, Warner Music Group, 300 Entertainment and other labels. He is currently the global head of music for YouTube and Google. According to the event’s official release, this year’s City of Hope fundraising campaign, spearheaded by Cohen, will “raise awareness and funds to address the challenges underserved populations face in gaining access to quality health care, especially cancer care”.
DJ Cassidy released a statement honouring his mentor: “As a 10-year-old DJ and hip-hop kid growing up in New York City, I idolised Lyor Cohen long before he even knew my name,” he said.
DJ Cassidy continued, “Then, as his Def Jam intern during my high school years, a hero became a mentor. I am truly honoured to bring ‘Pass The Mic Live!’ to City of Hope and celebrate Lyor’s commitment to providing the best health care for hip-hop fans and artists by bringing together a once-in-a-lifetime line-up of iconic artists who have influenced his vast musical legacy and the global influence of hip-hop as a whole.
DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic series, which debuted during the pandemic and became extremely popular, is known for featuring medleys of prominent hip-hop or R&B artists performing classic hits. The series moved to BET before its final episode in 2022.
Chuck D said: “Lyor Cohen is a pioneer, and myself and Public Enemy are the beneficiaries of his visionary audacity. Hip Hop’s journey through the music industry has been tumultuous, but together with Lyor we’ve grown with it, gone through it and organised what was necessary. Working with Lyor makes you pay attention to everything. And he’ll tell you that.
The Spirit of Life Gala is sold out.
