The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards will take place September 20th, but will not air until October 14th. The nominees were unveiled early this week— here’s a few quick thoughts on the noms, and the award show in general:
1) Location, Location, Location
For the 9 millionth time in a row, the show is in Atlanta. What does it say about the rest of the country’s status within hip-hop — specifically New York — when arguably the most noteworthy award show within the genre is only held in Atlanta? No other city on the east coast could host this show? BET is headquartered in Washington D.C., and Chocolate City gets no love? What that mean?
2) Years In The Game
This is actually the ninth edition of the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Clearly, this is a good look for hip-hop and for BET that the show has remained this successful for this many years, without any major incidents.
3) Drake Dominates
Drake is the leader in the clubhouse with eight total nominations, including all the major categories (Lyricist of the Year, Album of the Year, MVP of the Year and the People’s Champ Award). If he can manage to sweep these categories, it will go a long way towards solidifying Drizzy’s claim as the top rapper on the planet right now.
4) The Ball Is In Kendrick’s Court
The man who, in the eyes of many, is standing in Drake’s way is Kendrick Lamar. But after completely shutting down 2013, Kendrick has for the most part been extremely quiet this year. Kendrick should easily walk away with the Sweet 16 Award for the best featured verse after he shook up the internet last year, but it’s hard to see him winning anything else. Kendrick’s run last year was similar to LeBron’s run from May 2012-June 2013 (2 rings, 2 Finals MVPs, 2 NBA MVPs, 1 Olympic Gold Medal etc.)— what can K. Dot possibly do for an encore?
5) Jay Z Still Among The Best
For all the criticism Jay catches (MCHG was his worst album, he raps about being rich too much, he raps about selling dope still, he’s washed up etc.), Hov was still nominated for six awards. Oh, and he pretty much owned this summer too.
6) Award Categories: Still Under Construction
There still appears to be some tinkering going on here, which is pretty cool. The Rookie of the Year appears to have been replaced by the more accurately titled Who Blew Up award. In the age of the internet & social media, mixtapes and re-branding, a rapper that finally gets on in 2014 may have been putting in work for years. Gone are the days of the label methodically introducing to the world a new artist never before seen. It’s pretty ridiculous, and almost insulting, that 2 Chainz won Rookie of the Year in 2012, when Tity had been in the game (professionally) since 2007.
BET threw in a fashion category too…if Young Thug wins though, I may have to walk away from rap altogether.
Sidebar: If BET wants to bring back the Best Online Site Award, HHSR will gladly accept a nomination and will be in attendance to accept the award. Just so y’all know.
7) ScHoolboy Q Joins The Elite
ScHoolboy Q is a rookie, but his debut LP Oxymoron is definitely one of the best albums of 2014. Not only was Q nominated for Album of the Year, he has a realistic shot at winning it (probably won’t though). Regardless, it’s a great look for TDE and west coast rap.
8) Cole Double Dippin’
How is it J. Cole’s “Crooked Smile” won the Impact Track Award in 2013, but is nominated for Video of the Year in 2014? Granted, the video came out right around the time last year’s award show was taped, but it just seems kind of weird. If “Crooked Smile” wins again, will it be the first time the same song won an award from the same show in two different years? That has to be some sort of record.
9) The Livest of Live Performances
BET usually manages to pull off a few dope live performances at the awards. But will anything come close to topping these two classics?
This was Wayne at his apex.
And these two have seen it all.
10) Loso’s Way
If Fab doesn’t get that Best Mixtape Award for Soul Tape 3, we’ll need to have Jimmy McNulty and The Bunk investigate the hell out of BET.
11) The Future Is Now
The autotune-tastic Atlanta artist scored six nominations. A fine accomplishment, yes, but…
12) “Move That Dope” Might Be The Biggest Winner
Four of Future’s six nominations were for the song “Move That Dope“. If that weren’t enough, that same track was responsible for Pharrell’s Sweet 16 nomination (why this was nominated over Pusha T’s verse???), and Mike WiLL Made It’s Track of the Year nomination. In total, “Move That Dope” was directly responsible for six nominations and indirectly responsible for two or three more (Future’s MVP and Album of the Year nods, Mike WiLL’s Producer of the Year nod). It seems unlikely that any song is catching this record for the distinction of hottest song of 2014.
13) Mike WiLL vs Mustard (Mustard MVP, Hoe!)
Mike WiLL was not only the mastermind behind (the boards of) “Move That Dope”, he’s had his finger on the pulse of hip-hop the last two-plus years. Recently though, a new challenger as emerged as the top producer in the game. Twenty-four-year-old DJ Mustard has been everywhere in 2014, including dropping his won album this summer. The winner of the Producer of the Year Award will certainly have bragging rights as the game’s very best…or at leas the most popular.
It’s not often though you see a producer or DJ get nominated for MVP, but DJ Mustard somehow pulled that off. Therefore, it’s hard to see how Mike WiLL can wrestle Producer of the Year away from Mustard. He won’t come close to winning MVP, but just getting nominated for it is a huge victory for DJ Mustard and all other DJs and producers.
