Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of legendary hip hop label, Def Jam Records, 'VH1' Hip Hop Honors' decided to honor the prestigious company in supreme style. This year's ceremony, taped at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last night, demonstrated how Def Jam Records and its architects Bill Stephney, Chris Lighty, Julie Greenwald, Kevin Liles, L.A. Reid, Lyor Cohen, Michael Kyser, Rick Rubin, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Russell Simmons established one of the most groundbreaking hip hop labels to date.
Comedian-actor Tracy Morgan hosted the show, which included appearances by Anthony Anderson, Eve, Jimmy Fallon, Oran "Juice" Jones, Brett Ratner and Chris Rock.
The 6th annual event found various Def Jam artists (past and present), reuniting and honoring some of their most memorable Def Jam hits. Queen of Hop Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and platinum-selling Wu Tang Clan rapper Method Man (pictured) joined forces to perform their Grammy Award winning hit 'I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By.'
Other highlights below.
2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Eve attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Backstage And Audience Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58462804), contact FilmMagic.com
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com
Musician Kid Rock attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Backstage And Audience Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58462781), contact FilmMagic.com
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com
Kid Rock attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors after party to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation at One Hanson Place on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - After Party To Benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation One Hanson Place New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Steven A Henry/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58468450), contact FilmMagic.com
Steven A Henry/FilmMagic.com
Flavor Flav attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors after party to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation at One Hanson Place on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - After Party To Benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation One Hanson Place New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Steven A Henry/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58468161), contact FilmMagic.com
Steven A Henry/FilmMagic.com
Rapper Flava Flav attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors after party to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation at One Hanson Place on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - After Party To Benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation - Arrivals One Hanson Place New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage.com To license this image (16974709), contact WireImage.com
Jemal Countess/WireImage.com
Tracy Morgan attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Red Carpet Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com To license this image (16973638), contact WireImage.com
Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Kid Rock attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Red Carpet Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com To license this image (16973704), contact WireImage.com
Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Ashanti attends the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Red Carpet Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com To license this image (16973655), contact WireImage.com
Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Tracy Morgan on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Show Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com To license this image (16974176), contact WireImage.com
Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Tracy Morgan on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in New York City. 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors - Show Brooklyn Academy of Music New York, NY United States September 23, 2009 Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com To license this image (16974175), contact WireImage.com
Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Rapper-turned-actress Eve introduced Murder Inc.'s former dynamic duo Ja Rule and Ashanti as they performed their chart-topping hits 'Down for You' and 'Always On Time.' Prior to taking the stage, Ja tweeted about the irony of appearing at the event alongside two of his former rivals, Eminem and DMX.
"Hip hop honors tomorrow me Eminem and DMX all in the same building lmfao this should be fun can't wait lol!!!," the Queens, NY-bred rapper (born Jeffrey Atkins) posted via Twitter.
Eminem 'rocked' the show's opener with DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Roots by performing LL Cool J's classic 'Rock the Bells.' DMX joined forces with Gym Class Heroes for his hit single 'Party Up.'
Other performers included, EPMD, Fabolous, Foxy Brown, DJ Jaycee, Ghostface, Kid Rock, KRS One, Ludacris, DJ Nonstop, Onyx, Public Enemy, Redman, Rick Ross, Scarface, Trey Songz, and Warren G among others.
The 6th Annual 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' will premiere on Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
