Eminem performs at the VH1's "Hip Hop Honors"
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

BROOKLYN, New York — Usually when hip-hop heads new and old gather to celebrate someone being recognized as a "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" inductee, it's a pioneering act like LL Cool J, Rakim or Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

However, on Tuesday night (October 13), during the telecast of the sixth-annual production, the Tracy Morgan-hosted event broke new ground, honoring an entire record label.

And it was only right that the label was Def Jam, the most influential rap imprint in history. The 25-year-old label was founded by Rick Rubin and cultivated by the likes of Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and so many other prominent figures in hip-hop. LL Cool J was the face of the label for so many years, so it was fitting that his music kicked off the event.

	"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" 2009

The Roots started things off with "Rock the Bells," but the Philadelphia band's frontman, Black Thought, wasn't alone. Thought ripped through the first verse before he gave way to a surprise guest: Slim Shady. Eminem has long been a Todd Smith fan, and he didn't disappoint when he got his chance to prove it to the world.

"Now I'm worldwide known/ Whether you like it or not/ My one-man band is Cut Creator/ When he's on the fader/ What's my DJ's name?"

"Cut Creator!" the crowd yelled as they finished the line.

Kid Rock also paid homage to Uncle L with "I'm Bad." The Detroit rocker was decked out in a red Troop tracksuit with matching Kangol bucket hat. Rock also manned the turntables during the night, splitting House DJ duties with Ed Lover.

The second performance of the night was from one of Def Jam's signature groups, Public Enemy. Chuck D immediately captured the crowd's attention with the opening lines of "Rebel Without a Pause": "Yes, the rhythm, the rebel." Chuck still has one of the most recognizable and commanding voices in all of music, not just rap.

Flavor Flav came out wearing a white tuxedo jacket, matching top hat and a black bow tie. PE arguably had the performance of the night with help from the Roots, S1W and the Coup's Boots Riley. The Long Island-bred rap chiefs were just born for the stage and had the entire crowd on their feet.

Another bricklaying squad for the house that Russell and Rick built was, undoubtedly, the Beastie Boys. KRS-One, Wale and the Gym Class Heroes did a rocking rendition of "No Sleep Till Brooklyn." The song was well-received at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where the event was held — marking the first time the show took place outside of Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Travis McCoy, who wore a black T-shirt with the names DJ AM and Roc Raida in the shape of the Run-DMC logo, took on the first verse. The Blastmaster, who is a former HHH honoree himself, took verse two and ended by saying, "Adam, get well soon," referring to Adam Yauch, who is currently battling cancer. Wale finished off the song and later in the night paid tribute to new jack Def Jam artist Kanye West by wearing a backpack and performing "Touch the Sky."

Throughout the night, Simmons and Rubin traded pre-taped memories of their days as '80s music hustlers. Cohen, who has a reputation for being temperamental, also testified about his experiences at the legendary label, even briefly poking fun at his militant demeanor. Former Def Jam executives Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald also shared stories about their time at the House that Russell Built.

When Def Jam alumni Onyx performed their monstrous cut "Slam," it felt like the group had stepped out of a time capsule: They looked almost exactly the same and still had the insane energy that made them famous.

Sticky Fingaz climbed on top of a large speaker toward the side of the stage, forcefully delivering his closing verse — one of the most memorable in Def Jam's catalog. Rather than descend from the speaker after the performance, Sticky just climbed into the balcony seats for his exit.

Other performers included Rick Ross, Fabolous, Foxy Brown, Redman, Method Man, Mary J. Blige, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Chrisette Michele, Warren G, Trey Songz, the reunion of Ashanti and Ja Rule, Ludacris and DMX — many of whom teamed up with the Roots for a show-closing medley of Def Jam hits.

(Check out photos from the "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" red carpet right here!)

Offstage, friends-turned-foes Ja Rule and DMX had their own reunion of sorts. The two came up together through Def Jam and, along with Irv Gotti and Jay-Z, helped breathe new life into the label in the late '90s before the gravel-voiced MCs began dissing each other on records. As X was walking out Ja was returning to his seat, and the pair saw each other, hugged and talked for a few moments.

Chris Rock, Eve, Jazzy Jeff and director Brett Ratner were among the many notable names in attendance.

