Uncle Luke closed out 2023 with a prestigious honor. Last Thursday (Dec. 28), Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell (of the legendary 2 Live Crew rap group) was celebrated for his longstanding contributions to Florida’s hip-hop scene.

In a statement about the celebration, the press release reads:

“Flanked by friends, family, politicians, and local legends such as DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy, Pitbull, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and more, Uncle Luke was honored for his influence as a trailblazing artist and champion of free expression and for the contributions he’s made in his community.”

Pitbull delivered a heartwarming speech, proclaiming: “You have taught us what it is to hustle, what it is to grind, what it is to fight, what it is to own, but most of all you taught us what it is to give back. There is no bass music, Trick Daddy, Trina, Ross, Poison Clan, JT Money, DJ Khaled, DJ Laz, Pitcbull, and I can keep going down the pipeline of all South Florida and at this point, the whole muthaf**kin world without you. Thank you for everything you’ve done, you are the person who inspired me to give back to schools. Seeing what you’ve done with your career, fighting the way you’ve done, all I do is run around the whole world making sure I represent you to the best that I can, Miami at its finest, and to everyone here, thank you, it’s an honor to be able to honor someone so special like Uncle Luke.” 

Several other artists made speeches and contributed to Luke’s foundation, Liberty City Optimist Club. Now in its 31st year, the list of donors included Pitbull, who donated $100,000, and DJ Khaled’s We The Best Foundation, which donated $50,000.

It was also a celebration for Unc’s 63rd birthday, which made the moment that much more meaningful. Plus, that was probably the last hurrah of the year for hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Either way, this was a dope and long overdue moment for the culture at large.