If you were just a twinkle in your parents’ eye during the 1990s, you’re probably tired of hearing about how the era was superior in terms of music, fashion and cultural influence.
But get this: the saying goes, “no idea is original under the sun” but ’90s Hip Hop did just that in terms of bringing newness to the forefront. The influx in nimble lyricism. The commercial validity. The cutting-edge clothing companies that created entrepreneurship within the culture. The list goes on and with each passing decade, it makes longtime rap fans yearn for the supposed good ‘ol days.
VH1’s Hip Hop Honors went the extra mile in saluting the revered generation with the 2017 edition, shot on Sunday night (September 17) in Los Angeles on Paramount’s storied lot. Subtitled “The 90’s Game Changers,” the network paid special tribute to the likes of Master P, Jermaine Dupri, Hype Williams, Mariah Carey and Martin Lawrence. Fellow legend Missy Elliott kicked off the show with a rousing performance of her 1999 hit, “She’s a Bitch” — complete with the infamous black makeup that was highlighted in the music video.
Stars and fans alike turned out to the set in their classic ’90s apparel (that still manages to hold relevance to this day). Blac Chyna stunted in a Rapunzel-length golden weave with the gold bangles to match while Don Benjamin channeled a Tommy Boy; decked in a Hilfiger jumpsuit with the red and white Scottie Pippen Air More Uptempos; The Colonel took it back to his No Limit Army fatigue days and Faith Evans and Rocsi Diaz laced their perfect frames in the finest of Versace fabrics.
This year’s host, Girls Trip star Regina Hall, cracked jokes on stage, much to the delight of Pharrell, DJ Khaled and his son Asahd, Kelly Rowland, Monica, and Da Brat, who were sat on the street designed sidelines.
Presenter T.I. made sure to champion his homestead southern roots (which were notoriously snubbed for respect throughout much of the decade) and that included giving a nod those at the bottom of the U.S. who had been affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Trick Daddy and Trina repped Miami and did VH1 a solid by boldly affirming that Love & Hip Hop: Miami won’t be the one to miss.
Surprises were aplenty but perhaps the most GIF-worthy moment came courtesy of Teyana Taylor, who managed to pull off an impressive 90s-inspired routine with a broken foot.
At the event, Love & Hip Hop creator Mona Scott-Young told HipHopDX, “When you think about what the 90s meant to Hip Hop, it was a shift. It’s when Hip Hop really exploded. It was doing what it was doing but that’s when the world became aware. That’s where all of the different regions start to come up and cement their place. That’s when I felt Hip Hop really became a global phenomenon.”
VH1’s Hip Hop Honors: The 90’s Game Changers airs tonight at 9/8c. Take a look at some exclusive flicks down below ahead of the broadcast.
Photos by Maury Phillips and John Sciulli/Getty Images for VH1/Viacom
Da Brat STILL FINE!!
Shout out to P for shouting out J.Prince. Respect, credit where credit is due.
P should have shouted out the Bay for REALLY giving him the game on the indie hustle… he tends to get amnesia about the days when he, C-murder and Silk were repping South Richmond extra hard before they allegedly got ran up outta there, or the fact E-A Ski brought him to priority records for his legendary deal… Not hating but a lot of cats steal from the Bay without giving proper credit.
You’re right..and his first records that had that “bay sound” (99 Ways…TRUE etc) are hands down his best. I was just saying you can’t say “king of the south” without giving J.Prince Geto Boys Rap-A-Lot etc etc their due..
I feel you on that one. J prince is one of the og’s. Salute to him.
Shit anybody else getting they comments deleted???? That show was wack, no Wu tang, Bone Thugs, Outkast, Nas, Jay Z, Cypress Hill, Epmd, Dpg, Dj quik, Def Squad, Common.
DX censors people’s comments all the time.
Exactly
Can someone tell me where to watch this online? No VH1 in Japan.
Honestly man it’s not even worth it, it was not good at all.
I’m co-sign East Coast Earl about both, VH1 being wack for leaving out sime of the best to do it in the 90’s & that hiphopdx being so damn peddy with comment deleting. Maybe ya’ll need to let everyone know what is & isn’t allowed so people don’t waste their damn time with comments only for it to disappear. It’s lame as hell just like VH1’s 90’s honors.
Show was trash, love martin but he is a comedian, I feel like Mariah is top 5 all time in Music but at some point
her Management gotta know when to stop her from performing, that was one of the worst performances i ever seen by her, she fine as hell still but I feel like she be coked up when she performs
Her voice is gone but she keep trying
Hip hop is ART! Commercial rap is a fade Here today gone today.
The show was wack. The performances were meh at best because they were rapping over there own tracks, not to mention the half ass Martin tribute. The trick daddy/trina performance was cool but an obvious free promo for love and flip flop Miami. Call it what it really is… TRI-DASH
If they really wanted to celebrate the 90’s Game Changers, what about Wu Tang, Boot Camp Clik, Hieroglyphics, Gangstarr, Nas. They really missed the mark on this one.