Inside Spirit of Life’s Star-Studded 50th Anniversary Gala Honoring Lyor Cohen

“Lyor Cohen modified my life,” mentioned rapper and Drink Champs host N.O.R.E., chatting with the packed open-air area at Pacific Design Middle in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening (Oct. 18). 

He was certainly one of many to specific appreciation for Cohen all through the night, throughout which business titans (akin to Lucian Grainge, Sylvia Rhone, Jon Platt, Julie Greenwald and extra) mingled with hip-hop royalty (akin to Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, Ludacris, Diddy and others). In spite of everything, the style’s fiftieth anniversary simply to occurs to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Metropolis of Hope‘s philanthropic partnership with the Music, Movie and Leisure Business (MFEI) — making Cohen, contemplating his contributions to and affect on hip-hop, in addition to his beneficiant spirit and advocacy for accessible and inexpensive take care of all, a great recipient of the Metropolis of Hope 2023 Spirit of Life Award. 

And although his honor was revealed again in March, the occasion itself got here at an unexpectedly becoming time, because it appeared your complete music business was ready to listen to from Cohen (the son of Israeli immigrants) on present occasions unfolding in Israel and Gaza. It appeared that he, too, had been ready for this second and platform to share them. 

“With all that’s happening on the planet, Lyor, you powered although,” mentioned Evan Lamberg, Metropolis of Hope’s MFEI board president. Lamberg additionally known as Cohen – present international head of music at YouTube and Google – “indomitable,” noting his 93-year-old mom was in attendance, amongst many different members of Cohen’s household.

However earlier than Cohen himself might converse, there was the enterprise of fundraising. Diddy kicked issues off, changing into the primary to donate on the entry level of $100,000. Dozens adopted, finally elevating over $4.3 million. (Over the course of its 50-year partnership with Metropolis of Hope, the MFEI has raised a complete of $150 million to treatment and stop most cancers, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and different life-threatening ailments.)

Subsequent up was the long-awaited efficiency, for which the gang was spoiled with a endless parade of hip-hop and R&B greats as DJ Cassidy introduced his Go the Mic Stay! franchise to the stage (a lot of which Jay-Z, seated on the Sony Music desk subsequent to Platt, bobbed alongside to). After Cassidy devoted the set to Cohen (“an icon behind the scenes”), what adopted was a 30-plus-minute jaw-dropping present throughout which the mic was handed almost 20 occasions to artists and teams together with: Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, Huge Daddy Kane, MC Serch, Good ‘N Clean, EPMD, Redman, Onyx, Warren G, Domino, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill, Ja Rule, T.I. with Swizz Beatz and Public Enemy, who ended with an all-star rendition of “Battle the Energy.” 

Simply earlier than 9:45 (45 minutes after the occasion’s scheduled finish time), Cohen’s congratulatory video began to play, that includes everybody from Busta Rhymes and Slim to Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald. Chuck D then returned to the stage to introduce Cohen, delivering a very memorable opening line: “[Run-]D.M.C. says hip-hop succeeds the place religions and governments fail – and that’s ironic at this specific time proper now.”

It’s a sentiment that set the tone for Cohen to ship his personal anticipated speech, which started with the sound of a pc glitching because the lights switched off (“Lights!” exclaimed Chuck, to which Lyor motioned all was properly… it was all a part of the plan). Cohen opted to open with an excerpt of the well-known “ultimate speech” delivered by Charlie Chaplin within the 1940 movie The Nice Dictator, wherein he finally requires unity. 

“We got here right here to assist eradicate most cancers, however wouldn’t or not it’s nice if we might additionally eradicate hate?” mentioned Cohen as soon as the lights got here again on. He spoke of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist assault at a music competition in Israel, saying it’ll by no means be forgotten and calling for the quick return of those that had been kidnapped and are nonetheless being held hostage. “I’m so sorry to hijack this particular occasion to specific my emotions as a human,” he mentioned, “simply as I categorical them when injustices occur to anybody focused due to their race or faith or sexual identification… My coronary heart goes out to all of the Palestinian folks within the area which have needed to endure pointless lack of life. I pray for peace – received’t you be part of me?”

He proceeded to specific gratitude for his household, lots of whom had been in attendance and plenty of of whom, as he mentioned, couldn’t make it “as a result of they’re burying Israeli kids.” He then thanked the room for “a lifetime of tolerance and kindness and unwavering perception within the mission,” calling out Greenwald (“for at all times making an attempt to make everybody higher with love”), Liles (“you’re a selfless warrior”), Russell Simmons (“thanks for this glorious life that I stay”) and the “nice music and nice artists that I’ve had the distinction of serving.” 

Lastly, Cohen addressed “the extra controversy,” saying “I’m so sick and bored with folks considering that movie star and fame trumps nice music and artistry. We’re in a cool monkey second however don’t get it twisted, high quality will at all times prevail.” 

LL Cool J then closed out the evening (alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff and Adam Blackstone) with a medley of hits together with “Mama Mentioned Knock You Out.” Earlier than stepping off stage, he addressed Cohen instantly:  “We went by way of lots… and all of it ended up actually nice.”

And because the crowd began to shuffle out, he shared one ultimate message – and it completely underscored the ethos of your complete evening: “Erase the Hate.”