Wonder’s the Final Word at Beat Fest

Although the eighth annual 100.3 the Beat Summer Jam on Sunday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater featured a slew of contemporary hip-hop and R&B; artists, it was the surprise appearance by a legendary veteran that allowed the event to achieve its stated purpose: “Unity Through Music.”

Though such acts as Lil’ Kim, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Eve, Next and Ideal had most of the younger fans grooving in the aisles all day, the show-closing 35-minute set from Stevie Wonder and his band had both young and old reveling in the splendor of such classics as “Superstition” and “Ribbon in the Sky.”

Wonder told the crowd that he heard about the concert, whose proceeds are donated to charity, and wanted to be included in the celebration of music.

His contribution was the highlight of the 10-hour, 17-act bill, demonstrating how music can unite fans of all ages and backgrounds.

Earlier, it was clearly ladies’ day, with the best performances coming either from strong, confident female rappers or male R&B; singers who cater to female fans with their steamy songs.

Although Lil’ Kim established herself as a credible rapper with her debut album, 1996’s “Hard Core,” she has become a major spectacle because of her eye-grabbing outfits and her frank sexual raps. On Sunday she maintained her image on both fronts, storming the stage in pink shorts, halter top and boots and performing a relentless onslaught of sexually charged raps.

The Brooklyn-based entertainer, who was the sold-out show’s headliner, delivered animated renditions of such dance-friendly cuts as “Get Money” and “Crush on You.” She was joined by Lil’ Cease and others on stage, but Kim kept the spotlight on herself as she frantically paced the stage and played to the crowd at every opportunity.

Kim revisited many of her early hits in her 35-minute set, performing only two songs from her new album, “The Notorious K.I.M.,” a commercial and critical disappointment.

More than four hours before Kim took the stage, Chicago rapper Da Brat and her producer, Dupri, tag-teamed for a rousing 20-minute set. Da Brat ripped through a number of songs from her three albums before introducing 13-year-old Lil’ Bow Wow.

Sporting a Kobe Bryant jersey, the 13-year-old rapper, who has a Top 10 hit single with “Bounce With Me,” enjoyed a warm reception from the crowd and earned points with the type of tongue-twisting raps that are normally reserved for the genre’s more seasoned artists.

Eve also stood out, and it wasn’t because her hair was red. The Philadelphia rapper closed her 15-minute set with “Love Is Blind,” an anthem in which she demanded that men stop abusing women and urged women to refuse to be treated unfairly. In an era when most rappers are criticized for not having a message, Eve has positioned herself as a spokeswoman of sorts, even if most of her music focuses on the rap staples money, violence and braggadocio.

Male R&B; groups Ideal and Next, backed by provocative female dancers, delivered solid, well-choreographed sets at the beginning of the day. Most of the bill’s male hip-hop acts, from De La Soul to Common to Ghostface Killah to Mos Def, had a hard time connecting with fans and were unable to gain any sort of lasting momentum during their sets.

Overall, however, KKBT’s “Unity Through Music” banner was upheld. With the sets from Wonder and Lil’ Kim ending the day, Summer Jam 2000 concluded as a success.