Surprise performances closed out a strong second half of the show. Click for my SHOTS:
What: 2012 Hot 97 Summer Jam
Where: East Rutherford, NJ
Venue: MetLife Stadium
When: June 3, 2012
Who: Nas, Lauryn Hill, Irv Gotti, Jungle, French Montana, Wale, Big Sean, Stalley, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, & Mase
Notes: The second half of Summer Jam really started with Jeezy’s set, but starting from Nas on – we really had some HUGE performances…literally and figuratively.
Nas wasn’t on the bill to originally perform, but it seems like he took over the main slot that Nicki Minaj failed to fill (but that’s another story). Well, I’m glad he took the role and owned it. Nas is a literal hip hop legend, so it’s always a pleasure to hear him perform classic cuts from illmatic. What’s even more classic, though?
BRINGING OUT LAURYN HILL!
The two artists performed “If I Ruled the World” together in an unforgettable hip hop moment. Ms. Hill also dove in to Fugees classic “Ready or Not” as well as “Lost Ones.” And like the enigma that she is, she was gone…
Next up: French Montana and the Coke Boys. French delivered another big guest appearance in the one and only Mase. Mase showed up to perform the remix to Wale’s “Slight Work” with French and Big Sean.
That Wale appearance transitioned smoothly in to the duo of Rick Ross and Philly’s Meek Mill making their way on to the main stage. “I’ma Boss,” “So Sophisticated,” and a number of cuts off of Mill’s Dream Chasers 2 mixtape rocked the crowd late in to the night.
Unfortunately, I had to leave toward the end of the Maybach Music set, but I read they closed the show out with appearances from Method Man and Raekwon.
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!
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