• 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' 2009
• Luda, Fab, Eve And More Show Up For VH1's 'Hip Hop Honors'

• Eminem
• LL Cool J
• Public Enemy
• Kid Rock

Eminem on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

BROOKLYN, New York — For five years, VH1's "Hip Hop Honors" has paid homage to legendary hip-hop figures, from Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur to Big Daddy Kane. For their sixth show, which taped Wednesday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (and airs on VH1 on October 13), the event's organizers dedicated the entire program to a record label, the trailblazing house for hip-hop and R&B, Def Jam.

It's only right that the first Def Jam artist to be honored was the label's foundation and face for so many years, LL Cool J.

The Roots started it off with "Rock the Bells." Black Thought ripped the first verse of the record, then gave way for a special guest: Eminem. Last year, Slim Shady publicly expressed his love for LL during a phone prank on DJ Tony Touch's Shade 45 radio show.

Spitting the second verse of "Rock the Bells" on Wednesday night, Em sounded almost exactly like the legend who inspired him.

"Now I'm worldwide known/ Whether you like it or not/ My one-man band is Cut Creator.../ When he's on the fader/ What's my DJ's name?"

"Cut Creator!" The crowd yelled.

Later, Kid Rock paid tribute to LL with "I'm Bad." The Kid also DJed during the show, as did Ed Lover.

The second performance was from one of Def Jam's signature groups, Public Enemy. Chuck D was immediately electrifying with the opening words for "Rebel Without a Pause": "Yes, the rhythm, the rebel." Chuck still has one of the most recognizable and commanding voices in all of music, not just rap.

Flavor Flav came out wearing a white tuxedo jacket, matching top hat and a black bow tie. PE arguably had the performance of the night with help from the Roots, S1W and Boots Riley. The Long Island-bred rap chiefs were just born for the stage. The entire crowd was on their feet cheering. After their performance, Flav was seen talking to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in the audience.

Another bricklaying squad for the house that Russell and Rick built was, undoubtedly, the Beastie Boys. KRS-One, Wale and the Gym Class Heroes did a rocking rendition of "No Sleep Till Brooklyn."

Travis McCoy, who wore a black T-shirt with the names "DJ AM" and "Roc Raida" in the shape of the Run-DMC logo, took on the first verse. The Blastmaster, who is a former HHH honoree himself, took verse two and ended by saying, "Adam, get well soon," referring to Adam Yauch, who is currently battling cancer. Wale finished off the song and later paid tribute to Kanye West, wearing a backpack and rapping "Touch the Sky."

When Onyx performed "Slam" it felt like the group had stepped out of a time capsule: They looked almost exactly the same and still had that insane energy that made them famous. During his verse, Sticky Fingaz climbed on top of a large speaker. Rather than climb down when he finished, Stick climbed into the balcony.

Other performers included Rick Ross, Fabolous, Foxy Brown, Redman, Method Man, Mary J. Blige, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Chrissette Michele, Warren G, Trey Songz, the reunion of Ashanti and Ja Rule, Ludacris and DMX — many of whom teamed up with the Roots for a show-closing medley of Def Jam hits.

(Check out photos from the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors red carpet http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/09/23/hip-hop-honors-red-carpet-turns-up-the-volume-with-eve-kid-rock/ and a right here!)

Offstage, Ja Rule and DMX had their own reunion. The two came up together as close friends and later turned to bitter enemies, even dissing each other on records. As X was walking out, Ja was returning to his seat, and the pair saw each other, hugged and talked for a few moments.

At the afterparty right around the corner, Flavor Flav talked and laughed with Kid Rock, while Parrish Smith chilled in his trademark fisherman's hat.

"Hip Hop Honors," hosted by Tracy Morgan, will air October 13 at 9 p.m. ET on VH1.

• Luda, Fab, Eve And More Show Up For VH1's 'Hip Hop Honors'

• Eminem
• LL Cool J
• Kid Rock
• The Roots

Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

LL Cool J, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kiss lead the list of first-time nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2010.

The nominees also include such first-timers as long-running rock act Genesis, reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, early rock band the Hollies and singer/songwriter Laura Nyro. According to a press release from the Rock Hall, the 12-member nominee class has some repeat offenders as well, including disco diva Donna Summer, girl-group icons Darlene Love and the Chantels, 1970s pop superstars ABBA and punk godfathers the Stooges (hoping the eighth time will be the charm).

