Jimmy Fallon's Greatest Hip Hop Moments

Memorable musical highlights from the late night show.

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon's Greatest Hip Hop Moments - TV's longest-running regularly scheduled entertainment show officially has a new host. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon debuted last night (Feb. 17) on NBC with Fallon joined by a slew of celebrities including Will Smith, with whom he did the Kid-N-Play, the stanky leg, and the Carlton — among more memorable moves — for a bit called the "Evolution of Hip Hop Dancing." It's an indication that Fallon — whose house band is the Roots — shows no signs of derailing the connection he's built with culture. Meanwhile, check out some of his best hip hop moments from the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon vaults. (Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

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Late Night With Jimmy Fallon's Greatest Hip Hop Moments - TV's longest-running regularly scheduled entertainment show officially has a new host. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon debuted last night (Feb. 17) on NBC with Fallon joined by a slew of celebrities including Will Smith, with whom he did the Kid-N-Play, the stanky leg, and the Carlton — among more memorable moves — for a bit called the "Evolution of Hip Hop Dancing." It's an indication that Fallon — whose house band is the Roots — shows no signs of derailing the connection he's built with culture. Meanwhile, check out some of his best hip hop moments from the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon vaults. (Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

Drake Debuts "Too Much" - Just a few weeks before the release of his third album, Nothing Was the Same, this past September, Drake hit the Fallon stage to debut "Too Much." The song proved to be the most personal and heartfelt on the album, and his revealing performance was no different. (Photo: NBC) 

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Drake Debuts "Too Much" - Just a few weeks before the release of his third album, Nothing Was the Same, this past September, Drake hit the Fallon stage to debut "Too Much." The song proved to be the most personal and heartfelt on the album, and his revealing performance was no different. (Photo: NBC) 

Kanye West Performs "Bound 2," Disses Ray J - Kanye West rocked Fallon for his first live performance of “Bound 2,” a fan favorite from 2013’s Yeezus. Not only was it notable for this, as well as that it was Yeezy’s debut on the program, but he also changed the opening lyrics to take a shot at Ray J: “Brandy little sister a lame, he know it now.”(Photo: NBC) 

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Kanye West Performs "Bound 2," Disses Ray J - Kanye West rocked Fallon for his first live performance of “Bound 2,” a fan favorite from 2013’s Yeezus. Not only was it notable for this, as well as that it was Yeezy’s debut on the program, but he also changed the opening lyrics to take a shot at Ray J: “Brandy little sister a lame, he know it now.”(Photo: NBC) 

Black Thought Freestyles About Audience Members - One of the best traits of the show is its ability to flawlessly combine music and comedy. Fallon put the Roots’ talents on full display for a freestyle segment last year. The host conducted brief interviews with audience members, which was enough for Black Thought to spit spontaneously about them while the band riffed off the top, too.(Photo: NBC) 

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Black Thought Freestyles About Audience Members - One of the best traits of the show is its ability to flawlessly combine music and comedy. Fallon put the Roots’ talents on full display for a freestyle segment last year. The host conducted brief interviews with audience members, which was enough for Black Thought to spit spontaneously about them while the band riffed off the top, too.(Photo: NBC) 

Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake Perform "The History of Rap" - Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake’s “History of Rap” melodies have become viral video sensations. The two friends, backed by the Roots, perform brief couplets of some of rap’s most memorable songs — something they’ve done four separate times now. (Photo: NBC) 

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Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake Perform "The History of Rap" - Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake’s “History of Rap” melodies have become viral video sensations. The two friends, backed by the Roots, perform brief couplets of some of rap’s most memorable songs — something they’ve done four separate times now. (Photo: NBC) 

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Melle Mel Performs "The Message" - What other late night show is going to invite Melle Mel on to perform “The Message”? That’s some true hip hop ish. Unfortunately, the performance wasn't played on air, but the show did release the video online. (Photo: NBC) 

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Melle Mel Performs "The Message" - What other late night show is going to invite Melle Mel on to perform “The Message”? That’s some true hip hop ish. Unfortunately, the performance wasn't played on air, but the show did release the video online. (Photo: NBC) 

Drake Plays Beer Hockey - Drinking games have become a staple on Fallon, and Drake was a player earlier this year when he and the host went head to head in beer hockey (Drizzy took the L). The rapper also recalled the first time he smoked weed — which happened to be the day he auditioned for Degrassi. (Photo: NBC) 

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Drake Plays Beer Hockey - Drinking games have become a staple on Fallon, and Drake was a player earlier this year when he and the host went head to head in beer hockey (Drizzy took the L). The rapper also recalled the first time he smoked weed — which happened to be the day he auditioned for Degrassi. (Photo: NBC) 

