Erick Sermon’s Blog: The VH1 Hip-Hop Honors!

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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