Rappers Get Political at 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards

The country’s mood toward ongoing police violence seeped into the performances and speeches at the 2016 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which was recently held outside Atlanta.

T.I. made a strong statement with his performance of “We Will Not,” which the Atlanta rapper said he wrote in the wake of the deaths by Sandra Bland, Philando Castile and others. During the performance, “Black Lives Matter” signs were held up in what appeared to be a protest. T.I. concluded his performance by calling for blacks to unite, saying “they can’t kill us all.”

Also speaking on the matter of police violence were Big K.R.I.T. and Christian rapper Lecrae, who used poems to express their views on police brutality. Standing alongside radio host Sway Calloway on stage was host DJ Khaled, who declared “we’re at war.”

Outside of the political message, the awards took time to honor legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, who was the recipient of the “I Am Hip Hop” award. Snoop was introduced by fellow West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar, who said of the Doggfather, “he mastered the game through tests and challenges that earned him the respect of a college professor, except his game came from the streets and continues to be so.”

During his acceptance speech, Snoop offered advice to  up and coming rappers. “A lot of people don’t understand you. Y’all are misunderstood,” he said. “I was misunderstood at the beginning. So you got to keep pushing, be original and diverse. Hip-hop was created many years ago and it’s taken people so many places. You have to be who you are.”

Other highlights of the show include rapper Gucci Mane, who recently released from prison. He hit the stage to perform four songs, including “First Day Out Tha Feds.”

This year’s host, DJ Khaled, next performed “Holy Key” with legendary singer Betty Wright and a choir, who delivered exceptional background vocals.

The BET Hip Hop Awards typically features several recorded freestyle sessions, which are often well-received. This year was no different, as the show featured “The Cypher,” which this year included Lil Wayne and comedian Kevin Hart, who drew both laughter and applause when he rapped shirtless in dark shades.

The show concluded with a performance from Brooklyn rapper Desiigner, who rocked the crowd with “Timmy Turner.”

Among the award winners announced during the taping include Kendrick Lamar, who won for “Lyricist of the Year,” Fat Joe and Remy Ma, who took home “Track of the Year” for “All the Way Up.” In addition, “The Hustler of the Year” honor went to DJ Khaled, and “Best New Hip-Hop Artist” was won by Chance the Rapper.

Additional winners will be announced when the show airs on BET Oct. 4. A full list of the nominees can be found below.

Best Hip-Hop Video

2 Chainz – Watch Out

Desiigner – Panda

DJ Khaled F/ Jay Z & Future – I Got the Keys

Drake – Hotline Bling

Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared – All the Way Up

Kanye West F/ Rihanna – Famous

Best Collabo, Duo or Group

DJ Khaled F/ Drake – For Free

DJ Khaled F/ Jay Z & Future – I Got the Keys

Drake & Future – Jumpman

Drake F/ Wizkid & Kyla – One Dance

Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared – All the Way Up

Best Live Performer

Drake

Future

J. Cole

Kanye West

Kendrick Lamar

Lyricist of the Year

Chance the Rapper

Drake

J. Cole

Kanye West

Kendrick Lamar

Video Director of the Year

Benny Boom

Colin Tilley

Director X

Hype Williams

Kanye West

DJ of the Year

DJ Drama

DJ Envy

DJ Esco

DJ Khaled

DJ Mustard

Producer of the Year

DJ Mustard

Dr. Dre

Metro Boomin

Mike WiLL Made-It

Pharrell Williams

MVP of the Year

DJ Khaled

Drake

Future

Kanye West

Kendrick Lamar

Track of the Year

All the Way Up – Produced By Cool & Dre and Edsclusive (Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared)

Controlla – Produced By BOI-1DA (Drake)

Hotline Bling – Produced By Nineteen85 (Drake)

I Got the Keys – Produced By Southside (DJ Khaled F/ Jay Z & Future)

Panda – Produced By Menace (Desiigner)

Album of the Year

DJ Khaled – I Changed A Lot

Dr. Dre – Compton

Drake – Views

Fetty Wap – Fetty Wap

Future -DS2

Kanye West – The Life of Pablo

Best New Hip-Hop Artist

Anderson .Paak

Bryson Tiller

Chance the Rapper

Desiigner

Tory Lanez

Hustler of the Year

DJ Khaled

Drake

Future

Jay Z

Kanye West

Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)

A$AP Rocky

Drake

Future

Kanye West

Nicki Minaj

Best Hip Hop Online Site/App

Allhiphop.Com

Complex.Com

Hotnewhiphop.Com

Worldstarhiphop.Com

XXLMag.Com

Best Mixtape

Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

French Montana – Wave Gods (Hosted By Max B)

Future – Purple Reign

Lil Uzi Vert – Lil Uzi Vert VS. The World

Young Thug – Slime Season 3

Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse

2 Chainz – No Problem (Chance the Rapper F/ Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz)

Drake – Work (Rihanna F/ Drake)

Kendrick Lamar – Freedom (Beyonc¨¦ F/ Kendrick Lamar)

Kodak Black – Lockjaw (French Montana F/ Kodak Black)

Nicki Minaj – Down In the DM – Remix (Yo Gotti F/ Nicki Minaj)

Impact Track

1. Cole – Love Yourz

Jay Z – Spiritual

Jidenna – Long Live The Chief

Raury F/ Key – Trap Tears

Sir The Baptist F/ ChuchPeople – Raise Hell

People’ss Champ Award

Desiigner – Panda

DJ Khaled F/ Drake – For Free

Fat Joe & Remy Ma F/ French Montana & Infared – All the Way Up

O.T. Genasis F/ Young Dolph – Cut It

Travis Scott – Antidote

Young Thug – Best Friend