HIP HOP PIONEERS, CYPRESS HILL, DE LA SOUL, SLICK RICK, NAUGHTY BY NATURE
AND TOO $HORT WILL BE HONORED AT
THE FIFTH ANNUAL “VH1 HIP HOP HONORS”
Tracy Morgan Returns As Host of The 2008 “VH1 Hip Hop Honors”
Which Premieres On VH1 and VH1 Soul on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*
NEW YORK, AUGUST 13, 2008 – VH1 has announced the five honorees for their
fifth annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors,” Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By
Nature and Too $hort. Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year’s musical
celebration will give viewers a chance to step back and reminisce on a time
when hip hop music began to make its greatest impact on American pop
culture.
Premiering on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*, generations of hip hop will bridge
the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor
that sparked a revolution and continues to fuel an evolution around the world.
Additional performances and appearances will be announced shortly.
“Now in its fifth year, the ‘VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ has come to represent the
pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music,” said Tom Calderone,
Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. “This year’s five honorees
are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip
hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon.”
Introducing this year’s honorees:
Cypress Hill: With a driving rhyme style and brutally infectious production, this L.A.
based collective brought a welcomed Latino perspective to hip hop storytelling,
creating records like "Insane in the Brain" that crossed all barriers and gave
Cypress Hill fans in the rock, as well as, rap world.
De La Soul: This Long Island trio brought a playful, smart, and off-center style to
hip hop, while pushing their suburban and bohemian sensibility to the fore. Their
innovative sound has influenced not only other MCs, but helped inspire the entire
underground movement in the culture.
Naughty By Nature: Led by the strident style of lead MC Treach, Naughty By
Nature brought New Jersey hip hop into the mainstream by creating hit singles
than became anthems for a generation. "OPP" and "Hip Hop Hooray" are two of
the most popular records in rap history.
Slick Rick: With vivid storytelling and unique rhyme style Slick Rick has always
been one of the most unique and influential figures in the culture's history. When
you combine Rick's MC gifts with his gold chains, eye patch and regal clothing
the result is a figure who embodies the fun, the danger and the flavor that is hip
hop.
Too $hort: Too $hort started his career in the '80s selling 12-inch singles full of
freaky tales on his own indie label in Oakland and has remained true to his raw
style, in the process becoming a legend in the game while staying true to his
hard core values.
Additionally, on September 16 VH1.com will launch its dedicated “VH1 Hip Hop
Honors” Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show
information and more at HipHop.VH1.com. Additional VH1.com and VH1 Mobile
efforts around “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 Blackjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and
Fab Five Freddie are co-executive producers.
*All times ET/PT
“VH1 Hip Hop Honors” is sponsored by T-Mobile USA and Taco Bell Corp.
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 90 million households in the U.S.
VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1 Games
and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
Contacts:
Toni Herron
212-846-7528
toni.herron@VH1staff.com
Luis Defrank
212-846-7012
luis.defrank@VH1staff.com
Surayyah McCarthy
212-846-8433
surayyah.mccarthy@VH1staff.com