Though TIP wasn’t able to make it due to his legal issues, Wyclef still took to the stage and called the crowd to action, saying, “It’s Hip-Hop vs. America. The police are watching you.”

Somebody that looks like T.I. ran out onstage, but alas, it wasn’t TIP; it was just Katt Williams acting a fool as usual.

Clef then hit the crowd off with a guitar solo before Alfa Mega and a hooded Busta Rhymes came out to perform TIP’s newest single, “Hurt.”

Showing their support for T.I., the crowd stayed on their feet during the entire performance. The duo ended the performance by chanting, “Free TIP!”

Hurricane Chris, Lil Boosie, Webbie and Foxx repped Louisiana with a joint performance of Chris’s “Ay Bay Bay” and Boosie’s hit, “Wipe Me Down.” Kanye showed the south some love when he was spotted in the audience singing along.  

 Now it’s break time again. While DJ Drama keeps the records spinning, we took the downtime to check out who was in the audience.

We saw Benzino sliding into the room, while Tigga and “106 & Park” host Terrence used their break to squeeze “Flavor of Love” winner Delishus’s charmin.

Cee-lo made his way into the auditorium, while Pretty Ricky’s Pleasure was was spotted making his way to the restroom. Even though they were denying breakup rumors around Spring Bling time, we did note that Pleasure was rolling dolo. A quick search on wikipedia lists him as a former member of the sibling group. So is he or isn’t he? Things that make you go hmmmm…

Kid Capri just walked past the So So Def Afroman without batting an eye lol

NOT!

 Lauryn Hill wasn’t in the house, but Wyclef was joined onstage by actress Lauren London to present the “Lyricist of the Year’ Award. Were those boos I heard when Weezy’s name was announced? I wonder….

Nelly, Nelly, Nelly…

What else is there to say except milk does a body good! St. Louis’s finest broke out some new material, dancing with a female who bears a striking resemblance to his boo, Ashanti. mmmm….

Though Nelly had some mid-riff baring female dancers with him, a little girl who joined him onstage stole the show with her dance moves. Looks like the older dancers could’ve taken some pointers from Lil Ms. Thang

 We looked away long enough to see Ne-Yo creeping in. We see ya Ne-Yo!

David Banner popped up next to tell us about why he loves hip-hop so much. Banner’s clearly been getting his bowflex on because he was definitely looking a bit more buffed than usual. Judging by the screams in the audience, the ladies didn’t seem to mind much.

Banner got the approval of the men too when he held up a Michael Vick football jersey. I have no clue what he was saying, but being in Atlanta, it definitely was a good move to win the crowd over.

Keyshia Cole and Jermaine Dupri took to the stage next to present the “Move the Crowd” Award. Who took home the trophy? We won’t tell you but we will give you a hint–this rapper is known for his award show appearances

After a brief break, Lil Wayne gets it hot on stage–literally! Weezy’s set included oil barrels that shot out bursts of flames. From where we were sitting, the heat was seriously on. It’s definitely hot in hurre!

 But not too hot for the night’s star-studded audience. We peeped Crime Mob, Dr. Cornel West, former BET host AJ Calloway and more standing on their feet for Wayne’s performance

After a hectic red carpet, it’s finally time for the show to start. And who better t okick things off than Kanye West! The Louis Vuitton Don got things off to a banging start with his performance of “Good Life” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”

While on the red carpet, it was rumored that rapper T.I. was arrested at a Walgreen’s two blocks away from the Atlanta Civic Center. We wonder how this is going t oaffect tonight’s show, considering T.I.P. was slated to be joined by Wyclef Jean and Alfa Mega for the night’s grand finale. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes down tonight.

That’s the only word to describe the party tonight! But we’re still not done! We still have the show tomorrow…or is that today? Well, whenever it is, be sure to check back because what we saw tonight was just the half of the star-power that’s taking over the ATL this weekend.

Now we’re gonna get some sleep!

Some more shots from inside…

 mmm…I wonder if she’s related to the folks from “Hell Date?”