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LL Cool J Leads Def Jam Salute With Greatest Hits Set at VMAs

Rap legend LL Cool J led the Def Jam tribute performance at the VMAs.

LL Cool J performs on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. Joined by DJ Z-Trip, LL begun his performance with the first verse and chorus to his 2004 hit “Headsprung,” as throngs of fans sporting his iconic red Kangol hat — some of whom held up pictures of a goat, in reference to LL’s having popularized the “G.O.A.T.” phrase (in reference to the “greatest of all time”) with his 2000 album of that name — flanked the stage. From there, the rapper segued into “Passion,” from his new The Force album — pausing to shoutout someone in the crowd, “That’s a nice green shirt” — and the advance single “Proclivities,” which also features Saweetie, and interpolates LL’s 1990 hit “Jingling Baby.” Finally, LL transitioned from “Proclivities” to his R-rated Mr. Smith smash “Doin’ It,” which he performed during his last appearance on the VMAs stage back in 1996.

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