“VH1 Hip Hop Honors” show will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Def Jam Records

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ — The 6th annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” show
will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Def Jam Records, as talents from
across all artistic genres come together to celebrate this significant
milestone in American hip-hop music. Eminem, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross,
Fabolous, Ludacris, DMX, Mary J. Blige, Redman, The Roots, Method Man,ONYX,
Public Enemy, Warren G, Kid Rock, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Brett Ratner, Trey
Songz, Ja Rule, Gym Class Heroes, and Scarface are scheduled to show up and
show out to celebrate the label that served a catalyst for this American
musical phenomenon.

“VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009″ will be taped from the Brooklyn Academy of Music
(BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. “30 Rock’s” Tracy
Morgan returns as host for the 3rd year, as he will be joined many of
hip-hop’s biggest luminaries. The “VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009″ broadcast will
premiere on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13 at 9PM ET/PT.*

Def Jam has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in music history
and has inspired other emerging labels and artists. Special homage will be
paid to the architects of the label, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles,
Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Antonio “L.A.” Reid
(Chairman Island Def Jam Music Group). Presenters and performers honor the
history and the legacy of Def Jam Records through never-seen-before
interviews, archival footage and special musical performances of some of Def
Jam’s greatest hits. It promises to be a night that will showcase how Def Jam
came and remains to be one of the premier record labels of hip-hop music.

Hip Hop fans can go to HipHop.VH1.com now to comment on this year’s line-up
and to weigh in on what they’d like to hear at this year’s celebration.
Additionally, on Monday, September 14, VH1 will launch the full show site at
HipHop.VH1.com with artist profiles, exclusive online programming, show
information and more. Additional VH1.com and VH1 Mobile efforts for “VH1 Hip
Hop Honors” will be announced in the coming weeks.

“VH1 Hip Hop Honors” is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac
Benson for Blacjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George
and Fab 5 Freddie are co-executive producers.

“VH1 Hip Hop Honors” is sponsored by Rhapsody(R) and Taco Bell(R).

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and
photographs, visit VH1′s press-only Web site at www.vh1.com/press.

*All times ET/PT

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them
most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and
public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the
U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including
VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on
VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

SOURCE VH1