14) Yo Gotti! (Yo Gotti Voice)
It’s a great look for a cat like Gotti to get nominated for best album. Emcees of his ilk rarely get this type of public recognition, especially without linking up with another huge artist, like Pusha T did when he jumped on G.O.O.D. Music. Speaking of which…
“Move That Dope” certainly moved the needle in 2014, and it’s the only reason Pusha T will get a ticket to the show.
It is stunning…STUNNING to see the lack of love for Pusha T in this year’s nominations. If not for his verse on “Move That Dope”, we wouldn’t be seeing his name anywhere! My Name Is My Name dropped last October, and thus fell within the window for consideration for this year’s awards (Drake’s Nothing Was The Same was released last September and is up for Album of the Year).
Many felt MNIMN was the best rap album of 2013, yet Push gets no consideration for the best album, track, lyricist or MVP? Something ain’t right. Makes you think Pusha T might have some type of behind the scenes beef with BET. That’s about the only logical explanation one could come up with.
16) The Cyphers Had Better Be Fire
We’re still awaiting word on who exactly the participants will be, but the cyphers are still the number one reason why rap fans tune into this particular award show. It’s the purest form of hip-hop you’ll find on any mainstream television outlet every year. It’s the essence of what real hip-hop is all about. So in order for this, and every BET Hip-Hop Awards show to be dope, the cyphers must not disappoint.
Here’s a complete list of the award show’s nominees:
Best Hip-Hop Video
Drake – “Worst Behavior”
Future f/ Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino – “Move That Dope”
Iggy Azalea f/ Charli XCX – “Fancy”
J. Cole f/ TLC – “Crooked Smile”
Nicki Minaj – “Pills N Potions”
Wiz Khalifa – “We Dem Boyz”
Best Collabo, Duo or Group
Eminem f/ Rihanna – “The Monster”
Future f/ Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino – “Move That Dope”
Jay Z f/ Justin Timberlake – “Holy Grail”
ScHoolboy Q f/ BJ The Chicago Kid – “Studio”
YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – “My Nigga”
Best Live Performer
Drake
Jay Z
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
Lyricist of the Year
Drake
Eminem
J. Cole
Jay Z
Kendrick Lamar
Nicki Minaj
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams
DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Khaled
DJ Mustard
DJ Scream
Producer of the Year
DJ Mustard
Drumma Boy
Hit-Boy
Mike WiLL Made It
Pharrell
Timbaland
MVP of the Year
DJ Mustard
Drake
Future
Jay Z
Nicki Minaj
Track of the Year
“Cut Her Off (Remix)” – Produced by Will-A-Fool (K Camp f/ Lil Boosie, YG & Too $hort)
“Move That Dope” – Produced by Mike WiLL Made It (Future f/ Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino)
“My Nigga” – Produced by DJ Mustard (YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan)
“Studio” – Produced by Swiff D (ScHoolboy Q f/ BJ The Chicago Kid)
“Worst Behavior” – Produced by DJ Dahi (Drake)
Album of the Year
Drake – Nothing Was the Same
Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Future – Honest
Rick Ross – Mastermind
ScHoolboy Q – Oxymoron
Yo Gotti – I Am
Who Blew Up Award
Iggy Azalea
Migos
Rich Homie Quan
ScHoolboy Q
YG
Young Thug
Hustler of the Year
Dr. Dre
Drake
Jay Z
Rick Ross
T.I.
Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)
A$AP Rocky
Jay Z
Kanye West
Nicki Minaj
Young Thug
Best Club Banger
Future f/ Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino – “Move That Dope” (Produced by Mike WiLL Made It)
K Camp f/ Lil Boosie, YG & Too $hort – “Cut Her Off” (Remix) (Produced by Will-A-Fool)
Migos – “Fight Night” (Produced by Stack Boy Twaun)
Wiz Khalifa – “We Dem Boyz” (Produced by Detail)
YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – “My Nigga” (Produced by DJ Mustard)
Young Thug – “Stoner” (Produced by Dun Deal)
Best Mixtape
Action Bronson – Blue Chips 2
Fabolous – The Soul Tape 3
Migos – No Label 2
Rich Homie Quan – I Promise I Will Never Stop Going In
Wiz Khalifa – 28 Grams
Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse
B.o.B – “Paranoid” (Ty Dolla $ign f/ B.o.B)
B.o.B – “Up Down” (Do This All Day) (T-Pain f/ B.o.B)
Drake – “Who Do You Love” (YG f/ Drake)
Kendrick Lamar – “Control” (Big Sean f/ Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica)
Pharrell – “Move That Dope” (Future f/ Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino)
Impact Track
Common f/ Vince Staples – “Kingdom”
Lecrae – “Nuthin”
Lupe Fiasco – “Mission”
The Roots f/ Patty Cash – “Never”
Talib Kweli f/ Abby Dobson – “State of Grace”
People’s Champ Award
Drake – “Worst Behavior”
Future f/ Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino – “Move That Dope”
Iggy Azalea f/ Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Wiz Khalifa – “We Dem Boyz”
YG f/ Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill & Rich Homie Quan – “My Nigga” (Remix)