[Submitted via press release]
Snapshots of the ceremony tribute to Chris Lighty.Kanye West retained his throne at the BET HIP HOP AWARDS, winning an impressive 7 awards, including Best Live Performer and Producer of the Year, at the seventh annual awards held in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday (9 October).
2 Chainz had a great night too, taking home three trophies, including the People's Champ Award and Rookie of the Year as well as performing at the show. Rick Ross beat heavy-hitter Jay-Z for MVP of the Year, but Hov's business acumen earned him the Hustler of the Year title.
A broadcast of the awards premieres across Africa on Saturday 13 October on TOPTV (Channel 190) at 21:00 CAT (repeated Wednesday 17 October at 23:00 CAT).
Kendrick Lamar provided the biggest upset of the night when the rookie rapper bested veterans Nas, Jay-Z and Kanye West for Lyricist of the Year, while Drake and Lil Wayne earned the top spot in the Video of the Year category for their "HYFR" clip.
Hosted by US funnyman Mike Epps, the awards delivered an exceptional night filled with Hip Hop’s biggest stars and highly anticipated performances. Wiz Khalifa opened the show with a performance of “Work Hard / Play Hard” featuring Juicy J and Young Jeezy accompanied by a live band.
Closing out the show with pure star power, Violator artists reunited on stage in honour of late music mogul, Chris Lighty - a Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star, 50 Cent and Joe paid their respects during an unforgettable performance with some of Violator Music’s biggest hits and Chris Lighty’s personal favourites.
Rakim was presented and honoured by his peers with this year’s I AM HIP HOP ICON award for his seemingly effortless style and delivery that stems not just from Hip Hop, but from Jazz and R&B influences.
Always a key highlight at the awards are “The Cyphers” - short black and white clips in which the best emcees in the business show off their best freestyling skills.
Among this year’s Cyphers were Snoop Dogg, T.I., DMX, A$AP Rocky, Cassidy, Mystikal, Talib Kweli, B.o.B, Eve, Boy Jones, Brianna Perry, Childish Gambino, Chipmunk, Lil Chuckee, The Kid Daytona, Driicky Graham, E-40, YG, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Joey Bada$$, K’La, Kendrick Lamar, Kosha Dillz; Kurupt; Mac Miller, Mystikal, Murda Mook, DJ Quik, RZA, ScHoolboy Q, Tito Lopez, Trae Tha Truth, Xzibit, Angel Haze and Ab-Soul.
The winners of the BET Hip Hop Awards are (in red):
Best Hip-Hop Video:
2 Chainz feat. Drake – ‘No Lie’
A$AP Rocky – ‘Goldie’
Drake feat. Lil Wayne – ‘HYFR’Wale feat. Miguel – ‘Lotus Flower Bomb’
Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Pusha T – ‘Mercy’
Reese’s Perfect Combo Award:
2 Chainz Feat. Drake – ‘No Lie’
Drake Feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘The Motto’
J. Cole Feat. Missy Elliott – ‘Nobody’s Perfect’
Wale Feat. Miguel – ‘Lotus Flower Bomb’
Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Pusha T – ‘Mercy’
Best Live Performer:A$AP Rocky
Drake
J. Cole
The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West)Kanye West
Lyricist of the Year:J. Cole
Jay-Z
Kendrick LamarNas
Kanye West
Video Director of the Year:A$AP Rocky and Sam
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Kanye West
Hype WilliamsProducer of the Year:Hit-Boy
J. Cole
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
No I.D.
Kanye WestMVP of the Year:2 Chainz
J. Cole
Jay-Z
Rick RossKanye West
Track of the Year:‘Cashin’ Out’ – Ca$h Out
‘I’ma Boss’ – Meek Mill feat. Rick Ross
‘Ni**as in Paris’ – The Throne‘No Lie’ – 2 Chainz feat. Drake
‘The Motto’ – Drake feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga
CD of the Year:‘The Dreamer, The Believer’ – Common
‘Take Care’ – Drake
‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’ – J. Cole
‘Watch The Throne’ – Jay-Z and Kanye West‘Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition’ – Young Jeezy
DJ of the Year:DJ Drama
DJ Enuff
DJ Envy
Funkmaster Flex
DJ KhaledRookie of the Year:2 ChainzA$AP Rocky
Ca$h Out
Future
Meek Mill
Made You Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style):2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Nicki Minaj
Kanye WestBest Club Banger:‘Cashin’ Out’ (Ca$h Out)
‘The Motto’ – Drake feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga
‘Same Damn Time’ – Future
‘Ni**as in Paris’ – The Throne‘Mercy’ – Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Pusha T
Best Mixtape:
‘LiveLoveA$AP’ – A$AP Rocky
’1999′ – Joey Bada$$
‘Dreamchasers 2′ – Meek Mill‘Rich Forever’ – Rick Ross
‘Taylor Allderdice’ – Wiz Khalifa
Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse:2 Chainz – ‘Mercy’P. Diddy – ‘Same Damn Time (Remix)’
Drake – ‘Stay Schemin”
Ludacris – ‘Same Damn Time (Remix)’
T.I. – ‘Magic (Remix)’
Hustler of the Year:2 Chainz
Jay-ZLil Wayne
Rick Ross
Kanye West
Impact Track:‘Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)’ – Lupe Fiasco
‘Bitch Bad’ – Lupe Fiasco
‘Daughters’ – Nas‘Murder to Excellence’ – The Throne
People’s Champ Award:2 Chainz feat. Drake – ‘No Lie’Driicky Graham – ‘Snapbacks & Tattoos’
Meek Mill feat. Rick Ross – ‘I’ma Boss’
The Throne – ‘Ni**as in Paris’
Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Pusha T – ‘Mercy’