BET marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards, and we were thrilled to be part of this milestone. We brought Culture Conversations to the vibrant Green Carpet, seizing the incredible opportunity to engage with a diverse range of talents. From the legendary DJ Marly Marl to the former hosts of BET’s Rap City, ATL Jacob, Hit Kidd, and notable figures like Vic Mensa, Scott Storch, Pretty Vee, Safaree, and the fresh cast of Basketball Wives Orlando, Fridayy, and many others.
This year, the annual BET Hip-Hop Awards featured a unique twist on the traditional red carpet, as it adopted a shade of green – a nod to the color of money. This choice felt fitting, symbolizing the financial aspects deeply intertwined with hip-hop’s evolution over the past five decades.
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Aired on Tuesday, the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards were hosted at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, and Kendrick Lamar emerged as the evening’s top honoree, clinching four awards. Following closely, Drake and 21 Savage, as well as Lil Durk and J. Cole, tied for the second-highest number of accolades, each earning two.
Guided by the charismatic Fat Joe, this year’s annual awards ceremony unveiled its full list of nominations last month. Notably, Cardi B and 21 Savage led the pack with the most nominations, both artists boasting appearances in an impressive 12 categories. Drake followed closely behind with nine nominations of his own.
Below, see how this year’s categories shook out, with the winners in bold.
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
- Drake
- Kendrick Lamar
- J. Cole
- 21 Savage
- Lil Uzi Vert
- Cardi B
- Burna Boy
- GloRilla
Song of the Year
- Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
- DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy, “God Did”
- Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock”
- Coi Leray, “Players”
- Latto feat. Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again”
- Drake & 21 Savage, “Rich Flex”
- Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage, “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”
- GloRilla & Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2″
Hip-Hop Album of the Year
- GloRilla, Anyways, Life’s Great…
- Coi Leray, Coi
- DJ Khaled, God Did
- Drake & 21 Savage, Her Loss
- Metro Boomin, Heroes & Villains
- Jack Harlow, Jackman
- Lil Uzi Vert, Pink Tape
- Megan Thee Stallion, Traumazine
Best Hip-Hop Video
- Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock”
- Coi Leray, “Players” (DJ Smallz 732 – Jersey Club Remix)
- Latto feat. Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again”
- DaBaby, “Shake Sumn”
- Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage, “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”
- Drake & 21 Savage, “Spin Bout U”
- GloRilla & Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2″
Best Collaboration
- “All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
- DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy, “God Did”
- Coi Leray feat. Busta Rhymes, “Players” (DJ Saige Remix)
- Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj, “Princess Diana” ‘
- Latto feat. Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again”
- Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage, “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”
- GloRilla & Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2″
Impact Track
- Nas, “30,” Nas
- Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
- Megan Thee Stallion, “Anxiety”
- Symba, “Can’t Win for Nothing”
- NLE Choppa, “Champions”
- DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy, “God Did”
- Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane, “Scientists & Engineers”
- Robert Glasper feat. Mac Miller, “Therapy Pt. 2”
Best Duo or Group
- City Girls
- DJ Drama & Jeezy
- Drake & 21 Savage
- Earthgang
- Larry June & The Alchemist
- Quavo & Takeoff
- Rae Sremmurd
Best Live Performer
- Burna Boy
- Busta Rhymes
- Cardi B
- Coi Leray
- Dababy
- Drake
- Kendrick Lamar
- Megan Thee Stallion
Best Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist
- Armani White
- Central Cee
- Doechii
- Finesse2tymes
- Ice Spice
- Kaliii
- Lola Brooke
- Sexyy Redd
Lyricist of the Year
- 21 Savage
- André 3000
- Burna Boy
- Cardi B
- Conway the Machine
- Drake
- J. Cole
- Kendrick Lamar
Producer of the Year
- ATL Jacob
- DJ Khaled
- Dr. Dre
- Hit-Boy
- Hitmaka
- Kaytranada
- London on Da Track
- Metro Boomin
- The Alchemist
Video Director of the Year
- Anderson .Paak
- Cole Bennett
- Colin Tilley
- DaBaby & Reel Goats
- Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
- Dave Meyers
- Travis Scott
DJ of the Year
- Chase B
- D-Nice
- DJ Cassidy
- DJ Clark Kent
- DJ Drama
- DJ Jazzy Jeff
- DJ Khaled
- Kaytranada
- Metro Boomin
Best Hip-Hop Platform
- AllHipHop
- Caresha Please
- Drink Champs
- HipHopDX
- Million Dollaz Worth of Game
- Rap Caviar
- The Breakfast Club
- The Joe Budden Podcast
- XXL
Hustler of the Year
- 21 Savage
- 50 Cent
- Burna Boy
- Cardi B
- Caresha
- DJ Khaled
- Drake
- Jay-Z
Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse
- 21 Savage, “Creepin’” by Metro Boomin, also feat. The Weeknd
- 21 Savage, “Peaches & Eggplants” by Young Nudy
- André 3000, “Scientists & Engineers” by Killer Mike, also feat. Future and Eryn Allen Kane
- Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2” by GloRilla
- Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again” by Latto
- Drake, “Oh U Went” by Young Thug
- J. Cole, “All My Life” by Lil Durk
- Jay-Z, “God Did” by DJ Khaled, also feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, John Legend, Fridayy
Best International Flow
- Aka (South Africa)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Central Cee (UK)
- Gazo (France)
- J Hus (UK)
- K.O (South Africa)
- Major Rd (Brazil)
- Ninho (France)
- Sampa The Great (Zambia)
- Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)