2021 BET Hip Hop Awards honors rap royalty and salutes the next generation of artists
This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards was a star-studded event that included appearances by some of this year's most respected emcees.
One of the night's biggest winners was Tyler, the Creator, who was received the inaugural Cultural Influence Award, as well as Hip Hop Album of the Year for "Call Me If You Get Lost."
Lil Baby won four awards, including Artist of the Year, and Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion took home three trophies for “WAP.”
Additionally, Yung Bleu was named Best New Hip Hop Artist, while J. Cole took home Lyricist of the Year.
Young Thug & Gunna, Latto, Bia featuring Lil Jon, Baby Keem, Tobe Nwigwe, and Isaiah Rashad were just a few of the artists who took the stage to perform some of their hits. Meanwhile, hip-hop powerhouses Trina, Remy Ma and Rapsody presented some of the night's top honors.
Hosted by DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean -- also known as the comedy group 85 South -- the show was fused with comedy skits and hip-hop cyphers throughout the night.
Nelly received the 2021 "I Am Hip Hop" Award from So So Def producer Jermaine Dupri before taking the stage to perform a medley of his songs, which included "E.I.," "Country Grammar," "Air Force Ones," "Grillz," "Ride With Me," "Dilemma" and "Hot in Herre."
Legendary rapper and 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee LL COOL J presented the first-ever "Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award" to Grammy Award-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator.
Before the night ended, Big Daddy Kane paid tribute to his fellow Juice Crew member, rapper Biz Markie, who died in July at the age of 57.
Here's the list of 2021 BET Hip Hop Award winners:
Hip hop album of the year
- "Call Me If You Get Lost," Tyler, the Creator
Song of the year
- “WAP,” Produced by Ayo & Keyz (Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
Hip hop artist of the year
- Lil Baby
Best hip hop video
- Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Best new hip hop artist
- Yung Bleu
Best collaboration
- Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Best duo or group
- Lil Baby & Lil Durk
Best live performer
- Tyler, the Creator
Lyricist of the year
- J. Cole
Best international flow
- Little Simz (U.K.)
Video director of the year
- Missy Elliott
DJ of the year
- DJ Scheme
Producer of the year
- Hit-Boy
Hustler of the year
- Saweetie
Best hip hop platform
- Genius
Sweet 16: best featured verse
- Jay-Z, “What It Feels Like” (Nipsey Hussle feat. Jay-Z)
Impact track
- Nipsey Hussle feat. Jay-Z, “What It Feels Like”
