VH1’s Hip Hop Honors did things a bit differently than in years past for their sixth annual show, which went down last night (September 23) in Brooklyn. Rather than paying homage to some of hip hop’s greatest acts, as has been done in years past, the show recognized the long and influential history of one of music’s most important labels, Def Jam.
Many current and former artists on the label’s roster, as well as others simply wishing to show love, were on hand for the show which was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The night kicked off with Eminem and Black Thought channeling LL Cool J’s “Rock the Bells.” Next, two of the greatest groups of all time were honored, as Public Enemy performed “Rebel Without a Pause” with help from a few friends, and Wale, KRS-One, and Travis McCoy rocked to Beastie Boys hit “No Sleep till Brooklyn.”
Neither LL nor the Beastie Boys were in the house to witness the tributes, but each was shown in previously recorded video segments that recalled Def Jam related stories and aired in between performances. Founders Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, former executive Lyor Cohen, and Kevin Liles—all of whom were in attendance—as well as many others including LA Reid, Bill Adler and Slick Rick, also shared memories in clips.
The night was filled with Def Jam hits and reunions, from Ja Rule and Ashanti collaborating on “Down 4 U” and “Always on Time,” to Onyx’s “Slam,” and Method Man and Mary J. Blige starting “You’re All I Need,” before hugging and mysteriously walking off stage before Mary did her verse. Rick Ross performed his hit “Hustlin’,” while DMX did the same with “Party Up,” and Warren G and Trey Songz teamed up for a memorable rendition of “Regulate.”
After Ludacris and Scarface came out together and got the crowd hype to “Guess Who’s Back” and “Southern Hospitality,” respectively, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Roots brought the evening home with a Def Jam medley. Assisted by Kid Rock, EPMD, Fabolous, Foxy Brown, Ghostface, Chrisette Michelle and Wale, the night came to a close with versions of “I’ll Be,” “Back Like That,” and “Touch the Sky,” among others.
The tribute will air for all to see at 9 p.m. on October 13. -Adam Fleishcer
Photos courtesy of Jesse Gissen. Click on image to enlarge
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September 24th, 2009
at 11:14 am
EmCDL says:
Ok WTF is up with Foxy Brown’s face??? Sounds like it was a good show nonetheless.
J7M!
Reply
October 1st, 2009
at 7:30 pm
Larry Brite says:
WORD! lol =(
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 11:17 am
Pierzy says:
Foxy, what happened? She looks like a Japanese anime character. Damn.
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 11:18 am
Ayre says:
Foxy looks like a Muppet
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 11:21 am
*BLOCK* says:
BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!
ITS THERE THANG…BUT I AINT WIT THE NERD GLASSES…FOXY DO LOOK LIKE A RA-TARD (THE HANGOVER) WHO IS THAT IN THE PIC ABOVE LUDA…I SEE OL BOY IN THE BACKGROUND…CANT THINK OF HIS NAME FOR ISH THOUGH
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:00 pm
SOUTHSIDE A-TOWN says:
^^i believe thats Kevin Liles.
damn, aint seen Free in forever.
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:05 pm
P. Harris says:
That’s Mad Skillz behind Kevin Liles in the pic…
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 2:10 pm
*BLOCK* says:
BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!
YEA MAD SKILLZ…COULDN’T THINK OF HIS NAME FOR NOTHING…I DIDN’T LISTEN TO HIM A WHOLE LOT BUT I KNEW THE FACE..AND YEA OL KEVIN LILES…IT ALMOST LOOKED LIKE RUSSEL WIT A NEW LOOK OR SOMETHING
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September 24th, 2009
at 12:05 pm
P. Harris says:
That’s Mad Skillz in the background…
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 11:47 am
sb says:
damn its a shame that LL and the Beastie Boyz weren’t there..They were a huge part of the def jam history. They put def jam on the map.i hope tla rock was there..he has the very first record on def jam “it’s yours”.
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:03 pm
P. Harris says:
Foxy??? Dayum… LOL…
SMH…
Ill Na Na
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:04 pm
Bobo D says:
Is Foxy cock-eyed? (Pun intended)
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:16 pm
GIFT says:
Sounds like a helluva night, but wtf is up w/luda’s glasses. Foxy face was fucked up, but the dress looked good on her lmao!!!!
