LL COOL J Turns Back Time With Career-Spanning Performance At VMAs: Watch

LL COOL J rocked the stage at the 2024 VMAs, delivering all the iconic hits from his decades-long career.

On Wednesday night, September 11, the legendary MC returned to the 2024 MTV VMAs with a stunning tribute performance that fans will never forget. The performance was dedicated to Def Jam record label, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Busta Rhymes introduced LL's performance, describing the rapper as a “true trailblazer… also my hero."

"He’s not only a hip-hop innovator, he’s not only a godfather, big homie and a mentor — he was the first artist to release an album on Def Jam, and a force to be reckoned with," Busta Rhymes said, noting his feature on LL's new album The Force .

LL then began his performance, hitting the audience with his throwback jam "Headsprung." During the set, fans appeared to hold up posters of goats, seemingly a nod to LL popularizing the "greatest of all time" phrase with his 2000 album name.

Public Enemy's Chuck D and Flavor Flav joined LL onstage, performing their group's hit “Bring the Noise." The rap icon continued his electrifying set, running through a series of classics including, “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “Rock the Bells,” “Around the Way Girl,” and “Goin’ Back to Cali.”

To close out his performance, LL transitioned into “Passion,” a track from his new album, before delivering bars from the advance single “Proclivities." The iconic set ended with “Doin’ It,” which LL performed on the VMA stage nearly 30 years ago.

The "Rock The Bells" artist shut down the UBS Arena in New York just a year after he made his grand comeback to the VMAs. LL COOL J, who won the Video Vanguard Award in 1997, appeared at the tail end of MTV's tribute to Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary and delivered his classic "Mama Said Knock You Out." He also joined the legendary Darryl "DMC" McDaniels for a special performance of Run-DMC's "Walk This Way." It was his first time back on the VMAs stage in 25 years.

LL COOL J hit the VMA stage just a few days after he dropped his 14th studio album The FORCE . The 14-track project executive produced by Q-Tip features collaborations with Snoop Dogg , Rick Ross , Fat Joe , Saweetie , Eminem , Nas , Busta Rhymes and more.