Videos

Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake Perform “History of Rap 6”

blame it on Patrick Glynn September 10, 2015

With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert debuting this week, Jimmy Fallon and NBC had to bring out the big guns to try and match Colbert in ratings. While Colbert brought out Scarlette Johanssen (he already wins), Elon Musk and Kendrick Lamar, who once again owned a late-night appearance, Jimmy Fallon brought out his best buddy, Justin Timberlake, to perform “History of Rap 6.” Ellen Degeneres showed up at some point, too.

They played classics from LL Cool J, NWA, Public Enemy, Biggie, R. Kelly and Nelly, flowing into the new school playings cuts from Kendrick Lamar, Kanye and Jay Z, Ace Hood and more. Watch that performance above.

The show closed out with more white people performing old-school rap with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis playing their newest single, “Downtown.” Although, in this performance, it was cool to see each of the old schoolers who originally performed on the song, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Cazz and Kool Moe Dee, got little verses in this live version. Watch them perform below.