Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer give hip-hop throwback

Scott Harrison/Retina

Rapper Vanilla Ice played to the crowd Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Wet Republic at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

By Melissa Arseniuk (contact)

Sunday, July 5, 2009 | 4:48 p.m.

While a pair of today’s chart-topping, hip-hopping sensations were in town this weekend, two retro rappers came to Las Vegas Saturday to treat poolside partiers to a ‘90s style hip-hop throwback at MGM Grand.

While Jay-Z and Jamie Foxx performed at the Pearl and at the Joint, respectively, Vanilla Ice (born Robert Van Winkle) and MC Hammer (born Stanley Burrell) performed at Wet Republic Saturday afternoon.

The aging former stars, who are now both in their 40s, relived their glory days by the pool yesterday as bikini and boardshort-clad fans danced and partied with them.

Resilient performers took turns in the sun-drenched spotlight and sang a handful of the hits that made them famous more than a decade ago.

MC Hammer, now 48, gained mainstream fame with his 1990 single, “U Can’t Touch This.” That same year, Vanilla Ice, now 41, shot to superstardom with the re-release of the now classic single, “Ice Ice Baby."

Meanwhile, Jay-Z and Rihanna partied in one of adults-only pool’s VIP bungalows, along with NBA superstar LeBron James.

After the mini-concert, the rap icons past and present mixed and mingled in the relative cool of their shaded cabanas.

While the appearance at MGM Grand was planned and publicized will in advance, MC Hammer made an unexpected appearance at the Hard Rock Hotel later that night, when he joined headliner Jamie Foxx onstage.

The two engaged in what could be described as a Hammer-style dance-off, much to the delights of surprised fans. The two were all smiles after the show, when they, along with another surprise guest, Too $hort, posed for photographers backstage.

Unfortunately, diehard '90s hip-hop fans did not get a taste of Vanilla Ice at The Joint last night.

After the show, Smashtime turned “Hammer Time” as MC Hammer and his entourage crashed Body English’s Saturday night party.

The rapper joined E! personality and Body English resident Saturday night DJ, Clinton Sparks, onstage, and performed a karaoke-style mini-set to yet another pleasantly-surprised crowd.

Afterward, the rapper and his crew settled into one of the club’s VIP skyboxes where they enjoyed Grey Goose cocktails and danced as the party continued on the main floor below.

Meanwhile, the main after party of the night went down at Tao, where Foxx and Jay-Z both kicked back after their second and final Las Vegas shows of the weekend.

Rihanna, Fabulous and LeBron James also joined the party, as did Foxx’s mother.

A well-known and longtime fan of the Asian-themed nightspot, Foxx took to the mic and treated clubgoers to a performance of “Blame It,” and yet another Michael Jackson tribute.

Once the star seemed satisfied that the party had been sufficiently started, he settled into his spot on the VIP stage where he drank champagne and celebrated the Fourth of July in grandiose style until the house lights nearly came on at 4 a.m.

Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at melissa.arseniuk@lasvegassun.com.