NEW YORK, June 9 (UPI) -- Entertainer Hugh Jackman enlisted the help of rappers LL Cool J and T.I. to update a song from The Music Man at the Tony Awards ceremony in New York Sunday night.
Jackman, who was hosting the event for the fourth time, told the audience at Radio City Music Hall he had learned all of the parts to "Rock Island" decades ago in preparation for his first audition for a high-school production of The Music Man in his native Australia. He then demonstrated how he still remembered all the words to the fast-paced song. "If you think about it -- as I was doing my bad rap -- Broadway composer Meredith Willson may have actually written one of the first rap songs ever, back in 1957," Jackman said. "We're not in Sydney, Australia, anymore. We are in New York City and I think it's time we brought The Music Man into the 21st century. Please welcome LL Cool J and T.I."
