It’s a rap: ‘Billboards’ fully embrace hip-hop

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002 | 8:21 a.m.

It started with host Cedric the Entertainer spoofing Eminem's hit single "Lose Yourself" and ended with Nelly taking Artist of the Year honors.

So on a night dominated by hip-hop music, it seemed only fitting for the 2002 "Bilboard Music Awards" to pay homage to the group that first brought rap to the mainstream.

Six weeks after the shooting death of Jason Mizell, better known as Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay, a lineup of hip-hop greats, along with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, performed a medley of songs by Mizell's influential trio Monday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"Since my husband passed, it's been hard," Mizell's wife, Terri, said after the tribute. "But I had fun just now ... and I know Jay's smiling."

As a star-studded cast, including Nelly, Shabba Ranks, Ja Rule, Naughty by Nature and Queen Latifah, passionately worked through some of the legendary New York group's early material, Tyler and Perry rose from the center of the stage and began playing "Walk This Way," a song Aerosmith and Run-DMC collaborated on in 1986.

When it was over, Terri Mizell and Run-DMC co-founder Darryl "DMC" McDaniels materialized and hugged the performers before addressing the crowd. Run-DMC's third member, Joe "Run" Simmons, was not in attendance.

"When Jay passed, it was really tough, but we're realizing everybody feels what we feel," McDaniels said in a post-show interview session. "I was crying ... because I really miss the brother. But his music will live on, and his legacy is solid."

Although the emotional salute to Run-DMC made the most lasting impression, it was only one of several quality performances during a show more famous for its celebrity sightings outside on the red carpet and inside the arena.

Nelly, who collected six Billboard awards, provided the first hour's live highlight, a slick version of Rap Track of the Year "Hot in Herre" backed by the St. Lunatics. Considering the amount of flesh visible in the fashion-conscious audience, the request in the song's chorus -- "It's gettin' hot in here (so hot), so take all of your clothes off" -- didn't seem like such a stretch.

In the second hour, country star Faith Hill showed off her golden voice during "Cry," and hard rockers Puddle of Mudd -- the Rock Artists of the Year -- shocked both the show's producers and parents of small children in attendance by reverting to the explicit version of "She Hates Me," complete with repeated use of the F-word.

The show was broadcast live on Fox throughout the country except in Las Vegas, where it aired 45 minutes after its completion. The offending lyrics were wiped out, along with patches of accompanying music, for the local airing.

Cher, who received Billboard's 2002 Artist Achievement Award, also sneaked an F-bomb past censors during her acceptance speech. Tyler presented the award to Cher, recounting the pop sensation's notable achievements in music, television and movies over four decades.

"She's reinvented herself so many times, she's got 19 patents on her ass," Tyler joked.

The show's other career recipient, Annie Lennox, was not present to accept her Century Award. Michael Jackson, who was recognized with a special award marking the 20th anniversary of hit album "Thriller," was another no-show, instead receiving his award via a live video feed.

Also notably absent was Eminem, a dominant figure in 2002's music scene and the recipient of two Billboard awards: Album of the Year and R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year, both for "The Eminem Show."

Teen pop idol Justin Timberlake was restricted by a broken foot during his performance of "Cry Me a River." Although the 'N Sync member's high-pitched vocals were met by screams from members of the opposite sex -- both young and old -- Timberlake's injury confined him to a chair for most of the song, and then allowed him only to sway from side to side upon rising.

Another teen sensation, Avril Lavigne, opened the show with portions of two songs, but failed to inspire, leaving that task to Nelly, the night's second performer.

R&B newcomer Ashanti took home the most hardware, collecting eight trophies, including Top New Pop Artist and R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year. Despite that notoriety, she patiently signed autographs for a throng of young girls before the show began.

Hard-rock band Creed, which contributed a taped performance atop the Stratosphere, received four awards, including Group/Duo of the Year. Nickleback (4), Puddle of Mudd (3) and Moby (2) also took home multiple trophies.

With the National Finals Rodeo in town, country music also played a significant role in Monday's festivities. Along with Hill, Toby Keith was on hand to accept his Country Singles Artist of the Year award, Brooks & Dunn served as presenters and Keith Urban joked around with Cedric from his seat on the floor.

Billboard awards are determined by sales figures and radio play.