Last night’s (September 18) broadcast of VH1 Hip Hop Honors paid homage to some of the biggest and brightest names in the history of Hip Hop. This year, for its ninth iteration, the program paid particular attention to ’90s Hip Hop and R&B.
There were many notable moments that made for an amazing viewing experience for anyone who has memories rooted in the iconic period of the culture. Naturally, Twitter was elated.
Me in front of the tv rn enjoying all this nostalgia. #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/jjsLZ9uIyN
— Stussy✨ (@lve_mei) September 19, 2017
Dawg we will NEVER have another HipHop era like the 90s!!! #HipHopHonors
— Dame_Visuals (@shotbyDRice) September 19, 2017
Love that they're showing love to 90s R&B and HipHop music #hiphophonorspic.twitter.com/ahwMdvtOHu
— Milo Vana (@VanaThickHair) September 19, 2017
The Martin episode with Biggie is one of my favorite episodes … the scene when Pam walks in and sees biggie. ??#HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/g1ufqCxB6F
— Ave (@SebastianAvenue) September 19, 2017
Missy Elliott, who was previously honored in both 2007 and 2016, opened the show with a performance that lived up to the level of visual spectacle that made her such a pillar in the game. Fans loved it.
Can't believe I got the opportunity to shoot @MissyElliott performance at the #HipHopHonors
Everyone has to watch it tonight. pic.twitter.com/cTVe2OcR0Y— RAVEN B. (@RAVIEB) September 18, 2017
MISSY at #HipHopHonors! We bow down! She's BEEN livin in 3017 while we're still playing catch-up pic.twitter.com/jZb1gZnJZ7
— B. Scott (@lovebscott) September 19, 2017
Missy is still better than all of us.
— Around the Way Curls (@ATWCurls) September 19, 2017
Nobody has EVER been able to top Missy Elliot when it comes to videos #HipHopHonors
— Muva✨ (@NoelleBllue) September 19, 2017
Jermaine Dupri and Master P were honored together with a medley that included renditions of “I Got The Hook Up” by P’s son Romeo and “Just Kickin’ It” by Xscape. Afterward, the two music moguls delivered speeches on their accomplishments that focused on inspiring the next generation of artists.
Many viewers pointed out that their monumental careers deserved separate nods, but they already received such recognition back in 2010 during a southern-focused edition of Hip Hop Honors that also paid tribute to Uncle Luke and Timbaland among others.
Ain't no way Jermaine Dupri and Master P should be sharing time….they're both legends of the south
— Lord Zeus Federer (@f3toast) September 19, 2017
Master P and Jermaine Dupri def deserved this honor. Salute! #HipHopHonors
— Creshia (@CreeLuv314) September 19, 2017
Jermaine Dupri is so small standing next to Master P. ?#HipHopHonors
— Lea (@_MissLeandra) September 19, 2017
Jermaine Dupri & Master P should've had their own separate time & full tributes on that stage. @jermainedupri
— Turntable Whisperer (@DJScratch) September 19, 2017
Mariah Carey, one of the biggest stars of the ’90s, was also honored. Her performance of “Honey” seemed to be one of the most talked about performances of the evening — despite what some pointed out as “stiffness” on her part.
AD LOADING...
“Mariah was the innovator of the sound you hear now,” Jermaine Dupri said in the tribute video.
Honoree @MariahCarey performs "Honey (So So Def Remix)" @ the #Vh1#HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/0oViTto4ce
— Michael Jeffrey ? (@MyCooL03) September 18, 2017
Just in time for Mariah. #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/WwLoLBi5Iu
— Dria (@AAndersenPhoto) September 19, 2017
Mariah Carey is the reason your favorite singer picked up a microphone. She doesn't have to move! #HipHopHonors
— Ryan Schocket (@RyanSchocket) September 19, 2017
Before introducing an emotional (if you’re over 30) montage of incredible game-changing visuals by legendary video producer Hype Williams, Pharrell delivered a heartfelt message about the current racial tensions boiling over in the U.S.
