Jim Jones’s defining Hot 97 Summer Jam moment came in 2008, when he stormed the stage at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. By then, he wasn’t just a Harlem rapper tied to the Diplomats—he had stepped into his own spotlight. “We Fly High” had exploded across airwaves, soundtracking clubs, and corners with its indelible “ballin’” chant. That summer, Jones’s presence at Summer Jam didn’t feel like a guest appearance—it felt like a coronation.

More than a decade later, the performance still echoes in the culture. It’s remembered not only for the music but for the emotion—the grit of a rapper who refused to fade. Jim Jones didn’t just perform that night. He etched himself into Summer Jam history, where legends are born in the spotlight and tested by the crowd.

Now, as Summer Jam 2025 approaches, Jones is preparing to return once again—this time under the banner of “Jim Jones and Friends.” He’s teased surprise guests, sparking rumors of another Dipset reunion. Fans know that when Jones touches that stage, it’s more than a performance—it’s a celebration of survival, of evolution, of hip-hop’s gritty heartbeat.

Jones hit the airwaves on April 3 to invite New York out to party with him — especially Harlem. His journey through Summer Jam mirrors his career: unpredictable, resilient, and forever rooted in the streets that shaped him.

While promoting the upcoming concert, Jim Jones sat down with the station to share that he will be bringing back that old feeling that makes Summer Jam legendary. “Shoutout to New York City, we all coming to tear Summer Jam down,” Capo tells Hot 97’s Nessa. “I dunno if you’ve been to Summer Jam when we used to do it, but we bringin’ that energy back in the building. I don’t know, I might bring that Summer Jam screen back — you heard.”

From Lil Wayne to Dave East to Migos, Jimmy has endless friends in hip-hop to call on to perform alongside him at this year’s annual concert. From the Lobby Boyz to Byrd Gang to Roc-A-Fella, he has many fractions to choose from to invite on stage to create countless hip-hop moments

Jim Jones’ Hot 97 Summer Jam History

Jim Jones made his Summer Jam debut with Cam’Ron and Dipset in the early 2000s. Jones and the Diplomats were in the parking lot when they were unexpectedly asked to replace Nas, whose absence left a last-minute opening.

Without hesitation, Dipset took the stage, transforming what could’ve been a brief cameo into a defining moment. That spontaneous debut introduced the Harlem crew to thousands and etched their names into Summer Jam folklore.

Since then, Jones has returned to the stage multiple times, evolving from a hungry newcomer to a seasoned performer. Whether rolling solo or flanked by Cam’ron and Juelz Santana, Jones consistently delivers sets laced with grit, nostalgia, and crowd-shaking surprises.

His 2008 performance at Giants Stadium remains a fan favorite, remembered for its raw energy and unexpected guest appearances. He doesn’t simply perform—he brings a piece of Harlem to the stage every time.

Summer Jam has long been a cultural checkpoint for hip-hop, and Jones respects its power. He views the stage as a rare space where legacy artists and emerging stars collide in real-time. For him, it’s not just about music; it’s about moments that shape public memory and solidify impact.

Before Capo hits the Summer Jam stage, refresh yourself with a couple of his classics below. Summer Jam 2025 tickets are on sale now.

“Certified Gangstas”

“We Fly High”

“We Set The Trends”

Following legal turmoil tied to the YSL RICO case, Gunna found himself navigating not only the justice system but also public opinion. Yet his response was both calculated and deeply personal. In 2023, he released A Gift & A Curse, a stark, surprise album that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Its breakout track “fukumean” became an anthem of resilience, topping the rap charts and flooding playlists nationwide. It was a reminder that Gunna’s gift for weaving melody and vulnerability into trap music remains unmatched.

2024 has only solidified that trajectory. He’s released a string of introspective singles—“Bittersweet,” “Him All Along,” and the Offset-assisted “Prada Dem”—that showcase both his lyrical growth and artistic focus. His latest album, One of Wun, is a layered body of work that grapples with isolation, redemption, and self-reclamation. Rather than run from scrutiny, Gunna has turned it into fuel.

His forthcoming Summer Jam set promises to reflect that transformation. From surprise guest to featured performer, Gunna’s evolution mirrors the music itself—sharper, more honest, and undeniably compelling.

