Stars Gathering for 5th Annual 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors'

© Donna Ward/PR Photos

On Thursday, October 2, Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC became the hot spot for Hip-Hop icons, when VH1 rolled down its red carpet for the fifth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors". Hosted by comedian Tracy Morgan, the event paid tribute to Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty by Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort this year.

Hill in particular was introduced by Freddy Rodriguez and the group stormed out to the stage for performances of "DJ Scratch Intro", "How Could I Just Kill a Man" and "(Rock) Superstar". The second tribute was opened by actress Joe Bryant. A number of artists like Estelle, Mos Def and Cee-Lo brought De La Soul's hits like "A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays,'" "Stakes Is High," while the group topped it off with "Me, Myself and I" and a remix of "Buddy!".

Busta Rhymes then took the stage for the third honor, singing Slick's "The Show", followed by Eve singing "Mona Lisa". Slick then raised the temperature, coming out to play his own hits "Hey Young World" and "Children's Story."

Beside giving honors to the mentioned five, the event also held a remembrance segment for soul singer Isaac Hayes who died in August this year. Closing the show was Naughty by Nature who performed "Uptown Anthem" and "Hip Hop Hooray."