Nelly’s Black & White Ball Brought the Stars to St. Louis [PHOTOS]

JON GITCHOFF

The stars were out Sunday night for Nelly’s Black & White Ball. The annual event, which benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation, was attended by a who’s who of hip-hop luminaries, local celebrities and St. Louis sports legends and hosted by Nelly and Ashanti (back together!).

Music industry heavyweights Monica, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Murphy Lee, Big Boss Vette and several others were on hand, as were former Cardinals Ozzie Smith, Jim Edmonds and Jon Jay and Greatest Show on Turf-era champs Orlando Pace and Torry Holt.

A-listers mingled among several drink stations, an artist who drew their caricatures on napkins, and body-jewelry specialists who added extra bedazzlement to willing guests.

Inside the dinner, attendees were treated to a short set of dance-funk hits by local party-band legends Dirty Muggs, a video montage of Ozzie Smith highlights followed by remarks by the Wizard himself and a presentation to Make-a-Wish families in which Nelly announced college scholarships and trips to Disney World.

Then came an electrifying surprise as DMC took the stage along with DJ Charlie Chan to storm through a min-set of old-school Run-DMC classics, including “Peter Piper” and a roof-raising “Walk This Way.”

Later, tables were cleared for a late-night party that featured a set from Wyclef Jean, who packed a lot — rapping, singing, reggaeton guitar, dancing, even a handstand — into a 45-minute set that included hits “Guantanamera” and “We Trying to Stay Alive.”

Finally, the man of the hour, Nelly, held forth, along with a stageful of friends who joined in on jubilant versions of tailfeather-shaking hits and party favorites that took the exclusive black-tie event deep into the night.

Scroll down for all the highlights.