BET Preps For Third Annual BET Hip-Hop Awards, Announces Nominations

BET prepares for it’s third Annual ‘BET Hip Hop Awards’ set to air Thursday, October 23 hosted by comedian/actor Katt Williams.

BET prepares for it’s third Annual “BET Hip Hop Awards” set to air Thursday, October 23 which will be hosted by comedian/actor Katt Williams. The taping takes place Saturday, October 18th, 2008 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta, GA.

The “BET Hip Hop Awards” has returned with its signature challenge “Hot 16” which is a partnership between BET.com and music executive/producer Jermaine Dupri and social networking community MySpace. For the challenge, users had a change to enter a rap battle for an opportunity to win a VIP trip for (4) to the “BET Hip Hop Awards” and for an in-studio session with Jermaine Dupri. Finalists voted on by online users videos will appear on the official BET site September 17 for users to once again vote for their favorite prior to Wednesday September 24th. The grand prize winner will be selected by music executive/producer Jermain Dupri.

Leading in nominations is Lil’ Wayne, on top of the roster, with an astonishing 12 nominations.

Other nominations include the following:

For “Best Hip Hop Video,” the nominations are David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc for “Get Like Me,” Common for “I Want You,” DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross for “I’m So Hood (The Remix),” Lil Wayne f/ Static for “Lollipop,” Snoop Dogg for “Sensual Seduction” and Kanye West f/ T-Pain for “Good Life.”

For “Best Hip Hop Collaboration,” nominations include, once again, Mississippi native rapper David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc for “Get Like Me,” DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross for “I’m So Hood (The Remix),” Flo Rida f/ T-Pain for “Low,” Plies f/ Ne-Yo for “Bust It Baby Pt. 2” and Kanye West f/ T-Pain for “Good Life.”

For “Best Live Performer,” the nominations are Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West.

For “Lyricist of the Year,” the nominations are Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, Nas, T.I. and Kanye West.

For “Video Director of the Year,” the nominations are Gil Green, R. Malcolm Jones, Rage, Chris Robinson and Hype Williams.

For “Producer of the Year,” nominations include Akon, Bangladesh, David Banner, JR. Rotem and The Runners.

For “MVP of the Year,” nominations include DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West.

For “Track of the Year,” nominations are ‘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 Major produced by Jim Jonsin & Deezle and ‘Roc Boys’ (And the Winner Is) – Jay-Z produced by Sean Combs & The Hitmen.

For “CD of the Year,” nominations include Jay-Z “American Gangster,” Lil’ Wayne “Tha Carter III,” Lupe Fiasco “Lupe Fiasco’s ‘The Cool’,”

Nas “Untitled,” and Kanye West “Graduation.”

Nominations for “Rookie of the Year,” include Ace Hood, Flo Rida, Maino, Rocko, and Shawty Lo.

Nominations for “DJ of the Year,” include DJ Drama, DJ Felli Fel, DJ Khaled, DJ Tony Neal and DJ Greg Street.

Nominations for “Hustler of the Year” include 50 Cent, DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne and P. Diddy.

“Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Nominees” include 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 and Yung Berg f/ Casha – The Business.

Nominations for “Hottest Hip Hop Ringtone of the Year” include Flo Rida f/ T-Pain – Low, Lil’ Wayne f/ Static – Lollipop, Plies f/ Ne-Yo – Bust It Baby Pt. 2, Rocko – Umma Do Me and Yung Berg f/ Casha – The Business.

Nominations for “Best UK Hip Hop Act,” are Chipmunk, Dizzee Rascal, Ghetto, Giggs, Skepta and Wiley.

Music mogul Russell Simmons will be honored with the “I Am Hip Hop” Icon Award.

In 2007, the BET Hip Hop Awards are stated to have drawn in over 3.3 million viewers with a 2.5 rating, making it the #1 hip-hop themed telecast on TV for the second year, according to a research done by Nielsen Media.