Hot 97 Summer Jam 2026 Backstage — Shot by Sha Germain

Newark, NJ — July 24, 2026. The stage lights get all the glory, but the real Summer Jam lives in the tunnels of the Prudential Center. This year, YoWhoDisCalling handed the all-access pass to photographer Sha Germain (@young_germain), whose lens turned the hallways, dressing-room doors, and step-and-repeat of Hot 97 Summer Jam 2026 into a front-row seat on hip-hop's biggest night.

From New Jersey legends to New York's drill wave, Toronto imports to viral personalities, the backstage was a who's-who of the culture. Here's who slid through — and where to follow them.

Jersey stood on business

You can't talk Summer Jam in Newark without the hometown heavyweights. Fat Joe (@fatjoe) moved through the halls in all-white like the elder statesman he is, while Jersey's own Albee Al (@albeeal201) and Paterson's Harrd Luck (@harrdluck) repped the tri-state to the fullest. Battle-rap royalty Tsu Surf (@tsu_surf) pulled up, and NY-to-Jersey favorites Kocky Ka (@kocky_ka), King Beamo (@kingbeamo_), BTB Dezz (@btbdezz), and Oskama Esteban (@oskama_zg) kept the energy up all night.

The drill wave rolled deep

New York's new class was out in force. 41's own Kyle Richh (@realkylerichh) and Jenn Carter (@therealjenncarter) brought the drill sound backstage, alongside Brooklyn's Sleepy Hallow (@_sleepyhallow_). West Coast heat came through with Fenix Flexin (@fenixflexinofficial), Toronto sent Pressa (@pressa.armani), and chart-topper Mayor Capella Grey (@mayorcapellagrey) slid through with the "Gyalis" energy intact.

Headliner moments

The night's biggest names lit up the tunnel. DaBaby (@dababy) held court in the mirror, gold chains gleaming, while G Herbo (@nolimitherbo) kept it low-key in Nahmias. Coney Island's Gorilla Nems (@nems_fyl) brought the "Bing Bong" spirit, and R&B riser Honey Bxby (@itshoneybxby) made her presence felt. Reality-TV powerhouse Natalie Nunn (@realmissnatalienunn) emerged from her dressing room to a hallway of cameras, and Bronx hitmaker DreamDoll (@dreamdoll) worked the tunnel in pink, red cup in hand.

The voices behind the mic

Summer Jam is a Hot 97 (@hot97) production top to bottom, and the station's personalities worked the room. DJ Drewski (@sodrewski) — the first New Jersey DJ on Hot 97 in decades — ran interviews, joined by "Tri State of Mind" comedians Rayyy Rayyy (@iamrayyyrayyy) and Kennstarz (@kenstarrrz). Blogger heavyweight ItsBizKitt (@itsbizkitt) and independent artist Story (@therealstory.hl) added to the media circus, with Itskyforshort (@itskyforshort) and Jay Bezzy (@officialjaybezzy_) in the mix.

Behind the camera

None of these frames happen without the crew. Backstage access was captured by Sha Germain (@young_germain), with film director Ishell Vaughan (@ishell.raw) and creative Denity / Eddie Foster (@denity) documenting the night for YoWhoDisCalling.

Where hip-hop lives

Hot 97 Summer Jam 2026 proved once again why "The Rock" is home turf for the culture. From Jersey legends to the drill generation, from platinum headliners to the personalities that keep the internet talking, the backstage told the whole story of where hip-hop is right now — and Sha Germain caught every second of it.

Follow @young_germain for the full gallery, and keep it locked to YoWhoDisCalling for exclusive access, performance videos, and new music first.

Photos: Sha Germain (@young_germain). Event: Hot 97 Summer Jam 2026, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, July 24, 2026.

Inside Hot 97 Summer Jam 2026: Backstage, Uncut — Shot by Sha Germain