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The OG spot for hip-hop heads and artists to gather on the internet before social media was ever around, Okayplayer is celebrating its 25th anniversary and our extended family is looking back.
Okayplayer is lucky to hold such a special place in music and culture. As we hit the quarter-century mark, here are some heartfelt words and memories from our extended family explaining what Okayplayer has meant to them over the years.
I remember when Angela Nissel was building the site in Ahmir’s bedroom she would be coding looking like the mad scientist. Okayplayer essentially was social media before social media for a huge community of like-minded creatives that energized many of us and clearly was the springboard to many other platforms. The Roots organization and the team that has kept the culture moving forward for a very long time deserve all the flowers for the vision and contributions. Happy 25th Anniversary to the incredible brand and all the people who have benefitted from its existence.
My favorite Okayplayer moment was rocking The Roots Picnic back in 2013 with Joey Bada$, and that was right after Black Thought had done his crazy verse for [my song] “Bird’s Eye View.” I also remember all the way back, opening those Root’s CDs and seeing Okayplayer on there and thinking “what is that?” So it’s always been part of the culture and the hip-hop I love. Big salute to y’all.
Okayplayer has always played an important role in my career. My fondest memory was getting an album reviewed for the first time. Seeing my record on Okayplayer was a milestone. I’m forever grateful for the outlet it provides.
One of my finest memories ever of Okayplayer was being on the OKP Tour, me and Baatin, rockin' with The Roots, Dead Prez, the whole squad, sharing a bus. Those were classic times — there will never be another. Shout out to Okayplayer.
I’ve always respected Okayplayer/The Roots and their organic, left-of-center approach to music and culture. It’s great to see the movement still alive and well after 25 years and still going strong. Much love to Questlove, Black Thought and the entire crew.
I grew up in a single-parent household where my mom introduced me to a wide variety of music. In those years, I discovered The Philadelphia Experience. Which was a jazz group that Questlove was in. Then the Soulquarians as a whole influenced my sound to be as raw as I want to be. They brought the bass to soul music - giving the folks something to groove to while they think a lil bit too. Thank you Okayplayer for the endless inspiration.
Okayplayer is no ordinary website. Okayplayer is a movement and an extension of The Roots. As The Roots is one of my favorite rap groups, it has been an honor and privilege to witness the evolution of OKP as the site has reinforced the essence of hip-hop, soul music, jazz and other cultural art forms. As I reflect on 25 years, I recall one of my favorite moments was when the late Rich Nichols called and that outreach allowed me to collaborate on two records with one of my favorites lyricists, Black Thought, and one of my favorite rap groups, The Roots. It was surreal to be able to collaborate as both a fan and peer. It is my hope to make another memory as a performer on the iconic Roots Picnic. Continued elevation and growth for Okayplayer.
