VH1 will broadcast the fifth annual "VH1 Hip-Hop Honors" on Oct. 6. Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan will host the event.
Since the first ceremony in 2004, VH1 has continued to honor hip-hop artists and contributors from the 1980s and early '90s.
Past hosts of the event include Vivica A. Fox, MC Lyte, Russell Simmons, Rev Run and Ice T.
This year, the ceremony will take place on Oct. 2 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
The show features performances from both the honorees and new school artists inspired by the honorees.
Featured artists include Li'l Wayne, Big Boi, Q-Tip, Bun B, MC Lyte, Biz Markie, Kid Rock and Wyclef Jean. Additional appearances are yet to be announced.
Honored artists include 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., A Tribe Called Quest and Public Enemy.
Also honored are Salt 'N' Pepa, LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Slick Rick, Too $hort and the Sugarhill Gang, among several others.
Though the show has grown in popularity, some hip-hop fans say they would like to see a wider range of hip-hop styles.
Terrell Williams, a freshman Economics major, said, "[The first] show was general, but now it's more specific.
He continued, "I would like them to go deeper by honoring more unknown artists from lesser known hip-hop regions."
In addition, freshman electrical engineering major Chukwuma Agubokwu said, "I feel like it may have been started with good intentions. I trust VH1 more than other outlets, so I have a positive view of the show."
She added, "I feel like some things come off rough because some artists do not accurately represent the honors."
Agubokwu also said that it would be great if the show would promote more upcoming artists in hip-hop.
Fans of the show praise "VH1 Hip-Hop Honors" because they are proud to see hip-hop legends get the recognition they may not get in the mainstream.
"I think it's great they [honor hip hop]. They represent...real hip-hop and its origin," said Bianca Crain, a freshman international business major.
"I was really happy to see them honor Sugarhill Gang because 'Rapper's Delight' is basically where it all started," Crain added.
"I feel like the right people get honored," Agubokwu said. "[But] I feel like there are people [who] should have gotten the honor before others."
Viewers of "VH1 Hip-Hop Honors" expressed that the show has the potential to receive the same prestige that other honors such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have, but they insist that only time and hip-hop itself will decide if that happens.
"'Hip-Hop Honors' is like a school seeking accreditation. But it has a lot of support from the hip-hop community," Agubokwu said.
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