Salute to you @pharrell ?????? #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/CAomdyPYSY
— JEN ✨ BKLYN (@jenfrombk) September 19, 2017
Come on PHARRELL preach and educate #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/nsyEixt5re
— Rita-Ashley (@_itsRITAash) September 19, 2017
Pharrell is speaking for the people ! Yes! #hiphophonorspic.twitter.com/4zkP0uQl4w
— Jasmine Dominique (@Vixxx_G) September 19, 2017
Dear @Pharrell… ✊?#HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/07lKO13g4f
— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) September 19, 2017
Other standout moments included a tribute to Prodigy by Havoc, Fabolous, and Lil Kim; Teyana Taylor hitting more cues with a broken foot than some of us can hit without one; a special homage to the influential TV show Martin;and a medley of ’90s hits including a Big Pun tribute by Fat Joe and Remy Ma.
Video of Remy Ma & Fat Joe recorded by a fan, while performing at #HipHopHonors! pic.twitter.com/yZqcw5QdSJ
— Remy Ma Community (@RemyMaCommunity) September 18, 2017
havoc and lil kim doing "quiet storm" with an assist from fabo ?? RIP prodigy #hiphophonors
— adelle. (@adelleplaton) September 19, 2017
We lost a real one.
RIP #Prodigy.
I appreciate #LilKim, #Havoc, and #Fabolous tribute.#HipHopHonors#QuietStorm#MobbDeep#HustlaInkKickspic.twitter.com/FoCAvgvMOU— Hustla In Kicks (@HustlainKicks) September 19, 2017
Can we talk about the fact that Teyana Taylor has a BROKEN FOOT and STILL tore this up?? #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/uemy93Qc9E
— father n ram (@__nathen) September 19, 2017
One consistent observation, though, seemed to be the age of the audience, who seemed unimpressed by many of the evening’s bigger moments. This appears to be a persistent issue with these ceremonies and Twitter wasn’t pleased.
Im lokey disappointed right now cause the audience have no idea what they are witnessing.. clearly way before their time… #HipHopHonors
— Pamela ??? (@PVA82) September 19, 2017
EVERY YEAR THE CROWD IS GARBAGE!!! why they keep letting these uncultured mfs experience this greatness?? #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/WhqWCNRXSL
— A.J.? (@alliiiahhhh) September 19, 2017
#HipHopHonors Would've been better if they had ppl in the crowd that grew up in the 90s & not these kids w/ their damn phones. ?
— Sasha Davila (@Sasha_89) September 19, 2017
This crowd must be born after 94'. They just standing around #HipHopHonors
— Zoe ?????? (@YourFavoriteZoe) September 19, 2017
#HipHopHonors has the lamest crowd. This happens when they were born 2002
— Leah Raymond (@OVOROZAY88) September 19, 2017
Some viewers also pointed out that the show seemed to have a short runtime, which led to some songs being altered and rushed.
The hip hop honors wasn't long enough seem like it was rushed.
— Gary_4real (@Gary_4real) September 19, 2017
The fact that VH1 is only giving these '90s icons a one-hour tribute. ONE damn hour, son?! #HipHopHonorspic.twitter.com/DyT6MnUL0U
— Paris Chanel (@thechanelmuse) September 19, 2017
No Jay-Z mention.
No Aaliyah mention.
No Bad Boy mention.
That's why you need more than an hour. #HipHopHonors— Ganelle Reese (@_CaliPureBred) September 19, 2017
Too much good music during the 90's…1 hour is not nearly enough #HipHopHonors
— Clarissa (@ClarissaW) September 19, 2017
Watched the Hip Hop Honors and was quite confused on the line up. Seemed unfinished and should've been longer.
— Silent Moves (@blckbuttrfly1) September 19, 2017
All in all, audiences seemed to enjoy what they saw. If you missed it, you can catch all the best moments on VH1’s website.
#HipHopHonors is solid. I hope you up and coming artists use this as a reminder to MAKE MUSIC FOR A LIFETIME & NOT FOR THE MOMENT ?
— Jabari Carter (@1DJFirstClass) September 19, 2017