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