After last year's ceremony returned to the Cleveland site of the Hall for the first time in 12 years to mark the induction of Metallica, Run-DMC and Jeff Beck, the 25th annual event will take place on March 15, 2010, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. Ballots will be sent out to the 500 Hall of Fame voting committee members soon, with five performer inductees to be announced in January.

To be eligible for the Rock Hall, an act must have released its first single or album 25 years before the nomination.

Funk-punk lifers the Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and released their self-titled debut the next year. Formed around the core of hyperkinetic singer Anthony Kiedis, high-energy bassist Flea, late guitarist Hillel Slovak and former drummer Jack Irons, the band made a name for itself with a spastic combo of funk, punk, hard rock and hip-hop, graduating from an underground fanbase to worldwide stardom and Grammy-winning albums thanks to such landmark tracks as "Give It Away," "Under the Bridge" and "Scar Tissue."

Rapper LL Cool J busted onto the New York scene at the ripe age of 17 with the bombastic 1985 album Radio, which featured the singles "Rock the Bells" and "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and served not just as his debut, but as the first album from the Def Jam record label. The internationally known rapper/actor has since produced a string of hit albums, which include songs that run the gamut from loverman caresses ("I Need Love") to trunk funk ("Going Back to Cali"), bare-knuckle takedowns ("Mama Said Knock You Out") and sexy come-ons ("Doin' It").

One of the best-selling acts in pop history, Swedish quartet ABBA (Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Faltskog) ruled the charts from 1972 to 1982 with a string of titanic disco-pop hits that have spawned a legion of radio staples, cover groups and a hit musical/movie adaptation, "Mamma Mia." Among their best-known songs are "Waterloo," "Mamma Mia," "SOS," "Ring Ring," "Honey, Honey" and "Fernando."

Though known almost as much for their explosive, special-effects-heavy live shows and copious merchandising than their glammy hard-rock hits, Kiss are one of the most beloved rock bands of the 1970s and '80s. With a fierce fanbase, the Kiss Army, the makeup-sporting group has sold nearly 100 million albums worldwide since forming in 1971. Their classics include such fist-pumpers as "Rock and Roll All Night," "Detroit Rock City," "Love Gun" and the disco-tinged "I Was Made for Lovin' You."

One of the most distinctive voices in girl-group history, Darlene Love began her career as a member of the California group the Blossoms in 1962, later working with famed "Wall of Sound" producer Phil Spector and singing backup for such legends as Sam Cooke. Recording for Spector under various group names (the Crystals, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans) as well as her own name, Love scored a series of hits with the songs "He's a Rebel," "He's Sure the Boy I Love," "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry" and "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah."

"The Queen of Disco" Donna Summer earned her title in 1975 with the orgasmic hit "Love to Love You Baby," one of her many iconic collaborations with German producer Giorgio Moroder. Summer pumped out the hits "I Feel Love," "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girl," breaking chart records for her string of #1 albums.

	Rock Hall Of Fame Nominees

After starting out in 1967 as an arty prog-rock band fronted by Peter Gabriel, long-running British rock act Genesis went on to pop superstardom in the 1980s and have sold more than 150 million albums to date. After Gabriel's departure in 1975, the group moved from high-art concept albums to a more radio-friendly sound that spawned a string of 1980s hits such as "Misunderstanding," "Turn It on Again," "No Reply at All," "That's All" and "Invisible Touch," all sung by drummer and leader Phil Collins.

Jimmy Cliff has been one of the most indelible voices in reggae for more than 40 years. Along with the late Bob Marley, Cliff is credited with helping to bring reggae to the masses thanks to his starring role in the 1972 movie "The Harder They Come." Such frequently covered songs as "Trapped," "You Can Get It if You Really Want," "Many Rivers to Cross," "The Harder They Come" and "Sitting in Limbo" have earned him a spot in the genre's pantheon of greats.

Late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro was just 19 when she recorded her debut in 1966, the same year folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary recorded her song, "And When I Die." The fragile singer with an eclectic style that touched on pop, jazz and R&B wrote a string of songs that became hits for other acts, including "Stoned Soul Picnic," "Sweet Blindness," "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Blowin' Away." She also scored her own hit with Carole King's "Up on the Roof."

