Vh1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 raked in 2.2 million viewers, about double the amount that tuned in last year. For Vh1, this was the highest rated tentpole event since 2001's Concert for New York. For Hip Hop Honors, this was the highest premier of the show since it began.

The event, which was hosted by Tracy Morgan, honored many of Def Jam's greatest artists and executives as it paid homage to the label's 25 years of busisness. LL Cool J, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Ghostface, Method Man, The Beastie Boys and others were given their tributes while Wale, The Gym Class Heroes, KRS-One, Kid Rock, Eminem and The Roots all performed as well.

Vh1 also scored big with the lead-in for the event. Ratings for 50 Cent's Behind the Music episode helped it become the highest rated premier of the Behind the Music franchise since 2000's Faith Hill episode premiered.