Posted by | Ray Cornelius
The BET “Hip Hop Awards” aired Tuesday night and Kendrick Lamar and DJ Khaled came out on top as the night’s biggest winners despite Drake having the most nominations. The event was taped two weeks ago at the show’s new home—The Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, GA.
Both Lamar and Khaled tied with three wins each; DJ Khaled wins “DJ of the Year”, “MVP of the Year”, and undoubtedly the “Hustler of the Year” award; Kendrick Lamar wins “Lyricist of the Year”, “Best Live Performer, and “Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse” for his verse in Beyoncé’s “Freedom”.
Chance The Rapper picked up two awards including “Best New Hip-Hop Artist” and “Best Mixtape”. Drake also won two awards including “Album of the Year” and “Best Hip-Hop Video” for “Hotline Bling”. And Travis Scott is crowned with the “People’s Champ Award”. Music icon Snoop Dogg was presented with the coveted “I Am Hip Hop Award” from fellow West Coast rapper, Kendrick Lamar.
Stand out performances included T.I.’s moving and politically charged song “We Will Not”; Gucci Mane made his return to the big stage with Travis Scott, Young Thug and Quavo. O.T. Genasis kept the high energy going with his performance and Brooklyn’s own Young M.A. brought the crowd to their feet with “Ooouuu”.
LeCrae and Big K.R.I.T. performed “Power of Rap” freestyles that were passionate and thought-provoking. Other “must see” performances included Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, Big Baby D.R.A.M., Dae Dae and Isaiah Rashad.
Check out the complete list of winners below:
Best Hip-Hop Video
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Best Collabo, Duo or Group
Fat Joe & Remy Ma ft. French Montana & Infared – “All The Way Up”
Best Live Performer
Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist of the Year
Kendrick Lamar
Video Director of the Year
Director X
DJ of the Year
DJ Khaled
Producer of the Year
Metro Boomin
MVP of the Year
DJ Khaled
Track of the Year
“All The Way Up” – Produced By Cool & Dre and Edsclusive (Fat Joe & Remy Ma ft. French Montana & Infared)
Album of the Year
Drake – “Views”
Best New Hip-Hop Artist
Chance the Rapper
Hustler of the Year
DJ Khaled
Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)
Kanye West
Best Hip-Hop Online Site/ App
COMPLEX.com
Best Mixtape
Chance the Rapper – “Coloring Book”
Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse
Kendrick Lamar – “Freedom” (Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar)
Impact Track
J. Cole – “Love Yourz”
People’s Champ Award
Travis Scott – “Antidote”
Photo Credit: RayCornelius.com