LL Cool J wows the crowd with a mix of classic hits and new tracks at the 2024 MTV VMAs
LL Cool J graced the MTV VMAs stage on Wednesday night with a medley of his classic hits and new tunes to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records.
The rapper, joined by Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav and Chuck D, his original Def Jam labelmates, performed towards the end of the three-hour show.
LL started the electrifying performance with “Headsprung,” with the audience donning his signature Kangol hats in red. He then moved on to perform “The G.O.A.T.,” with audience members holding up signs of goats. Flavor Flav and Chuck D then graced the stage for a rendition of “Bring the Noise.”
LL continued with hits like “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “Rock the Bells,” “Around the Way Girl,” and “Goin’ Back to Cali.” He also showcased his new tracks “Passion” and “Proclivities” before closing with “Doin’ It,” a song he previously performed at the VMAs in 1996.
Busta Rhymes introduced LL’s performance, praising him as his “hero” and a “true trailblazer.” Rhymes highlighted LL’s role as a hip-hop innovator and the first artist to release an album on Def Jam.
LL Cool J dropped a video for his new single “Murdergram Deux” featuring Eminem before his performance. Eminem had kicked off the 2024 VMAs with “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me.”
LL’s latest album, The Force (short for Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), was released on Friday. Produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, the album features collaborations with artists like Eminem, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, Nas, and Snoop Dogg.
Megan Thee Stallion hosted the live show from New York’s UBS Arena, where the full list of winners was revealed.