In 2019, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie made his second Summer Jam appearance, hitting the MetLife Stadium stage once again with undeniable momentum. Riding high off the success of his chart-topping album Hoodie SZN, he delivered a standout set packed with fan favorites like “Swervin,” “Jungle,” and “Look Back at It.”

He returned in 2021 as Summer Jam made its post-pandemic comeback, performing alongside DaBaby, Migos, Swizz Beatz, and during a powerful DMX tribute. Each time, A Boogie reminded the crowd that he’s built for moments like this.

Now in 2025, he’s bringing that same unmatched energy to the Prudential Center stage for what will be his fourth Summer Jam performance.

Since his 2016 breakout mixtape Artist, A Boogie has become one of New York’s most impactful voices. Over the years, his albums Hoodie SZN, Artist 2.0, and Me vs. Myself have delivered hit after hit. Tracks like “Look Back at It,” “Drowning,” and “Mood Swings” showcase his unique ability to blend pain, confidence, and melody. No one else does it quite like him. As he once put it, “My music is really based off emotion. I treat the booth like my therapy.”

In recent years, he’s linked up with Roddy Ricch, Kodak Black, and Mariah the Scientist. He continues to evolve while keeping his signature edge. Tracks like “Her Birthday” and “Steppas” keep his name on fire. With a new album, Better Off Alone, on the way, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Off stage, he’s a father of two. On stage, he’s a problem. With billions of streams and a global fanbase, A Boogie is one of the most consistent hitmakers of his generation.

Summer Jam 2025 is about to feel like a Bronx block party. A Boogie is coming home, again, and the city is ready.

Launching his rap career in 1994 with the group Cash Money Click, Ja linked up with Irv Gotti, an up-and-coming producer and mogul at the time, who signed him to Def Jam Records. He made his first solo appearance on Mic Geronimo’s “Time to Build” in 1995, alongside future fellow icons, Jay-Z and DMX.

In 1999, Ja released “Holla Holla,” his first hit from his platinum-selling album Venni Vetti Vecci, which was a sign of things to come.

His sophomore project, Rule 3:36, debuted at the number of the US Billboard 200, selling more than 276,000 copies in its first week of release as the flagship artist of Murder Inc. Records. Eventually, the album went triple platinum. The smash hits on the album were “Between Me & You” featuring Christina Milian, “Put It on Me” featuring Vita and Lil Mo, and “I Cry” featuring Lil Mo.

In 2001, Ja appeared on Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Real (Murder Remix)”  which held the number one spot on the Billboard 100 for five consecutive weeks.

Throughout the 2000s, Ja would release several more chart-topping songs such as  “Living It Up,” “Thug Lovin’,” “Always on Time,” and “Mesmerize,” making him a global superstar.

Almost 30 years after his debut in the game, Ja is still in demand all over the world, playing sold-out concerts and festivals.

A veteran of the Summer Jam stage, Ja played one of the biggest shows in the history of the event in 2001 and several other shows throughout the years.

At Summer Jam 2025, “Ja and Friends” will honor the life and legacy of Irv Gotti, who passed away in February.

To catch “Ja on Friends” on stage, make sure you get your tickets to Summer Jam 2025, which will be returning to Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center on Friday, June 20.

Raised in the church, Gloria “GloRilla” Hallelujah Woods offers the perfect balance of rightouness and rachetnesss. Since dropping off her 2022 now-double platnium hit, “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” GloRilla has garnered major attention and even earned herself a few Grammy nominations.

With her infectious energy and down-to-earth personality, the rapper caught fans hearts and it also didn’t hurt that she kept the hits coming.

Following “F.N.F,” she dropped off tracks like “Tommorrow 2” featuring Cardi B and “Blessed” which both appear on her 2022 mixtape, Anyways, Life’s Great. She didn’t stop there. In 2024, she released her Ehhthang Ehhthang mixtape. The project featured several hit singles including her smash hit, “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.

In October 2024, GloRilla released her debut album, Glorious, which debuted at No.5 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Now she’s ramping up take on the Summer Jam stage for the first time and will be performing with the likes of Gunna, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Muni Long, Asake, Ayra Star, and more.