Rising hip hop stars and rap music veterans joined a virtual red carpet to celebrate the 15th annual BET Hip Hop Award show.
Read More: Big Sean to perform, Master P honored during BET Hip Hop Awards
The network announced Lousiana icon Master P will be honored with the I Am Hip Hop achievement and the rapper shared his business endeavors, musical success, and overall mentality bred him to be the best.
“I’m the best hustler on the game. I never wanted to be the best rapper. You can’t out-hustle me,” he remarked during the digital event.
The rapper shared his latest products including a new line of fried pork skins featuring Cardi B, and plans to dominate the baking aisle with essential products. And of course, the Ice Cream Man himself announced frozen treat due soon.
As the recipient of this Lifetime Achievement Award, Master P.’s ability to hustle hard is not the only accolade recognized as honorable. The ‘I Am Hip Hop’ title further cements his status as a living legend in the rap game. His decades in the industry have allowed him to watch the hip-hop scene grow in real-time.
The No Limit Records founder shared with theGrio during the event his take on the burgeoning rap stars and even said which of his songs could undergo a 2020 remake.
“I could see Hoody Hoo [featuring C Murder and Silk The Shocker]. It’s so many great artists that I could see bringing that back alive. Look at the Drake’s, the NBA Young Boy’s, the Moneybagg Yo’s, the Polo G’s. I see so many young people who are so talented now,” he said.
Read More: DaBaby, Roddy Ricch lead BET Hip Hop Awards nominations
Trae Tha Truth also attended the virtual carpet. The Houston rapper is being honored with a new initiative, “Hip Hop Cares” at the award show for his on-the-ground work during the nationwide protests for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other community-centric efforts. He told theGrio his advocacy for women includes protecting all women.
“I think in general, we just all have to support each other. With me, it’s very simple. I have a mama, I have a sister and I have a daughter. By any means necessary, I’m going to lay my life on the line for them at all times,” he remarked.
“As far as women entertainers, I’ve always been supportive. It’s not easy to be a woman entertainer in an industry that is predominantly men…any of them may reach out to me at any time, whether it’s Meg [Thee Stallion], Cardi [B], Rapsody, Saweetie, City Girls, my sister Tokyo Jetz. Any of them. I’m in full-fledged support. The singers too.”
Chicago rapper G Herbo will also be highlighted for his dedication to the mental health crisis including his Swervin’ Through The Stress.
Flo Milli and Mulatto two young women rising through mainstream rap ranks shared what gives them the confidence to be braggadocious through their music in a male-dominated field. Both women are nominated for Best New Hip Hop artist.
This is the first time since the award show’s inception that two women are nominated simultaneously in the category which evolved from the Rookie of the Year or the Who Blew Up Award in past award shows. The only other female rappers to take this title was Nicki Minaj in 2010 and Cardi B in 2017.
“I’m the proof that it’s possible,” Big Latto remarked to theGrio. “I’m proof that it’s attainable if you work hard.”
“I see the bigger picture of it all. I notice men try to degrade women. They tried to do it with WAP and Cardi B. Men can say whatever the f**k they want. I feel like, we should keep doing what we’re doing, and don’t listen to the critics. At the end of the day, it’s double standards, and ain’t nobody worried,” Flo Milli remarked.
Skip Marley, scheduled to participate in the Reggae cypher, shared his desire to continue collaborating with both hip hop and R&B artists.
“I’d love to work with Rihanna, there are a lot of people.. Jorja Smith… J. Cole,” he named.
With a theme of “Hip Hop has something to say,” the platform aims to use the rhyme filled night to spotlight important issues. Among the listed cyphers includes a first of its kind, social justice and awareness cypher where rappers will use their skills to speak their truths. Polo G will take the mic to share his experience coming up in the Chicago scene and how rappers from the Windy City can stay on top.
“I feel like Chicago [is] really cementing ourselves on the forefront. I feel like we’ve been at the forefront but definitely now, with me having a big year musically Herb [G Herbo], having a big year musically, Durk having a big year musically. We’re stepping up and showing our powers,” he said.
“Sticking together with the music, supporting each other, leaning on each other, collaborations, that’s really showing that we connected with each other in this music thing and just
The 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards air Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET with performances by 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Burna Boy, Tobe Nwigwe, Ty Dolla $ign, and more. The show is hosted by comedy supergroup 85 South built from the talents of Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, and Chico Bean.
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