Best friend duo Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon reunited on the Tonight Show Wednesday night for the 6th and latest installment of their well-loved "History of Rap" performances. The two opened the show with R. Kelly's "Fiesta" before launching into celebrated hip-hop songs throughout the decades.
"History of Rap" highlights hip-hop hits over the last thirty years, spanning LL Cool J's "Rock the Bells" and Whodini's "Friends" to Fetty Wap's "My Way" and Drake's "Know Yourself." As NME notes, Fallon and Timberlake paid homage to rap groups like N.W.A, Wu-Tang Clan and Public Enemy as they launched into hits like "Informer" and "U Can't Touch This" before traveling to more recent times, touching upon songs by Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean.
September of 2010 marked the first official "History of Rap" as its yearly installments continue to see wide praise. Fallon promised in March of 2013 that the fourth medley would be the last performance, yet the dynamic duo continued to deliver volume five in 2014, Rolling Stone notes.
Aside from the rap-centered opening, the show also saw an appearance from Ellen Degeneres who was ready to face Fallon head on for a lip sync battle. The host tackled the Killer's "Mr Brightside" before ending with his final performance of "Watch Me" by Silento, displaying impeccable mastery of the nae nae and the whip. Degeneres performed the slow 70s track titled "Do You Know Where You're Going To" by Diana Ross, later stealing the show with a rendition of Rihanna's "B*tch Better Have My Money."
"History of Rap 6" in running order:
R. Kelly & Jay Z - "Fiesta"
LL Cool J - "Rock The Bells"
Whodini - "Friends"
Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh - "La Di Da Di"
Public Enemy - "Fight the Power"
NWA - "Straight Outta Compton"
Salt-N-Pepa - "Let's Talk About Sex"
MC Hammer - "U Can't Touch This"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - "Summertime"
Wu-Tang Clan - "CREAM"
Notorious B.I.G. (feat. Puff Daddy & Mase) - "Mo Money Mo Problems"
Snow - "Informer"
Nelly - "Country Grammar"
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony - "Crossroads"
R. Kelly - "Ignition (Remix)"
Chris Brown - "Look at Me Now"
Kendrick Lamar - "B*tch Don't Kill My Vibe"
Drake - "Know Yourself"
Big Sean - "I Don't F*** With You"
Jay Z & Kanye West - "Otis"
Fetty Wap - "My Way"
Ace Hood (feat. Future Rick Ross) - "Bugatti"
Beastie Boys - "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)"
