Kool G Rap and Grand Puba were honored at the Paid in Full Foundation’s 2025 Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards celebration. The event, held on Saturday (Oct. 18) at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, also featured the presentation of the Quincy Jones Award to George Clinton and the Contributor Award to Kool Rock Ski and Jalil Hutchins.
Grand Puba expressed his gratitude, stating, “This was the biggest honor I could have ever imagined.” The gala was attended by notable figures in the music industry, including Dr. Dre, Nas, Ludacris, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and more.
Roxanne Shanté, host of the event and past award recipient, described the gala as a night filled with joy and celebration. She said, “A night of fun with family and friends. Dancing and singing from beginning to end. It was an honor to host. I can’t wait until next year.”
The Paid in Full Foundation, established in 2022 by Ben and Felicia Horowitz, aims to support hip hop pioneers. Doug E. Fresh, in attendance at the gala, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “I’ve never seen an awards show with this much class, integrity, and genuine love for hip hop pioneers.”
The foundation’s annual awards show provides a platform for recognizing and supporting artists in the hip hop community. Fresh highlighted the importance of celebrating pioneers and their contributions to the genre, emphasizing the need for continued support and recognition.
