Mike Epps will host this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards show, which will take place in Atlanta next month, honoring artists and producers who’ve contributed most to the Hip Hop genre in the past year. Kanye West received the most nominations, with a whopping nine nods including a recognition for best lyricist, and 808s and Heartbreak look for CD of the Year. Jay-Z [click to read] and Lil Wayne trail close behind with seven nominations including those for Track of the Year and rap’s MVP. Drake, Wale, and Kid Cudi [click to read] will go head to head for the Rookie of the Year honor while Eminem‘s Relapse vies for best album.
Ice Cube [click to read] will also be honored with the “I Am Hip Hop” icon award for his contributions to Hip Hop, and for his work outside of music including film and philanthropy. He will join Grandmaster Flash,KRS-One, and Russell Simmons as the fourth recipient of the award.
In addition to the mentioned awards, BET will introduce two new accolades. The “Made-You-Look” award will go to the rapper with a knack for trendsetting, and the “Best Hip Hop Blog Site” will be given to the most up-to-date Hip Hop Blog. BET‘s Hip Hop Awards ’09 will broadcast on Oct. 27, at 8 P.M. ET. Nominees in each category are listed below.
Best Hip-Hop Collabo
Jim Jones & Ron Browz f/ Juelz Santana – Pop Champagne
Lil Wayne f/ Bobby Valentino – Mrs. Officer
Rick Ross f/ John Legend – Magnificent
T.I. f/ Rihanna – Live Your Life
Young Jeezy f/ Kanye West – Put On
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Best Live Performer
Busta Rhymes
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West
Lyricist of the Year
Drake
Eminem
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
Kanye West
Video Director of the Year
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams
Producer of the Year
Ron Browz
Cool & Dre
Tha Bizness
T-Pain
Kanye West
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Track of the Year
Day “N” Nite – Kid Cudi
D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune) – Jay-Z
Every Girl – Young Money (Lil Wayne, Drake, Jae Mills, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine)
Live Your Life – T.I. f/ Rihanna
Turn My Swag On – Soulja Boy Tell’em
CD of the Year
Eminem – Relapse
Q-Tip – The Renaissance
T.I. – Paper Trail
Kanye West – 808’s & Heartbreak
Young Jeezy – The Recession
Rookie of the Year
B.O.B.
Dorrough
Drake
Kid Cudi
Wale
Best Hip-Hop Video
Dorrough – Ice Cream Paint Job
Eminem – We Made You
Jay-Z – D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune)
Kid Cudi – Day “N” Nite
T.I. f/ Rihanna – Live Your Life
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MVP of the Year
Drake
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West
DJ of the Year
DJ AM
DJ Drama
DJ Khaled
DJ Tony Neal
DJ Greg Street
Hustler of the Year
Diddy
Drake
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
Kanye West
Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)
Jay-Z
Kid Cudi
Lil Wayne
Soulja Boy Tell’em
Kanye West
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Best Hip-Hop Blog Site
All Hip Hop
Nah Right
SOHH
This Is 50
World Star Hip Hop
People’s Champ (Viewers Choice)
Dorrough – Ice Cream Paint Job
Fabolous f/ The-Dream – Throw It In The Bag
Kid Cudi – Day “N” Nite
Soulja Boy Tell’em – Turn My Swag On
Kanye West f/ Young Jeezy – Amazing
