Clipse Become First Hip-Hop Artists To Perform At The Vatican In Rome
In a groundbreaking and reverent moment for both music and culture, Clipse—the legendary hip-hop duo comprised of Pusha T and No Malice—became the first hip-hop artists in history to perform at The Vatican.
The Virginians made the trek overseas to put forth a moving performance during the Grace for the World concert held in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday (Sept. 13).
Not only did Clipse shatter boundaries by stepping onto one of the most sacred stages on Earth, but they also took part in a historic first: Grace for the World marked the first-ever concert to be held in St. Peter’s Square, located at the heart of Vatican City in Rome, Italy.
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The duo performed their soul-searching track “The Birds Don’t Sing” with a surprise appearance from John Legend, whose soaring vocals added depth and spiritual resonance to the already heartfelt set. The powerful collaboration left attendees in awe, blending the raw lyricism of hip-hop with gospel-infused soul.
“This is a rare cultural moment where the world stops and collectively tunes in. It is a message of unity and grace for all of humanity,” said Pharrell Williams, whose company Something in the Water co-produced the event alongside Nova Sky Stories and the legendary Andrea Bocelli.
The star-studded concert also featured performances from Jennifer Hudson, BamBam, Jelly Roll, Karol G, and Teddy Swims, a lineup that transcended genre, language, and faith.
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For Clipse, the moment is another peak in a year of reinvention and resurgence. The duo’s long-awaited fourth studio album, Let God Sort ’Em Out, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, powered by singles like “Ace Trumpets” and “So Be It.” Their first release in over 15 years has already been hailed as one of 2025’s best hip-hop albums.
In a performance that bridged the sacred and the street, Clipse not only made history—they brought hip-hop to one of the holiest stages in the world.
Watch the Clipse’s performance at the Grace for the World concert below.
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