The Chantels first got together in the late 1950s in the Bronx, scoring their first hit in 1957 with "He's Gone," and following it up with the songs "Maybe" and "Look in My Eyes," serving as a template for later success by girl groups such as the Shirelles and the Supremes. English rock group the Hollies made a name with their crystal-clear three-part harmonies and had a massive string of hits in the early 1960s with the songs "Look Through Any Window," "Bus Stop," "If I Needed Someone," "Stop! Stop! Stop!" and "On a Carousel" before the departure of group co-founder Graham Nash in 1968.

Considered the godfathers of punk rock, the Stooges formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, fronted by rock-and-roll madman Iggy Pop, who put the group on the map with his outrageous stage antics, which included smearing himself with peanut butter and rolling on broken glass. Their iconic songs include "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "No Fun" and "T.V. Eye."

• LL Cool J, Chili Peppers And More Rock Hall Of Fame Nominees

• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• LL Cool J
• Kiss

LL Cool J
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

Iced-out glove on a Bentley wheel? Picture Michael Jackson rolling. LL Cool J raps from the perspective of the King of Pop on a new freestyle that came out Monday called "Billie Jean Dream (Michael Jackson Tribute)." Giving new meaning to the term ghostwriter, one of rap's all-time greatest MCs tells listeners at the end of the record that the late singer gave him inspiration while he slept.

"The crazy thing is, I had a dream. Michael Jackson wrote that for me in a dream. That's crazy, right? I had a dream, and homeboy wrote it for me in a dream. I saw it on a paper. I woke up and just jotted it all down on paper. Michael Jackson, that's for you, baby. I love you."

In the verse, Cool J raps over Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" beat.

"Number one in the world, imagine how it feels to hit up Sony for a billion on a deal," the Queens legend rhymes. "Buy out the Beatles, tell Paul to chill / Too live to talk, y'all read it in my will/... There's one King of Pop, nothing else poppin' off, comparing him to me, oh, please knock it off/ All of y'all emanating from one source/ Try to imitate it, but you can't pull it off.

"Hold my umbrella, give me some support," LL adds. "While I dance on the roof of the truck after court/ Can't pull me down, I don't know what y'all thought."

In addition to releasing the track, the rapper announced a Michael Jackson tribute contest on his Web site, Boomdizzle.com. Fans are encouraged to write their own MJ tribute songs, remix classic Jackson tracks or create music videos, and the winners will be promoted on the site.

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

• LL Cool J
• Michael Jackson

Janet Jackson
Photo: John Medina/ WireImage

Janet Jackson has announced that she won't be rescheduling seven tour stops she was forced to postpone last month due to migraine-associated vertigo.

According to The Associated Press, the 42-year-old singer is not choreographing any of the makeup dates for the seven Rock Witchu Tour dates she'd canceled, because of "conflicts in the singer's schedule," a statement released by tour organizer Live Nation claims.

Jackson first fell ill during sound check for a September 29 show in Montreal and ended up postponing shows in Philadelphia; Boston; Greensboro, North Carolina; Atlanta; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Uncasville, Connecticut; Verona, New York; and New York City. She did reschedule the shows in Atlanta and New York.

(Read reviews of Janet's shows in Los Angeles and New York in the MTV Newsroom.)

At first, the singer's publicists would not reveal details about Jackson's illness, saying only that the onset of the malaise was sudden. Jackson was hospitalized briefly because of her condition, the symptoms of which include dizziness and imbalance.

Jackson's first tour in seven years has been a troubled affair, to say the least. After postponing several shows, opening act LL Cool J announced that he would be dropping off the bill due to unspecified "scheduling conflicts."

It's been a rough year for Jackson, who recently parted ways Island Def Jam Records after just 14 months with the label. Back in April, while promoting her latest album, Discipline, Jackson missed an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" due to bronchitis.

• Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour Hits Madison Square Garden

• Janet Jackson
• LL Cool J

LL Cool J
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

At this point, you have to think Janet Jackson just wants a do-over. After canceling a string of dates earlier this month due to migraine-associated vertigo, Jackson's troubled Rock Witchu Tour was dealt another setback on Monday, when a spokesperson for opening act LL Cool J announced that the veteran rapper has dropped off the bill due to unspecified "scheduling conflicts."

