I do this for Hip Hop!
VH1 Hip Hop Honors celebrates 25 years
of Def Jam
I have yet to be officially invited to
the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. Yes, I know many of you are sitting there with
your mouths open and a cloud with a question mark over your heads wondering
how such an incredible oversight like this could ever happen, 5 years
in a row. Although I say that with a pompous amount of sarcasm I still
believe that EPMD is synonymous with Hip Hop- am I alone on this? Yet
the two times we’ve been included in this occasion, which is supposed
to honor those who have made great contributions to Hip Hop culture,
it has been at the request of other artists or by some strange turn
of events. This year, I spoke with a VH1 producer from the show who
told me that he “found a spot for me.” At the time, this remark
didn’t bother me that much because it was buffered with the rundown
of all the great people involved and a rumor that I had said I didn’t
want to be a part of the festivities. Of course no executives contacted
me directly to establish if this were true or not- so they took me off
the original schedule because of this so-called “rumor” they heard.
But that’s beside the point. I did this for Def Jam. I did this for
Hip Hop.
The show was set off with a non- Def
Jam artist, Eminem who did an amazing job performing LL Cool J’s
“Rock the Bells.” He set the bar for the performance levels
for the night. Most of us were able to keep up but unfortunately the
energy wavered as the evening progressed. I heard Jay was overseas and
L was in Cali taping NCIS so I understand they had prior obligations
but it would’ve been hot if they made it. All the executives from
Lyor Cohen to Rick Rubin to Russell Simmons were in attendance.
Def Jam was instrumental in both L and Jay’s careers so a celebration
to their 25 years of success didn’t feel right without them.
I’m still waiting for the day when
EPMD gets their respect! LOL! Yes, folks I know my internet acronyms.
Here’s my recap below
MVP: Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons
sitting Indian style reminiscing over the heydays of Def Jam
Best Performance:
Ludacris “Throw them Bowz”
Best Song Choice:
Redman and Method Man “Tha Rockwilder”
Best Rendition/Likeness:
Eminem “Rock the Bells”
Best Reunion: DMX and Ja Rule
peace-ing up before the night was through
WTF? of the Night:
Method Man and Mary J. Blige performed “All I Need”- one of Def
Jam’s biggest records and arguable one of the most popular Hip Hop
songs of all time. Shockingly after their set, the crowd reaction was
strangely delayed leaving an awkward silence with a few delayed claps
bellowing through the theater. I could actually hear people in the audience
asking “yo, where’s Jay-Z at?” and I was backstage!
Should’ve Beens:
Besides the obvious LL Cool J and Jay-Z not being there- the Beastie
Boys were missing, Slick Rick, 3rd Bass, Nice & Smooth,
Jadakiss…
Should’ve Dones: DMX should
have performed “What’s My Name?” Ja Rule should have started with
“Holla” and went into “Always On Time.” Scarface should’ve
rocked the crowd with “My Minds Playing Tricks on Me.” EPMD should
have had more time…LMAO
Signing off,
Green Eyed Bandit
Russell and Rick Chop It Up: Indian Style.
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