Jamila Young – A&E Editor
Some of the biggest names in the hip hop community came together for the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, hosted by rapper Snoop Dogg. It took place at the Civic Center in Atlanta, Ga. It began with a sketch where Snoop Dogg was being interviewed by James Lipton from the show “Inside the Actor’s Studio.” Comedian and actor Kevin Hart presented the first award of the night for the Perfect Combo Award. Hart appeared on stage with multiple police officers standing behind him to promote his upcoming movie “Ride Along,” set to come out in January of next year.
Kiana McDavid, freshman nursing major at Southern, said she wasn’t too fond of Snoop Dogg being the host.
“He’s not my favorite guy,” said McDavid. “I would’ve preferred Kevin Hart.”
A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake won the first award for their collaboration of the song, “Problems.” Drake & A$AP weren’t present to accept their award. BET’s own, Bow Wow, host of the weekly show, 106&Park, and his new co-host for the show, singer and television personality Keshia Chante, presented A$AP Ferg with the Rookie of the Year Award. Drake also won the award for People’s Champ for his song, “Started From The Bottom.”
Current and up-and-coming rappers participated in pre-recorded cyphers that were shown throughout the awards show. Some rappers who participated in the cyphers were Joe Budden, Lil Kim, the A$AP Mob, Slaughter House, and Kendrick Lamar. There was even a rapper in the cypher who rapped in Spanish. The last cypher of the night was from the cast of the BET show, The Real Husbands of Hollywood. All of the castmates were dressed in white suits except for Kevin Hart who was shirtless. Cast member Boris Kodjoe, being of German descent, decided to rap in German with English subtitles underneath him.
There were also music performances throughout the show. The first performance was from rapper Meek Millz. Millz performed while walking through the aisles of the audience to the stage where he ended his performance. Rapper 2 Chainz performed with a set resembling the inside of a house behind him, and also with surprise guests, rapper/producer Mannie Fresh, and rapper Juvenile. French Montana performed his song “Ain’t Worried Bout Nothin’” with rappers Diddy, Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg. During Diddy’s part of the performance, he put a crown on his head in response to a diss record that rapper Kendrick Lamar put out, telling people that he is the King.
There were also performances from Future, Rick Ross & DJ Khaled, Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Yo Gotti, Rocko, Rich Homie Quan, and Bone Thugs N’ Harmony. Rapper Eve presented Rapper MC Lyte with the I Am Hip Hop Award. A video played that showed Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Queen Latifah telling stories of how Lyte has influenced them and what they like about her. MC Lyte also spoke in the video. Lyte said that she grew up doing a lot of writing because her mother would make her write.
“You want to go where?” “Write me an essay,” Lyte said, recalling conversations she would have with her mother when she wanted to go somewhere.
When Lyte walked to the stage to accept her award, the crowd gave her a standing ovation. She gave a speech thanking her supporters, and she gave some advice for females.
“Ladies if you want to be treated like a queen, act like one,” said Lyte.
Snoop Dogg ended the night giving out bags of breakfast food to the audience members.
