2008 BET Hip Hop Awards – Oct. 23, 2008

September 15, 2008 by  
Filed under BET

NEW YORK September 15, 2008 — BET Networks today announced the outstanding list of nominees for the annual BET HIP HOP AWARDS. Leading the pack is the “Lollipop man” Lil’ Wayne with an astounding 12 nominations, followed by Kanye West with 8 nods and Jay Z with 6 nods. There is no comparison. This years’ BET HIP HOP AWARDS will be the preeminent hip-hop event of the season! Hosted by the one and only Katt Williams, the awards will tape on Saturday, October 18 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and premiere on the network on Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m.*

Lil’ Wayne has had an extraordinary year and now has 12 record-breaking BET HIP HOP AWARDS nominations to prove it. Chosen from an illustrious group of music and entertainment executives, he’s been nominated for Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year, Hustler of the Year, CD of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, Best Live Performer, Best Collaboration, Best Ringtone, Alltel Wireless People’s Champ and two consecutive nominations for Track of the Year with his hits “A Milli” and “Lollipop”.

This year, BET Networks will also honor Russell Simmons with the “I AM HIP HOP” Icon Award. The “I AM HIP HOP” Icon Award is presented by BET Networks to an individual who, during their lifetime, has made notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip hop community. Simmons, recently named by USA Today as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years,” is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist who has been a trailblazer in the areas of music, fashion, television and film. He devotes over 50% of his time to philanthropic causes, focused on putting an end to poverty and ignorance. The co-founder of DefJam Records, the founder of Phat Fashions, Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam and his new Argyle Culture and Atman fashion collections, Simmons has been a hip-hop pioneer, bringing its culture to the American mainstream. It is for these reasons we celebrate his life and highlight his achievements. In a year as significant as this, let’s continue to bring change and honor an individual who’s committed to making a difference.