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Home • Fashion

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors

VH1’s annual Hip Hop Honors show celebrates the artists and innovators who’ve made hip-hop a global phenomenon. Check out these classic pics from previous shows and come back Friday for the hottest looks from this year’s extravaganza.
By Essence · Updated October 30, 2020
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01
Hip-Hop Beret

The always edgy Eve dressed it up in a glitzy beret, sheer top and elbow-length gloves for the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
02
Sweet Tweet

Singer Tweet made a comeback statement with a curly new look for the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
03
Legendary Sexiness

Rapper LL Cool J was on hand for the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors, looking as sexy as he did when he first hit the hip-hop scene more than 20 years ago.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
04
Old-School Style

The newly reunited Salt-N-Pepa added flavor to the red carpet at the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
05
Go, Girl

Ciara heads into the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show to do her “One-Two step” for super-producer Missy Elliott’s tribute.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
06
Kickin’ it Old School

VH1 Hip Hop Honors Host Tracy Morgan goes old school for the audience.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
07
Hot Girl

Eve rocks the Hot Boyz remix in honor of her girl Missy Elliott.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
08
Whodini Takes the Stage

Whodini helped bring the “freaks” out during their tribute at 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
09
Diddy Does It

Diddy gives a shout-out to the swagger and vision of his Uptown Records mentor, Andre Harrell, at the 2007 show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
10
Showstopper

Blackstreet members Teddy Riley and Chauncey Black get the crowd rockin’ during the New Jack Swing tribute to Riley at the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
11
Rhyme Time

A Tribe Called Quest had the crowd pumping their fists when they launched into their classic joint “Check the Rhime.” The group was honored by Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell Williams and Busta Rhymes in 2007.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Courtesy of VH1
12
Sexy Way Back

Producer Nile Rogers and his legendary disco group Chic arrive at VH1’s first annual Hip Hop Honors show in 2004.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
corbis.com
13
Common Sense

Rapper Common salutes the crowd after delivering an electrifying performance at the 2006 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
14
Feminine Chic

Songstress Faith Evans perfects shabby chic in this sheer floral number worn at the 2005 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
15
Funkadelic

Musician George Clinton funks up the 2006 Hip Hop Honors red carpet.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
Corbis.com
16
Dare to Bare

Holly Robinson Peete stuns photographers with an Asian-inspired mixed-print dress on the 2005 red carpet.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
17
Super Woman

Kerry Washington arrives at the 2007 red carpet looking fierce in a sporty, blue and white minidress paired with some fiery pumps.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
18
Ladies First

Rappers Yo Yo, Lil’ Kim, MC Lyte and Remy Ma represent during the 2006 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
19
Still One of the Best

LL Cool J rocks out in a white bucket hat and gold chain at the 2005 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
20
Screen Queen

Nia Long shares a laugh with photographers during the 2005 Hip Hop Honors red carpet. Her sleek, brown dress is a classic.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
21
Classic Style

Queen Latifah glams up a pair of jeans with a halter top at the 2005 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
22
Comedic Stance

Comedian Tracy Morgan cuts up on the 2007 red carpet in ultimate B-boy style. He’ll host the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors
AP
23
Hip-hop Divas

Honorees Missy Elliott and MC Lyte hang backstage at the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show. MC Lyte was honored in 2006.

The Best of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors