Kanye West nominated for 17 BET Hip-Hop Awards

ATLANTA (AP) - Kanye West hasn't released a solo album since 2010, but the rapper has kept relevant with another strong year...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

ATLANTA (AP) — Kanye West hasn’t released a solo album since 2010, but the rapper has kept relevant with another strong year.

Now, BET is taking notice.

West received the most nominations with 17 for the seventh annual BET Hip-Hop Awards, which will air Oct. 9. The rapper has had a big year as a producer, performer and director. He also collaborated with Jay-Z on the hit album, “Watch the Throne.”

Rapper 2 Chainz scored 13 nominations and Drake earned 11 nods, respectively.

The nominations were announced Wednesday.

The ceremony will be taped Sept. 29 at Atlanta’s Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. Actor and comedian Mike Epps will return as host for the fourth straight year.

Hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty, who committed suicide earlier this month, will be honored during the show.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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