A spokesperson for LL could not be reached for comment at press time.

Even before LL announced his departure, the first tour in seven years by Jackson was a troubled affair. The 42-year-old singer canceled nine shows earlier this month due to what was initially an unspecified illness. Jackson first fell ill during soundcheck for a September 29 show in Montreal and ended up postponing shows in Philadelphia; Boston; Greensboro, North Carolina; Atlanta; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Uncasville, Connecticut; Verona, New York; and New York City. An initial attempt to reboot the tour in Connecticut on October 11 was scotched when her doctors ordered her to get more rest.

At press time, a spokesperson for Jackson could not be reached for information on who will fill in for Cool J on the tour, but the AP reported that the singer is expected to announce additional dates soon.

• LL Cool J
• Janet Jackson

Eminem attends "The Way I Am" book-release party
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Guess who's back?

Some four years after the release of his last full studio album, 2004's Encore, Eminem confirmed Wednesday night that his new LP will be called Relapse. Em made the announcement during a launch party for his new autobiography, "The Way I Am," and previewed a track from the effort, titled "I'm Having a Relapse," which kicks off with the familiar lyric "Guess who's back?," before he launches into his trademark flow.

While rumors have suggested the disc would be dubbed King Mathers, among other titles, the reclusive Eminem put those rumors to rest Wednesday in an interview with Angea Yee from the rapper's Sirius Satellite channel, Shade 45.

"There are a lot of fake album titles floating out there — a lot of bullsh-- titles," he told Yee. "The real title of my album that's coming out is called Relapse."

Various media reports suggest the title may actually be R3LAPSE, but Eminem has not yet confirmed the spelling of the disc's name. Some reports suggest that the album will be released after 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct hits stores December 9; Eminem, recently chosen by the readers of Vibe as the best rapper alive, will be making a guest appearance on that effort.

While no release date for the album has been announced, 50 Cent and members of G-Unit have said it's coming soon. 50, who was on hand for the event, referred to the release of his forthcoming album, Before I Self Destruct, then Relapse; and then, presumably in 2009, Dr. Dre's oft-delayed Detox as a "three-headed monster," and said, "It's a story actually ...Before I Self Destruct, I'll Relapse, then Detox."

G-Unit member Tony Yayo and DJ Whoo Kid told MTV News similar info recently, and provided some details on the albums. Early last month, 50 Cent hinted that Em's sixth was on the way.

"You'll be seeing him shortly," the rapper told the BBC. "He's working. I spent the weekend at his house. Even though he tries to relax and stay home, it's impossible for him to stay in. A lot of material he wrote prior to this is being scrapped. He's got to feel like it's just happened, it's new and it's current. That's just how he is creatively as an artist."

[This story was originally published at 11:16 am E.T. on 10.16.08]

• Eminem Comes Out Of Hiding

• Eminem
• 50 Cent
• LL Cool J
• G-Unit

LL Cool J
Photo: MTV News

The first-week numbers for LL Cool J's Exit 13 will be released Wednesday, but hip-hop's G.O.A.T. said the only stat that matters is how many hits are on the album.

"People can say what they want," he said. "But this is a Mayweather moment. I'mma take a page out of Floyd's book on this one. The album is hot. It's crazy. ... I can't guarantee the first-week sales, because retail is gonna be looking at my last albums' sales and thinking about that. They gonna be caught up in that. So I don't know what I'm gonna do the first week. That's all based on how many records you put out there in the first place. But let me tell you something: That word of mouth on that album and that second week, you watch. We're gonna see.

"Mr. Smith did 80,000 the first week and sold 3 million," he added. "Mama Said Knock You Out did maybe 100,000 first week; that sold 3 million. Bigger and Deffer sold triple-platinum. I have a feeling that sold pretty well, but this is my favorite album that I've made. It is. It's hard for people to think that way. They have records that's embedded in their heads so deeply, you can't move them. But for those new hip-hop fans, its gonna be crazy."

LL spoke with so much pride about the project because it's the LP he's worked the longest on.

