Months before Summer Jam arrives, rap fans are already mulling over the possible instances that are bound to happen. Yesterday marked the 21st annual concert hosted by Hot 97 and had plenty of great moments to offer. The inescapable was the fact that 50 Cent was performing for the first time since 2004, where he was banned after him and his crew engaged some old nemeses. 50 also shared the stage with Nas (who was a former enemy), and brought together his former running mates G-Unit that had everybody going crazy.

It wasn’t all the 50 show, either. Nas telling the crowd how grateful he was to be here after performing in Summer Jam 1994 was heartfelt. YMCMB, which is quickly becoming the most dominant rap label today, started things off with a solo set by Nicki Minaj, and then brought out everyone from Young Thug to Lil Wayne. To close out the night, DJ Mustard’s set with special guests showed the West Coast is alive and well in the rap game.

Did you miss any of Summer Jam? We got you. Here are the 14 best moments of Summer Jam 2014.—Eric Diep, Dan Rys, Emmanuel C.M. & Miranda Johnson

Troy Ave Brings Out T.I. During His Summer Jam Debut

Troy Ave courted some controversy when he ran a video on the Summer Jam stage calling out "wack rappers" and specifically targeted Trinidad Jame$. But the energy Troy brought to his early evening set made that moment just a footnote; it was more significant that he brought out the Kang Of The South, T.I., on stage to rock with him that stood out in the end. Tip didn't perform—he mostly partied and danced along with the BSB Crew—but his presence hinted strongly that the rumored collaboration between the two could be fire as well.—DR

Action Bronson Performs In The Crowd

Action Bronson’s live shows are an adventure. You just never know what you are going to get from him. Whether it’s throwing out a pair of adidas Mutombos or throwing someone off stage, Bronson is always entertaining. So when he jumped in the crowd to perform his final song, “Strictly 4 My Jeeps, it reaffirms the Queens native’s love for crowd interaction and was one of the best feel good moments of the day.—E.C.M.

Wiz Khalifa And Uncle Snoop Rock On Stage Together

Trap Wiz was in full effect yesterday afternoon as the Pittsburgh MC went full rock star, hugging the mic, playing up to the crowd, and generally pulling his best Steven Tyler impression on the massive main stage. But it was when he brought out Snoop Dogg to the ever-classic opening strains of "The Next Episode" that the performance really reached up into the clouds. Uncle Snoop and Young Khalifa have a fantastic connection together, and when they performed the massive arena-smash "Young, Wild And Free," it didn't feel like the singalong ever would—or should—end.—DR

The Roots Show Love To Legendary New York Groups

The Roots were at Summer Jam celebrating a 20th anniversary of some sort—their first album came out in 1993, and their first major label LP in 1995, so it's somewhere in the middle there—but they did it in a very Roots-ian style, nodding repeatedly to New York's storied past. Throughout their set, the hardest working band in show business brought out a reunited LOX, M.O.P., and Dres from Black Sheep, putting the emphasis squarely on the classic NYC sound. They also tossed in a performance of Kool And The Gang's "Jungle Boogie" for good measure.—DR

Nas, 50 Cent Squash Beef And Represent For Queens

In the midst of his year long celebration of the 20th anniversary of his debut LP, Illmatic, Nas certainly had to grace the Summer Jam stage last night, bringing out Meek Mill and French Montana to do so. Also using the opportunity to squash a past beef, Nas brought out fellow Queens MC 50 Cent. With Action Bronson, Nas, 50 Cent, and Nicki Minaj all having sets at the show last night, that makes a total of four Queens bred rappers out of the 11 acts.—MJ

50 Cent Reunites G-Unit, Fight Occurs On The Side Stage

What could have been one of the best moments in Summer Jam history turned into chaos. 50 Cent took the stage and had a little surprise for the audience. Throughout his press tour for his upcoming album Animal Ambition, Fif has spoke candidly about his former G-Unit crew members. However, the Queens native proceeded to bring out Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck to perform alongside him and their differences looked to be solved. As fans rejoiced when G-Unit was reunited, a fight broke out on stage during Fabolous’ guest performance. Slow from Slowbucks was reportedly robbed for his chain and it was worn by 50 Cent during his performance. If you weren't there to witness it, here's our full story on the scuffle.—E.C.M.

summer jam 2014 photos
Photo By: Lauren Gesswein
loading...

50 Cent's Performance Was Cut Short By Turning Off His Mic

50 Cent looked great on the main stage. But with Nas and 50 squashed a former feud, G-Unit reunion, him and Fabolous rocking out, a scuffle involving a rapper from Slow Bucks, and his solo set, time wasn’t the essence for him. From our vantage point, someone on the Hot 97 staff was telling 50 that his time was up. In typical 50 fashion, he asked the crowd who they came to see and got a few extra minutes. Even with his pull, 50’s mic still got cut off and he walked off the stage without saying anything more. Is this a calmer 50 we are seeing now?—ED

50 Cent And Fabolous Premiere "Cuffin' Season (Remix)"

Of the many unexpected things 50 Cent unveiled last night at Summer Jam, following the G-Unit reunion, 50 revealed his new collaboration with Fabolous. Playing Fab's Soul Tape 3 cut "Cuffin Season," 50 Cent and Fabolous managed to slip in a remix that no one saw it coming.—MJ

YMCMB's Dominance With Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne And Drake

YMCMB’s headlining performance was highly anticipated for one certain female rapper: Nicki Minaj. Dressed in a tightly fitted dress and heels, the Queens rapper was not afraid to speak her mind about whack guys holding her Barbz back. She ran through her new single “Pills N Potions,” as well as brought out a slew of guests to prove she’s really running the rap game right now. After faking out the crowd with a shocking Drake diss, Nicki took it to new levels with her rhyming buddies Drizzy and Lil Wayne to wrap up her set. YMCMB was definitely in the building.—ED

summer jam 2014 photos
Photo By: Lauren Gesswein
loading...

Chicago's Lil Herb Gets A Huge Co-Sign From Nicki Minaj

Since the release of his first mixtape Welcome To Fazoland, Herb has been on a winning streak. His hard work paid off when Herb was chosen by Nicki Minaj to be on her new song “Chi-Raq” thus introducing the world to Herbo and his signature rapid-fire flow. During Nicki’s performance, she brought out the Chicago native to perform “Chi-Raq” alongside her in front of 50,000-plus attendees, once again cosigning G Herbo and immediately makes him one of the hottest young free agents in hip-hop.—E.C.M.

Chris Brown's "Loyal" Was Played Three Times, #FreeCB

Although Breezy was locked up at the time, his presence was surely felt yesterday. His current hit "Loyal" was performed at total of 3 times during the annual show with Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, & Sevyn Streeter each serving of a rendition of the hit. Trey Songz even went as far as to start up a #FreeCB chant, which seems to have worked as Chris Brown was freed from a Los Angeles Country jail early Monday.—MJ

DJ Mustard Closes Out Summer Jam With YG, Kid Ink, Jeezy And More

With a few dedicated fans wanting to see the entire show, DJ Mustard put on for the West. He held it down with Kid Ink, YG, A$AP Ferg, Ty Dolla $ign and many more. Even the Snowman himself Jeezy came out to represent. Hits on top of hits.—ED

summer jam 2014 photos
Photo By: Lauren Gesswein
loading...

No Rain!

Every year during Summer Jam it rains. It’s almost a tradition. Last year fans had to watch the latter half of Summer Jam XX while it poured. However for Summer Jam 2014, there wasn’t a rain cloud in sight and the weather was absolutely perfect.—MJ

More From XXL