Clipse Makes History as First Rappers to Perform at the Vatican in 2025

An unforgettable moment as Clipse breaks barriers, delivering a groundbreaking hip-hop performance at the Vatican.

A Historic Rap Performance in St. Peter’s Square

If you ever thought that hip-hop and the Vatican wouldn’t mix, think again. On a remarkable day in September 2025, rap duo Clipse — that’s Pusha T and Malice — etched their names into history by becoming the first hip-hop act to perform at the Vatican. Picture this: over 250,000 people gathered in the grand expanse of St. Peter’s Square, soaking in the spiritual and musical experience as the iconic brothers brought their lyrical artistry to one of the world’s most sacred places.

Clipse electrifying the crowd during their groundbreaking Vatican performance.

This wasn’t just any concert. It was part of Pharrell Williams’ Grace For The World concert, a heartening celebration of the 2025 Jubilee, closing out the third annual World Meeting on Human Fraternity. And talk about star power — Clipse was joined on stage by the soulful John Legend and the Voices of Fire gospel choir, adding a moving, spiritual vibe that perfectly melded with the venue.

The Soulful Sound of ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’

At the heart of Clipse’s set was their poignant track ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’ from their 2025 album Let God Sort Em Out — their first album since 2009. The song is a deeply personal reflection, born out of loss and resilience, co-written by Pharrell Williams and the legendary Stevie Wonder (who also contributed his signature piano and spoken word touches).

The live performance was a poignant moment, as Pusha T and Malice rapped with a palpable mix of strength and vulnerability. Backed by John Legend’s stirring vocals and the uplifting harmonies of Voices of Fire, the track took on a new spiritual dimension in the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Here’s a glimpse of the live magic, shared by a fan on Twitter:

CLIPSE
JOHN LEGEND
THE BIRDS DON'T SING
LIVE FROM THE VATICAN

— OnThinIce (@OnThinlce) September 13, 2025

And another fan captured the historic vibe perfectly:

From VA to the Vatican. 🔥 Clipse performing at the first ever concert in St. Peter’s Square. Legendary.

— King Kendrick (@missprivelove) September 14, 2025

An iconic moment: Clipse setting the Vatican stage on fire.

Pusha T and Malice looking sharp in Louis Vuitton at Vatican City.

The Road to the Vatican Stage

This milestone didn’t come out of nowhere. Clipse had been steadily building momentum after their official comeback in 2023, following years of solo projects and brief reunions in 2019 and 2022. Before their Vatican appearance, they wrapped up an electrifying U.S. tour, including a memorable night where they brought out none other than Kendrick Lamar to perform the classic ‘Chains & Whips’ together.

Looking ahead, Clipse’s tour schedule was packed with exciting stops across the U.S. and Europe:

Clipse’s Remaining 2025 Tour Dates:

October
26th – ONE Musicfest, Atlanta, GA

November
1st – Dia De Los Deftones, San Diego, CA
5th – 013 Poppodium, Tilburg, Netherlands
8th – L’Olympia, Paris, France
9th – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
10th – Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK
12th – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
20th – O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK

European fans, get ready — Clipse’s UK and Europe shows promise to deliver that raw energy and tight lyricism they’re known for. Tickets are available now for those eager to experience the duo live.

Clipse’s Legacy: 1994 to Now

Pusha T and Malice first burst onto the scene as Clipse back in 1994. Over the years, they built a reputation for sharp lyricism and a unique blend of streetwise storytelling mixed with soulful beats. The duo went on hiatus in 2010, focusing on their solo careers, but the spark was never truly gone.

Their return has been gradual but meaningful – not a lightning bolt but a steady, confident stride back into the limelight. Their 2025 album Let God Sort Em Out was received as a thoughtful and lyrically rich work, even if it didn’t shake the entire hip-hop world to its core.

A recent review summed it up nicely:

‘Let God Sort Em Out’ isn’t a total misfire: it’s composed, thoughtful and often impressively lyrically detailed. But after 16 years, Clipse didn’t come back knocking down doors and shocking the world. They came back to remind you they’re still here, still alive, still ruminating.

Why This Matters: Hip-Hop Meets the Vatican

This moment signals more than just a cool concert. It’s a beautiful example of how hip-hop’s influence continues to expand into unexpected places, bridging cultures, generations, and even religious spaces. For many fans, seeing Clipse perform in the Vatican felt like a cultural milestone — a blending of sacred history and modern artistry.

The powerful collaboration between Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, and music legends like Pharrell Williams and Stevie Wonder makes this one for the history books.

Clipse’s Vatican performance was a reminder that music, at its best, breaks boundaries and brings people together — no matter the stage. What do you think it means for hip-hop’s future when the genre reaches such unprecedented platforms?

FAQ

• How did Clipse become the first rappers to perform at the Vatican?
  They performed at Pharrell Williams’ Grace For The World concert during the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, making history as the first hip-hop act on that stage.
• What song did Clipse perform at the Vatican?
  They performed ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’ from their 2025 album Let God Sort Em Out.
• Who accompanied Clipse during this historic performance?
  John Legend and the Voices of Fire gospel choir joined them on stage.
• When did Clipse originally form, and what was their journey like?
  Clipse formed in 1994, went on hiatus in 2010, reunited briefly in 2019 and 2022, and officially returned in 2023.
• Where can fans see Clipse perform in late 2025?
  They have scheduled shows across the U.S. and Europe, including festivals like ONE Musicfest and Dia De Los Deftones, plus venues in Paris, London, and Manchester.

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