Hip Hop Luminaries Shined and Rhymed at the Third Annual 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors'
Tributes to This Year's Honorees Ice Cube, Wu-Tang Clan, MC Lyte, Rakim,
Afrika Bambaataa, Russell Simmons, Beastie Boys and Eazy E Set the Stage
Ablaze
Hosted by Ice T, the 3rd Annual 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' Premieres Tuesday,
October 17 at 9 PM*
Catch Red Carpet Interviews Exclusively on VSPOT at VH1.Com Beginning at
6PM On Tuesday, October 17
Performance 'Sneak Peeks' From 'Hip Hop Honors' Available on VSPOT Starting
Thursday, October 12
NEW YORK, Oct. 16 -- VH1 brought down the house at the
third annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," as rap royalty came together for one
legendary night to honor the prodigies that pioneered hip hop and
transformed the genre into a true cultural phenomenon.
Taped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and hosted by last
year's honoree Ice T, the music and influence of each of the honorees was
recognized through performances by classic artists in collaboration with
today's hottest new talent. This year, "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" paid tribute to
Ice Cube, Wu-Tang Clan, Afrika Bambaataa, Russell Simmons, MC Lyte, Rakim,
Beastie Boys and Eazy E.
The show got off to a "beastly" start when Diddy, Fabolous and Q-Tip
took to the stage in full old-school regalia rocking Adidas track suits to
pay homage to the Beastie Boys with "Hold It Now, Hit it" and "Paul
Revere." Then, Beastie Boys proved that all great things come in three's
with a performance of their hit "So What'cha Want" leaving the crowd
screaming for more.
Actress Regina King who introduced the next honoree of the night -- MC
Lyte -- proved that women are a force to be reckoned with in the hip hop
game when she rapped one of MC Lyte's most memorable verses from "10 %
Dis."
Following King's impromptu performance, Lil Kim, for the first time in
more than a year, bound on stage stylin' a colorful, designer track suit
with "one leg up" and blinged out doorknocker earrings. She was joined by
Remy Ma and Da Brat for a tribute to MC Lyte with a medley of "Cha Cha
Cha," "Kickin' 4 Brooklyn" and "Lyte as a Rock." MC Lyte then charged the
audience with her no-nonsense demeanor and brigade of dancers performing
"Paper Thin" and "Ruffneck."
Talib Kweli was joined by Black Thought in honoring one of the greatest
and most influential rappers in hip hop history, Rakim, with "Paid in
Full." Rakim fired up the crowd with a mind-blowing performance of his hit
song "I Ain't No Joke." Following his performance, Xzibit, WC and Lil Jon
showed some west coast love and exploded onto the stage to honor Ice Cube
with a medley of "It Was A Good Day" and "Why We Thugs." After which, Ice
Cube gave an electrifying performance of his new song, "Go To Church,"
leaving the audience entranced with the gospel of hip hop.
Diddy, Def Poetry Jam's Black Ice, DJ Lovebug Starkski and DJ Kid
Capri, gave a well-deserved tribute to one-man conglomerate, Russell
Simmons, noting his contributions to the industry and all aspects of the
culture. Like father like son, Lil Eazy-E, along with protegees Young Jeezy
and Bonethugs-N-Harmony honored his father, the late Eazy E with a medley
of "Crossroads," "We Want Eazy" and "Boyz-N-The-Hood."
Erykah Badu worked the crowd into a frenzy when she appeared in full
African garb, to perform "Zulu War Chant" and "One Nation Under a Grove"
alongside Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Fat Joe and Q Tip in a tribute to
Afrika Bambaataa. Following this prodigious performance, Emmy Award winner
Forest Whitaker graced the stage to introduce the final honoree of the
night -- Wu-Tang Clan. The Wu Tang Clan's Method Man, RZA, GZA, Raekwon,
Inspectah Deck, U God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna all came together to sing
"C.R.E.A.M." and "Triumph," closing the show and igniting the hip hop spark
in all of us.
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" Pre-show on VSPOT
For the first time in VH1's history, pre-show event footage will be
seen exclusively on VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel. Hosted by former "VH1
Hip Hop Honors" honorees Salt, Pepa and Spinderella, red carpet interviews
and backstage footage will be available on VSPOT at http://hiphop.vh1.com
beginning at 6PM ET on October 17.
Catch select show performances on VSPOT before they air on October 17.
Beginning Thursday, October 12, VSPOT will "sneak" one performance from the
show's taping each day. Additional event-related video on VSPOT's dedicated
hip hop channel showcases on-demand content including an exclusive
performance by Ice Cube that will not be seen during the on-air broadcast
and up to 10 performances from the main show. Exclusive Q&A interview
segments with this year's honorees, video playlists, and footage from
VH1.com's "Freestyle 59" contest round out the programming on VSPOT. Select
video footage from "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" will also be available on VH1
Mobile following the on-air broadcast.
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" past honorees include Run DMC, Sugarhill Gang,
KRS-One, DJ Kool Herc, DJ Hollywood, Public Enemy, Rock Steady Crew, Tupac
Shakur, The Graffiti Movement, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Ice T, Notorious
B.I.G., Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Salt -N- Pepa, and the film
Boyz N The Hood.
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" is sponsored by T-Mobile, USA, Chevrolet, Taco
Bell(R) Corp, Jergens(R) Shea Butter and Warner Bros. Pictures: Blood
Diamond.
This year's "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" will be executive produced by Lee
Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for Blacjac Entertainment. Co-executive
producers are Nelson George and Fab 5 Freddy. Louis J. Horvitz will direct.
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter
to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content
and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 88 million households
in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic
and VH1 Soul. Connect with VH1 at http://www.VH1.com.
*all times ET/PT
SOURCE VH1
http://hiphop.vh1.com
http://www.VH1.com
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