[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=16_yrb-xJUU]
First things first: It’s Goodie Mob, not “Cee-Lo Green and Goodie Mob,” as host Ty Burrell introduces them. It’s understandable that someone may make that assumption given that the other group members were merely playing backup to Cee-Lo’s larger-than-life creation as they performed “Fight to Win.” But long before Gnarls Barkley and The Voice, Goodie Mob was a legendary Atlanta rap group that helped shape hip hop. “Fight to Win” is the group’s first track together in years, and sadly it does little to capture the collective’s legacy more than it does Cee-Lo’s own indulgence.
The performance also heavily featured Jean Sok, a one-legged dancer from Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson Immortal show. Sok was pretty mesmerizing to watch, and probably salvaged the rest of that number.
The group finally hit their stride with the Beastie Boys tribute for the late Adam “MCA” Yauch, performing “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party!).” Donning all-white Adidas tracksuits, they brought the crowd to their feet and even got Carrie Underwood singing along to every word. It was a straightforward performance that didn’t need any more theatrics (besides the bouncing ’80s-inspired dancers). Like any raucous party, Cee-Lo broke a “bottle” against his head to end the song. Well, sure. Party on.