"Just hating on it, hating on yourself," he said about recording the album over the past two years. "I hated on the joint. Say what you want about me, but everything I do musically is on purpose and by design. I know what I'm doing. And that being said, when it's time to make a joint, I hated on the joint. 'Make a new joint, flip it. I'll make two types of joints.' There's two types of albums I make: Albums I make by myself when I'm being artsy and albums I make as a hip-hop fan. I made this album as a hip-hop fan.

"Mama Said Knock You Out — that was, maybe, almost a year," he continued. "[Exit 13] is crazy. Two years to get it right, B. I'm telling you. I promise you. It's gonna be mailmen that ain't bought a hip-hop album in 10 years that's gonna buy this album. It's gonna be junior high schools that never bought an LL album buying this album once it gets in the system, God willing."

LL is currently opening for Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour. On November 21, he'll head to New Jersey's Izod Center for Hot 97's Check the Rhyme concert. Besides LL, 50 Cent, Q-Tip, T-Pain, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Ice Cube and Brandy are all on the bill.

• LL Cool J

50 Cent performs in Albany, New York 9.13.08
Photo: Mr. whatspoppin.net

ALBANY, New York — On Saturday night, 50 Cent took a page out of Kanye West's book and told the crowd at his concert he would be debuting a brand-new song from his upcoming album — not via mixtape, not via radio, not via blog, but via live concert performance.

"What I want everybody to do right now is take your cell phones out, get your cameras out," Fif urged the audience at the Times Union Center. "Tonight, Albany, New York, I'm gonna give y'all an exclusive. I'mma perform my first single off my new album, Before I Self Destruct."

Then, the bass-heavy beat from Kanye West's new song, "Love Lockdown," came thundering through the speakers. Was this a miscue by DJ Whoo Kid? bewildered fans in the crowd wondered. Nope! G-Unit knew exactly what they were doing: 50 began singing the song — "I'm not loving you ..." — clearly mocking Mr. West.

"That's what y'all are left with," Fif said, after covering the first verse. He was making reference to the much-ballyhooed SoundScan battle between himself and Kanye just over a year ago, when both MCs released albums on September 11. 50 was soundly thumped in the battle: More than 300,000 more fans favored 'Ye's Graduation over the Queens native's Curtis.

"I'll forgive y'all for that one," 50 said.

It seems a Kanye/ 50 second round could very well be on the horizon. 50 said Before I Self Destruct is coming out on December 9, and West's 808's & Heartbreak is reportedly slated for a December 16 release date. But we all know how easily in-store dates can change, and even if the releases remain a week apart, it's going to be intriguing.

On Saturday night, 50 fed a rabid audience with more than 20 songs from his catalog, rocking the stage for close to two hours.

G-Unit — featuring Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo — started their set with "Rider Pt. 2" wearing military jackets, and the focus on the group's latest LP, T.O.S.: Terminate on Sight, continued with records such as "Straight Outta Southside."

Although the album was considered a commercial flop, the crowd was very familiar with the material and rapped along. Later, 50 took it back with "Candy Shop" and the hard-hitting "I Get Money"; the greenback anthem shook the arena to its foundation.

More hits followed with "P.I.M.P." (50 brought out a white fedora for that one) and "Gunz Come Out." The Unit's attention then steered toward the underground with mixtape cuts like the boldly titled "I F---ed Your Girl."

"Now, I been here before, but this is Tony's first time," 50 began explained to the crowd. "I want y'all to help him out."

Yayo said, "I want my man to rock with me" — and then pulled Flavor Flav, of all people, from the crowd. Whoo Kid dropped "So Seductive" and Flav and Yayo began doing Flav's signature dance — it was a classic moment.

Surprisingly, that was Flav's second show-stealing moment of the night. LL Cool J — who surprised the crowd with an unannounced, multi-song set earlier in the night, as he did in New York in July — said at one point that he needed two guys and five girls onstage with him. While most of them appeared to be random fans, one of the guys ended up being Flav.

"You — money, right there," L said to his friend of more than two decades before the reveal. "Come onstage!" Flav and company all danced to Cool J's "Around the Way Girl."

LL's set combined his timeless hits with cuts from his new LP, Exit 13. During his latest single, "Baby," he handed out roses to the women in the crowd.

However, one person in the venue was not feeling so festive. Keyshia Cole stunned the crowd by walking offstage after performing just a few songs, barking at the soundman just before she left.

