The 25 Best Summer Jam Moments

With Summer Jam 2012 right around the corner, we rewind the annual concert's most legendary highlights.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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With Summer Jam 2012 right around the corner, we rewind the annual concert's most legendary highlights.

Billed as the "biggest hip-hop concert in the world," Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam has become a hip-hop institution. For almost two decades the New York station has played host to rap’s greatest stars (Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, 50 Cent and many many more) as they created history.

MCs understood the importance of that Summer Jam stage, so when it came time to show and prove, MFs made sure to bring their A-game. And we’re not just talking great performances and stuntastic guest appearances—we're talking controversy, beef and even a lil’ nudity.

With this year’s show set to go down on Sunday, June 3, at Giants stadium, Complex is counting down our 25 favorite Summer Jam moments. Shouts to the whole Hot 97 family—especially our girl Miss Info, former head honcho Tracy Cloherty and longtime production manager Paddy Duke. Ayo Flex, drop a bomb on ’em.

Written by Jesse Gissen (@JesseGissen)

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25. DJ Khaled Wins With Rick Ross, T-Pain, Nicki Minaj, Cam'ron & More (2010)

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24. LL Cool J Rocks the Bells with D-Block (2008)

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23. Nicki Minaj Dominates (2010)

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22. Destiny's Child Barely Survives (2001)

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21. Busta Rhymes Brings out Mariah Carey, Diddy & More (2003)

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20. Aaliyah Almost Misses Her Set (2000)

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19. Kanye West Brings Out Jay-Z (2005)

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18. Trey Songz Makes Out With Underage Fan Onstage (2010)

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17. Big Pun Performs With Terror Squad (1998)

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16. Busta Rhymes Resurrects Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick & Rakim (2006)

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15. 50 Cent Walks Offstage (2004)

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14. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg & Eminem Tear the Roof Off (2000)

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13. Lil' Kim's Breast Escapes (2003)

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12. Wu-Tang Disses Hot 97 On Their Own Show (1997)

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11. Puff Daddy Performs With The Bad Boy Family (1997)

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10. Jay-Z Disses 50 Cent (1999)

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9. God's Son Bails; Ja Rule and Cam Save The Day (2002)

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8. Kanye West Challenges Swizz to a Beat Battle (2007)

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7. Game Throws His G-Unit Chain Into The Crowd (2005)

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6. T-Pain Hops On Stage As Jay-Z Performs "D.O.A." (2009)

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5. Eminem Smashes Source Award (2003)

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4. 50 Cent Humiliates Ja Rule & Irv Gotti (2003)

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3. The Notorious B.I.G. Classes Up the Joint (1995)

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2. Jay-Z Sons Prodigy (2001)

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1. Jay-Z Brings Out Michael Jackson (2001)

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