WOW. Talk about palpable energy. Click below for the action-packed SHOTS from the first half of 2012 Hot 97 Summer Jam:

What: 2012 Hot 97 Summer Jam

Where: East Rutherford, NJ

Venue: MetLife Stadium

When: June 3, 2012

Who: Tyga, Young Jeezy, Waka Flocka, Wale, Miguel, Victor Cruz, K.Foxx, J.Cole, LowKey (YouHeardThatNew.com), Big Sean, Ne-Yo, Big Sean’s Mom, 2 Chainz, & Pusha T

Notes: I missed a few performances in Maino & Slaughterhouse, but I started off capturing the night with Tyga. He held a nice opening set until the transition in to Waka Flocka.

As usual, Flocka brought his patented energy to the table as he jumped in the crowd and performed among the people. He even broke his Foghorn Leghorn chain at one point.

Wale joined Flocka on stage until he broke out in to his own set. Playing “No Hands” to “Lotus Flower Bomb” with Miguel was a highlight for the females in the audience. Wale also jumped off stage to be one with the crowd.

After a brief intermission with the Hot 97 team and New York Giant Victor Cruz, J.Cole took the stage with his band. I knew Jay-Z was overseas, so he wouldn’t be there to surprise us with “Mr. Nicewatch,” but I was hoping Missy Elliott would pop out for “Nobody’s Perfect.” She didn’t show, but it was still a great performance.

Young Jeezy was a highlight of the entire night. You could see the passion as his played off some of his biggest cuts. That TM103 made a presence in a huge way. 2 Chainz joined him on stage to dive in to “SupaFreak.” Ne-Yo also showed up to perform “Leave You Alone.”

Big Sean was up next. I have never seen him perform live before, but he had some of the best energy of the night and also one of the most entertaining sets. At one point, a female assistant handed Sean a robe and a glass of chardonnay…the perfect opening to his single with Kanye West (although he was also overseas with Jay-Z). Sean also brought someone close to him out on stage to honor her – his mother. Pusha T and 2 Chainz helped him round out his successful time on stage.

These pictures were done for ALL HIP HOP.com – but I’m providing you all with the full gallery for your viewing pleasure. PLEASE link back to JDOTshots.com if you decide to utilize these on your blog, tumblr, site, etc. Thanks! 

Click each thumbnail to enlarge: