Atlanta calls together rap’s young and old
The 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards aired Tuesday night, October 9 in Atlanta. The annual show that honors the best in rap and hip-hop brought together the biggest names in the industry all under one roof for an explosive, high energy show.
The Awards kicked off with a performance from Wiz Khalifa, as the Pittsburgh rapper rocked his track “Work Hard, Play Hard.” Wiz was then joined onstage by Young Jeezy and Juicy J for the remix of his track, as well as Juicy J’s hit “Bandz A Make Her Dance.”
Other notable appearances of the night included performances by Kendrick Lama, 2 Chainz, T.I., Diddy, Machine Gun Kelly and Meek Mill, to name a few. Not to mention a duo performance from Rick Ross and Omarion.
As with past BET Hip-Hop Award shows, the cypher segment provided a highlight for the night, featuring fan favorites gathered into groups by BET to spit freestyles.
Among the cypher participants were Grand Hustle (T.I., Trae Tha Truth, Chip, Iggy Azalea, B.o.B.), Mac Miller, Mystikal, Schoolboy Q, Hopsin, Jay Bird the Purdi Boi, Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Ab Soul, Sarkodie, West coast (Xzibit, YG, Kurupt, E-40, DJ Quik, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg), Angel Haze, Joey Bada$$, Dricky Graham, Childish Gambino, A$AP Rocky, and Ruff Ryders (Murda Mook, Cassidy, Eve, and DMX).
The most calming and sentimental moment of the show happened during a Chris Lighty tribute. Lighty, a hip-hop industry executive who founded the Violator record label, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on August 30, 2012. To pay tribute to the deceased entrepreneur, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest, along with Fat Joe and 50 Cent set aside past beefs to honor the fallen Lighty, performing some of their own classics alongside Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes.
Overall, the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards were a successful showing of the youngest, oldest and in-between talents rap music has to offer.
