Hip Hop Honors!

Hip Hop today is inescapable, the type of hip hop artists range from hard core lyricists to party starters to voices of political influence. Hip hop artists have dabbled in all types of genres, and last night all that hip hop encompasses was celebrated on VH1’s Hip Hop Honors. Unlike some of the other unflattering Hip Hop award shows, VH1 was able to produce what seemed more like a party then a posse battleground.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Def Jam, the show was packed full of clips from the labels founders, current execs, and admires. And the hilarious host, Tracey Morgan as “Scoopy Giles”, filtered in with skits about his Def Jam history.

Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons

The kings of the night, Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, sat among other multi-millionaire Hip Hop hierarchy as they watched artists such as Ja Rule, Ashaunti (who’s hair was r i d i c u l o u s), Method Man and Red Man, Rick Ross (who dawned a Fila suit…with no shirt), Ludacris, and plenty of other artists to fill up the two hour time slot. Some of my favorite moments were when Fabolous and Wale paid homage to Jay-z and Kanye West and covered their songs. No one has as much swag (I didn't want to say it) as Jay-z than Fabolous, and I think Wale's energy matched Kanye's to a T.

Wale

Recycled dancers livened up the stage, along with a live band that added another level of energy to the performances. Although it was not as entertaining as –lets say, the VMA’s – it was nice to see all the successful people in this beloved industry celebrating a milestone in Def Jams history.

-Doni W.