LL COOL J kicked off the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas with a tribute-filled, four-decade-spanning performance.

LL COOL J opened the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 19 with a high-energy performance celebrating four decades in music. Starting with a video tribute of a young boy singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” he launched into his 1987 hit “I Need Love,” followed by a medley of classic tracks including “Doin’ It,” “All I Have,” “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “Murdergram Duex” with Eminem, and “G.O.A.T.” A video of Jennifer Lopez played during a nod to their 2002 collaboration. The performance highlighted his lasting influence in hip-hop and kicked off the two-night festival, which also featured Jelly Roll, BigXthaPlug, GloRilla, Tate McRae, and Bryan Adams. Highlights will air on Hulu on October 2.