
NEW YORK (VH1) - VH1 pays homage to the hip hop pioneers who transformed the genre into a true cultural phenomenon with the second annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors." Hosted by Russell Simmons and Reverend Run, this year's celebration will honor LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Notorious B.I.G., Ice T, Salt -N- Pepa, and the film Boyz N The Hood.
Premiering on VH1 Monday September 26 at 9PM*, "VH1 Hip Hop Honors", which will be taped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on September 22, will include performances by Kanye West, Eve, Nelly, Common, Jazzy Jeff, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Biz Markie, En Vogue, Faith Evans, Fat Joe, T.I. and The Roots with appearances by Anthony Anderson, Jermaine Dupri, Nas, Jerry Ferrara, Terrence Howard and Ludacris.
The music and influence of each of the honorees will be recognized through performances by classic artists in collaboration with today's hottest new talent. Generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked and inspired the evolution of the music.
Last year, VH1's inaugural show honored DJ Kool Herc, DJ Hollywood, KRS-One, Public Enemy, Rock Steady Crew, Run DMC, Sugarhill Gang, Tupac Shakur and The Graffiti Movement and featured performances Kid Rock, Fat Joe and Terror Squad, Nas, Beastie Boys, Anthrax, MC Hammer and Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, Sugarhill Gang, Chic, Doug E. Fresh and Kid Capri and appearances by Ice T, Method Man, Salt-n-Pepa, Roselyn Sanchez, Taye Diggs, Reverend Al Sharpton, James Brown and Debbie Harry.