Ne-Yo performed a set just after Cole left the stage. The singer/songwriter tore things down with tracks from his own albums, including the just-released Year of the Gentleman — but when he started to play some of the monsters he's written for others, like Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable," Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight" and Rihanna's "Take a Bow," the crowd went insane.

Two of the advertised performers for the night were no-shows: Young Jeezy (whose named had dropped off the bill days before the show) and Plies. The latter MC is slated to perform with 50 and the Unit at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena on Friday.

• LL Cool J Live

• 50 Cent
• Kanye West
• Keyshia Cole
• Ne-Yo
• LL Cool J

LL Cool J
Photo: MTV News

The album cover of LL Cool J's Exit 13 depicts a giant microphone crashing into a highway and literally cracking the asphalt. The 24-year hip-hop vet describes the artwork as him spiking the mic, the way a football player would spike the ball after scoring a touchdown. He's feeling that victorious about the project.

"It's a pressure inside of me," LL said, sitting in Manhattan's Chung King Studios, the facility in which he recorded so many of his hit records. "I feel like a champagne bottle that got shook up. I'm totally excited about people hearing it, because I want them to know how much I love my music. There's only one way to prove it. It's not about being old school or new school; it's about being classic. I'm not really interested in all that 'legend' and 'icon.' It's cool. I mention it here and there, but I really wanna make a hot joint. If I never made an album before, I think this album would be hot. When there's pressure situations, I usually deliver."

"Baby" with The-Dream is the current single from hip-hop's G.O.A.T. On the album, he also has a version of the track featuring Jon Bon Jovi's wingman.

"I have a remix of 'Baby' with Richie Sambora, which is a rock joint," he explained. "[It] is crazy but it's unconventional. I wanted to take it to another level and do something different and touch some of those people who like me when I do that rock-edge flavor. I got a whole crew of people out there who heard me on the Howard Stern ["Private Parts"] soundtrack with the [Red Hot] Chili Peppers playing behind me.

"The remix is hot," he added. "We creatively put our heads together. I told him I wanted that talk box. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi's is one of my favorite albums. I thought the talk box on a couple of the songs was incredible, 'Livin' on a Prayer' especially. So, I got Richie to do it on the 'Baby' remix. It sounds crazy. Then he did some vocals, and he did some guitar solos ... so it's good. I'mma drop it out there, shoot it out there and give people a chance to feel it. We been talking about it, having some good conversations."

Among the other appearances on Exit 13 are 50 Cent on "Feel My Heart Beat" and Wyclef Jean on "Mr. President."

"I thought his voice would do that song so much justice," Uncle L said of Wyclef. "It resonates. It has that truthful energy to it, that pain. I wrote a song that basically, it's a letter to the president. If I had an opportunity to have a conversation with him, I'd pose a few questions to him in a respectful manner — because I think that, as a community, we can get further with me asking him questions in a respectful manner than me talking crazy. Instead of me starting a bunch of ruckus, I pose a bunch of questions that I thought were fairly intelligent to him, and we'll see if there's a response that comes back. [The questions] are relevant to our current president and at the same time could be posed to a president that comes in office after Bush, because none of the problems will be resolved. They're pretty timeless questions."

To start the record off, he raps, "Dear Mr. President, with all due respect/ Wish we could have a conversation./ I would take a trip down to your residence, and we would talk about the state of the nation."

Later LL addresses the war in Iraq: "Don't get me wrong./ I respect the flag/ But it hurts to see a kid in a body bag./ He fought for his country with all he had./ Now we have a family without a dad./ Lil mama's crying, the kid's are scared./ On 9/11, why were we unprepared?"

Cool J is one of the many MCs who chimed in when MTV asked how the hip-hop community can support Barack Obama without bringing any negative light to his campaign.

"By being smart," was LL's answer. "You know the man's a politician. They're looking for any flaw to pounce on him. You know if there's a trickle of blood on him, a shark is gonna come for him. Why would you say anything inflammatory in a record that's meant to support him? It's common sense. I know we're hip-hop. I know it's fly for us to be rebels. I respect that completely. I'm part of the culture. But there's a time and place for everything. While we're supporting this man, we need to support him in a way that's helpful."

• LL Cool J Talks Politics And Rock

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