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:23 pm
Worley says:
Glad to see X lookin’ healthy with a new fine b*tch. His ex wife looks like an alien.
@SOUTHSIDE A-TOWN: You know Ghost gonna put that Boom Boom Mancini on Free (if he didn’t already). Ol’ girl got a fatteeeeee.
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 12:25 pm
abdulnasir says:
WTF happened to Foxy? Every1 seems grwon up, but home girl!
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 1:04 pm
XXLmag.com - » DMX Speaks on Reuniting With Swizz Beatz [With Exclusive Video] says:
[...] As previously reported VH1 did a retrospective of Def Jam’s storied 25 years in the rap business during yesterday’s (September 23) 6th annual Hip Hop Honors in Brooklyn. And X has nothing but good things to say about former label head Russell Simmons. “Russell’s a good brother,” he said. “[He] calls every once in a while to check on me make sure I’m all right. I appreciate everything he’s done. Russ I love you baby.” [...]
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 1:38 pm
BeerGangsta says:
Thank you Def Jam for 25 years of Music. Def Jam started Rap Music. If it was not for Def Jam. Ya’ll would be listen to all that R&B shit. Back then it was Rolling with Rush. They brought the best Artist out from all Coasts. No one can do it better.
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 2:12 pm
won1 says:
luda & jay-z seem persistent in channeling up Urkel for some reason
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 2:39 pm
ChiTown says:
why does it seem like almost everybody is cock eyed in these damn pictures or is it just me lol
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 6:01 pm
$ykotic/Don McCaine says:
Word!!!
Why the F*** is everybody cock-eyed in these flicks???
Pass me some of that kush! HA!
NO ONE EVER SPEAKS ABOUT CHUCK D BEING A G.O.A.T.
p.s. When they do tributes like this(Def Jam), it means they ain’t gonna be around much longer. Peep game.
Reply
September 24th, 2009
at 8:39 pm
Pierzy says:
For political/activism rhymes, Chuck D is my #1 pick. Even over The Blastmaster.
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September 24th, 2009
at 2:42 pm
ChiTown says:
oh and btw it looks like Foxy Brown done lost a fight with the eye doctor…I told that bitch to look straight in the visual Field Machine but bitch aint listen…poor lil tink tink
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September 24th, 2009
at 2:55 pm
DV8 says:
Yo WTF happened to Foxy’s face? If thats just make-up she should fire her make up person. That shit looks bugged out.
Any way I miss DefJam. It hasnt been the same since Lyor and Kevin left.
Reply
September 25th, 2009
at 3:50 pm
XXLmag.com - » KRS-One: “Def Jam Single-Handedly Destroyed Hip-Hop” [With Exclusive Video] says:
[...] As previously reported KRS joined D.C. up-and-comer Wale and Travis McCoy of the Gym Class Heroes for a rendition of the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep til Brooklyn” during Wednesday night’s taping. The 6th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors airs at 9 p.m on October 13. –Jesse Gissen with additional reporting by Adam Fleischer [...]
Reply
September 30th, 2009
at 2:27 pm
XXLmag.com - » DMX Boxing Match “All In Good Fun,” Says Rep says:
[...] was also on hand at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors celebrating Def Jam’s 25th Anniversary last Wednesday. X performed his hit, “Party Up (Up in [...]
Reply
September 30th, 2009
at 5:02 pm
THE NOTORIOUS C.O.R.E.Y says:
MUFUCKAS NEED TO QUIT HATIN!!! FOXY LOOKS GOOD!!!!!!
Reply
October 15th, 2009
at 1:16 pm
XXLmag.com - » 50 Cent Makes VH1 History says:
[...] VH1 Hip Hop Honors premiered directly after the G-Uni leader’s Behind the Music. The ceremony, which marked the 25th anniversary of Def Jam Recordings, was also one for the books. It had the highest ratings of the franchise’s six-year history. [...]
Reply
November 4th, 2009
at 2:24 pm
XXLmag.com - » Foxy Brown Jabs Lil’ Kim in New Song says:
[...] Foxy Brown recently appeared on VH1’s Hip Hop Honors gala in celebration of Def Jam’s 25th Anniversary. -Brooklyne Gipson [...]
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