BET Networks today announced the outstanding list of nominees for the annual BET HIP HOP AWARDS. Leading the pack is the "Lollipop man" Lil' Wayne with an astounding 12 nominations, followed by Kanye West with 8 nods and Jay Z with 6 nods. There is no comparison. This years' BET HIP HOP AWARDS will be the preeminent hip-hop event of the season! Hosted by the one and only Katt Williams, the awards will tape on Saturday, October 18 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and premiere on the network on Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m.*
Lil' Wayne has had an extraordinary year and now has 12 record-breaking BET HIP HOP AWARDS nominations to prove it. Chosen from an illustrious group of music and entertainment executives, he's been nominated for Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year, Hustler of the Year, CD of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, Best Live Performer, Best Collaboration, Best Ringtone, Alltel Wireless People's Champ and two consecutive nominations for Track of the Year with his hits "A Milli" and "Lollipop".
This year, BET Networks will also honor Russell Simmons with the "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award. The "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award is presented by BET Networks to an individual who, during their lifetime, has made notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip hop community. Simmons, recently named by USA Today as one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years," is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist who has been a trailblazer in the areas of music, fashion, television and film. He devotes over 50% of his time to philanthropic causes, focused on putting an end to poverty and ignorance. The co-founder of DefJam Records, the founder of Phat Fashions, Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam and his new Argyle Culture and Atman fashion collections, Simmons has been a hip-hop pioneer, bringing its culture to the American mainstream. It is for these reasons we celebrate his life and highlight his achievements. In a year as significant as this, let's continue to bring change and honor an individual who's committed to making a difference.
The BET HIP HOP AWARDS returns with its Hot 16 challenge (www.bet.com/hot16), a partnership with BET.com, uber-producer Jermaine Dupri and MySpace in which users will enter an online rap battle for a chance to win a VIP trip for four (4) to the 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS and an in-studio session with Dupri. Online viewers have until Monday, September 15 to vote for their favorite entries and help determine the five (5) finalists. The finalists' videos will then be posted on BET.com on Wednesday, September 17 for users to vote for their favorite before Wednesday, September 24, with Jermaine Dupri determining the grand prize winner. The Alltel Wireless Peoples Champ voting will start on BET.com and BET Mobile Friday, September 19th - users can pick their favorite artist and video! For all BET HIP HOP AWARDS information, log on to www.bet.com/hiphopawards.
This year, BET once again teams up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen G. Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.
*All times ET/PT
Following are the nominees and categories for the 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS:
2008 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominees
Best Hip Hop Video
David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc - Get Like Me
Common - I Want You
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross - I'm So Hood (The Remix)
Lil' Wayne f/ Static - Lollipop
Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction
Kanye West f/ T-Pain - Good Life
Best Hip Hop Collabo
David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc - Get Like Me
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross - I'm So Hood (The Remix)
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain - Low
Plies f/ Ne-Yo - Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Kanye West f/ T-Pain - Good Life
Best Live Performer
Busta Rhymes
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West
Lyricist of the Year
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
Nas
T.I.
Kanye West
Video Director of the Year
Gil Green
R. Malcolm Jones
Rage
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams
Producer of the Year
Akon
Bangladesh
David Banner
J.R. Rotem
The Runners
MVP of the Year
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West
Track of the Year
A Milli - Lil' Wayne produced by Bangladesh
Dey Know - Shawty Lo produced by Balis Beatz
Good Life - Kanye West f/ T-Pain produced by Kanye West and DJ Toomp
Lollipop - Lil' Wayne f/ Static produced by Jim Jonsin & Deezle
Roc Boys (And the Winner Is) - Jay-Z produced by Sean Combs & The Hitmen
CD of the Year
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III
Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool"
Nas - Untitled
Kanye West - Graduation
Rookie of the Year
Ace Hood
Flo Rida
Maino
Rocko
Shawty Lo
DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Felli Fel
DJ Khaled
DJ Tony Neal
DJ Greg Street
Hustler of the Year
50 Cent
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
P. Diddy
Alltel Wireless People's Champ Nominees
Lil' Wayne - A Milli
Lupe Fiasco f/ Matthew Santos - Superstar
Plies f/ Ne-Yo - Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rick Ross f/ Nelly and Avery Storm - Here I Am
Young Jeezy f/ Kanye West - Put On
Yung Berg f/ Casha - The Business
Hottest Hip Hop Ringtone of the Year
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain - Low
Lil' Wayne f/ Static - Lollipop
Plies f/ Ne-Yo - Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rocko - Umma Do Me
Yung Berg f/ Casha - The Business
Best UK Hip Hop Act
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
Ghetto
Giggs
Skepta
Wiley
