Ice-T takes Grammys stage with Missy Elliot, Run DMC, Nelly and more | USA TODAY

Hours before taking the stage with dozens of iconic hip-hop artists on the 2023 Grammys stage, rapper Ice-T said he almost declined the invitation.

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The 65th Grammy Awards celebrated 50 years of hip-hop with a blow-out performance, kicked off by LL Cool J, that featured dozens of icons spanning generations performing onstage.

The celebration of the genre was a joyous medley of classics paying homage to the greats, jumping from its early days with Grandmaster Flash, Run-DMC and LL Cool J to Queen Latifah's "U.N.I.T.Y." and Nelly's "Hot in Herre" before moving forward to the present day with songs from Lil Baby and GloRilla.

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