Frank Ocean Makes TV Debut - The excitement for Frank Ocean’s Def Jam debut, channel orange, was already in full effect when the singer hit the Fallon stage for his first televised performance. His memorable rendition of “Bad Religion” only added to that feeling.(Photo: NBC) 

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Frank Ocean Makes TV Debut - The excitement for Frank Ocean’s Def Jam debut, channel orange, was already in full effect when the singer hit the Fallon stage for his first televised performance. His memorable rendition of “Bad Religion” only added to that feeling.(Photo: NBC) 

Black Star Performs "Little Brother" - In early 2012, Mos Def and Talib Kweli reunited on Fallon to perform “Little Brother,” which was produced by J Dilla. Not only did Questlove explain the story behind the beat on the show, but he later tweeted what an honor it was to play it live. (Photo: NBC) 

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Black Star Performs "Little Brother" - In early 2012, Mos Def and Talib Kweli reunited on Fallon to perform “Little Brother,” which was produced by J Dilla. Not only did Questlove explain the story behind the beat on the show, but he later tweeted what an honor it was to play it live. (Photo: NBC) 

Lauryn Hill Honors Bob Marley - In May 2011, Fallon had “Bob Marley Week,” and invited Lauryn Hill to perform. The esteemed singer did her renditions of “Chances Are” and “Could You Be Loved.”(Photo: NBC) 

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Lauryn Hill Honors Bob Marley - In May 2011, Fallon had “Bob Marley Week,” and invited Lauryn Hill to perform. The esteemed singer did her renditions of “Chances Are” and “Could You Be Loved.”(Photo: NBC) 

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Odd Future Storms the Stage - The buzz was already building around Odd Future when they hit Fallon for Tyler, the Creator's and Hodgy Beats’ performance of “Sandwitches,” but their appearance really sped up that momentum. Their high-energy TV debut was capped by Tyler humping on Fallon’s back and even a guest appearance from Mos Def. (Photo: NBC) 

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Odd Future Storms the Stage - The buzz was already building around Odd Future when they hit Fallon for Tyler, the Creator's and Hodgy Beats’ performance of “Sandwitches,” but their appearance really sped up that momentum. Their high-energy TV debut was capped by Tyler humping on Fallon’s back and even a guest appearance from Mos Def. (Photo: NBC) 

Snoop Dogg Reads How the Grinch Stole Christmas - What could possibly be a better holiday gift than Uncle Snoop reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas, like he did on Fallon back in 2009? Nothing. (Photo: NBC) 

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Snoop Dogg Reads How the Grinch Stole Christmas - What could possibly be a better holiday gift than Uncle Snoop reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas, like he did on Fallon back in 2009? Nothing. (Photo: NBC) 

Brian Williams Raps "Regulate" - In a hilarious bit of editing, Fallon and his staff spliced up clips from NBC News anchor Brian Williams’ many broadcasts to create the perfect outcome: his rapping Warren G and Nate Dogg’s “Regulate.”(Photo: NBC)

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Brian Williams Raps "Regulate" - In a hilarious bit of editing, Fallon and his staff spliced up clips from NBC News anchor Brian Williams’ many broadcasts to create the perfect outcome: his rapping Warren G and Nate Dogg’s “Regulate.”(Photo: NBC)

The Roots Diss Michele Bachmann - In 2011, controversial Congresswoman Michele Bachmann came on Fallon for an interview. As they do with all guests, the Roots welcomed her with a song specially chosen for her appearance. The one they chose, though, "Lyin' A-- B----h" by Fishbone, got them in some hot water. Still, it was a moment that felt very hip hop. (Photo: Jason Kempin/NBCUniversal/Getty Images)

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The Roots Diss Michele Bachmann - In 2011, controversial Congresswoman Michele Bachmann came on Fallon for an interview. As they do with all guests, the Roots welcomed her with a song specially chosen for her appearance. The one they chose, though, "Lyin' A-- B----h" by Fishbone, got them in some hot water. Still, it was a moment that felt very hip hop. (Photo: Jason Kempin/NBCUniversal/Getty Images)

Barack Obama Slow Jams the News - One of Fallon’s most notable sketches is his "Slow Jam the News" bit, in which, backed by the musical stylings of the Roots, he and his guests would kick it about current events — with a sensual, R&B flair, of course. Last April, none other than President Barack "Let's Stay Together" Obama came on the show and took part.(Photo: NBC)

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Barack Obama Slow Jams the News - One of Fallon’s most notable sketches is his "Slow Jam the News" bit, in which, backed by the musical stylings of the Roots, he and his guests would kick it about current events — with a sensual, R&B flair, of course. Last April, none other than President Barack "Let's Stay Together" Obama came on the show and took part.(Photo: NBC)