50 and Fresh: The Best Moments from ‘A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop’

After a passionate opening from host LL Cool J, the festivities started the way all parties should: with “Ladies First.” The song is just as empowering now as it was when it first came out.

The tribute to hip-hop’s baddest women continued MC Sha-Rock bringing Funky 4+1’s “That’s the Joint” to the kids.

“We’re JJ Fad and we’re here to rock.” And with that opening line, it was 1988 all over again.

The one and only Roxanne Shanté showcased her legendary skills on “Roxanne’s Revenge.”

You can’t highlight the impact of hip-hop’s female pioneers without MC Lyte, one of the greatest lyricists of all time. This was followed by Remy Ma, Latto and all the women joining Queen Latifah for her classic “U.N.I.T.Y.”

Actress/singer Chloe Bailey took us to the South, which kicked off its segment with Jeezy.

The “King of the South” T.I. got the enthusiastic audience going with “What You Know.” He was followed by Three 6 Mafia, Bun B, GloRilla, Boosie Badazz and Uncle Luke.

And you can’t shout out the South without Jermaine Dupri reminding everyone how it goes down in “Welcome to Atlanta.”

Chuck D and Flavor Flav’s thought-provoking message was just as powerful as ever with a medley of “Fight the Power,” “Bring the Noise” and “Don’t Believe the Hype.”

Since the special was filmed at the You Tube Theater in Inglewood, Calif., you know the crowd was ready to celebrate the West Coast. Warren G got everyone singing for Nate Dogg on “Regulate.”

After Luniz, Lady of Rage, YG, Tyga and Rody Ricch took us back to those amazing house parties, DJ Quik got in the time machine for “Tonight.”

And you can’t have a West Coast party with Yo-Yo who fit right in with the event’s showcase of hip=hop’s powerhouse women.

We headed to the Bay Area with Too Short and E-40 delivering the ultimate party-starters, “Blow the Whistle” and “Tell Me When to Go.”

From there it was time to get thoughtful with hip-hop’s poets, including Common performing “I Used to Love H.E.R.”

We all went back to our ‘90s activist phase with Arrested Development’s “Everyday People.”

Things got a little jazzy with Digable Planets’ “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That).”

After Black Sheep, The Pharcyde, Talib Kweli and Queen Latifah all performed some of their most popular hits, Common returned to the stage to join De La Soul for “The Bizness.”

A segment on exceptional lyricists brought out Big Daddy Kane, much to the delight of the internet, who thinks he’s definitely still got it.

Seriously, when it comes to rhyming, Black Thought is an artistic genius.

And Rakim is always brilliant.

The international section featured Akon performing a medley of his hits, including “Locked Up” and “Soul Survivor.”

Alongside DJ D-Nice, the legendary beat boxer paid tribute to some of the greats who’ve passed away in a moving In Memoriam.

Another medley of hitmakers included Coi Leray, 2 Chainz, Gunna and Nelly.

And you know they couldn’t have a party this big without Rick Ross showing up to take over.