Jermaine Dupri, Master P and More Are Saluted as Game-Changers at 2017 VH1 ‘Hip Hop Honors’
On Monday night (Sept. 18), the folks at VH1 aired the 2017 Hip Hop Honors: The ’90s Game Changers, and, for one evening, the spirit of the 1990s materialized in all of its colorfully transformative glory.
As its' title implies, the event paid homage to virtually all of the faces and names that shaped the sights and sounds of hip-hop as it put an incalculable distance between its chart-topping, culturally ubiquitous ’90s iteration and its humble 1973 beginnings. Of course, the show began with an electrifying performance from Missy Elliott, who took the stage for a live rendition of her 1999 hit, "She's a Bitch." Hosted by Girls Trip actress Regina Hall and deejayed by the legendary DJ Clue, the night only increased in dopeness as it continued.
During the night, homegrown Dirty South legends Jermaine Dupri and Master P were honored as ’90s Game Changers for founding and elevating their record labels, So So Def and No Limit Records, respectively. From there, present-day Atlanta boss T.I. stepped to the stage to introduce fellow Southern tastemakers like Master P, Romeo Miller, Silkk the Shocker, Trick Daddy and Trina to perform. Trick and Trina performed "Nann Nigga," while Romeo, Silkk and, of course, Master P himself performed tracks like "Make 'Em Say Uhh."
As should have been predicted, the dope live performances only continued. Warren G hit the stage with Ty Dolla $ign, who acted as an admirable "Regulate" hook man in place of the late, great Nate Dogg. For her part, Tiny commanded the stage with the rest of her Xscape groupmates to perform their hit, "Just Kickin' It." In the same time frame, Fat Joe and Remy Ma paid tribute to their fallen comrade Big Pun by peforming his hit single, "Still Not a Playa."
In yet another epic moment, Pharrell stepped to the stage to make a few comments about the state of the U.S. and the world at large before introducing the great Hype Williams, who in turn played a montage of all his greatest music videos. Of course, Hype was also named a VH1 Game Changer.
One of the more heartwarming moments of the night arrived when Fabolous, Lil Kim and Havoc performed a live rendition of Mobb Deep's "Quiet Storm (Remix)" with an image of the late, great Prodigy projected onto a screen behind them. It was a touching moment for a hip-hop community still mourning the loss of the Queens legend.
Toward the very end of the event, Mariah Carey was honored as a Game Changer for her role in merging the pop and R&B with hip-hop by regularly collaborating with everyone from Ol' Dirty Bastard to Cam'ron to Jermaine Dupri, The Lox, Ma$e and Da Brat. Just before being honored, she graced the stage along with Dupri to perform her famous "Honey (Remix)."
Check out videos and photos from the epic event for yourself below.
See Photos of Jermaine Dupri, Master P and More at the 2017 VH1 Hip Hop Honors