The MTA is getting in on the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with some limited edition MetroCards. Cards featuring LL Cool J and the late Pop Smoke began being distributed at vending machines at Forest Hills-71 Av and Canarsie-Rockaway Pkway (L) and New Lots Ave (3), respectively, over the weekend, and Rakim and Cam’ron MetroCards will arrive later this month. The exact date and locations are still to be announced.
“From standing on top of the Empire State Building to grabbing a slice at the corner pizza shop, NYC creates iconic moments that are recognized around the world,” Rakin says in a statement. “But it doesn’t get closer to real city life than swiping a metro card and standing clear of the closing doors. It’s an honor to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary on the streets…and now below them…of the city where hip-hop was born.”
“When I first started in Hip-Hop, we were using tokens and then in the 90s the MetroCard came out,” LL Cool J adds. “And through the pandemic I remember riding the subway anonymously by myself. Now in 2023 I have my own limited-edition MetroCard in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. This is a beautiful full circle moment. Hip-Hop is amazing!”
There are also limited edition Jay-Z and Wild Style library cards celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
Cam’ron has been added to the big Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium concert this Friday, along with Nas, Wiz Khalifa, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Kid Capri. They join Rum DMC, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, and many more for the show.
Last year, Biggie was honored with his own limited MetroCards.
