LL Cool J to Get 'The Message' on Grammy Nomination Special

Kevin Winter, Getty ImagesThere's nothing like a song about poverty, prostitution, drugs, murder and overriding hopelessness to kick off the lead-up to "music's biggest night."

On Wednesday's (Nov. 30) hour-long 'Grammy Nominations Concert Live,' set to air on CBS, LL Cool J, Common, Lupe Fiasco and Rick Ross will join hip-hop icons Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel and Scorpio in performing their 1982 classic 'The Message.'

The track was recently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and while the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences doesn't have the best track record with rap music -- it took them until 1989 to begin honoring the genre -- 'The Message' is certainly a deserving track.

With its hard-hitting lyrics and enduring chorus -- "It's like a jungle sometimes/ It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under" -- the song will give LL and the gang plenty to sink their teeth into.

Other artists slated to take the stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles for Wednesday's nomination celebration include Rihanna, Ludacris and Usher. In addition to rapping as part of the 'Message' tribute, LL will hold down hosting duties.

The 'Grammy Nominations Concert Live' airs at 10PM EST on CBS. The 54th Grammy Awards air at 8PM EST on Feb. 12, 2012.

Watch Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's Video for 'The Message'