Megan Thee Stallion is making waves in the hip-hop world once again, leading the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards with an impressive 12 nominations. This achievement places her at the forefront of the event, solidifying her status as one of the most influential and dominant forces in the music industry today. In a groundbreaking moment, women have reached an unprecedented milestone in the “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” category, achieving equal representation alongside men for the first time since the category’s introduction in 2020. The nominees include four powerful women—Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, GloRilla, and Nicki Minaj—going head-to-head with four equally prominent male artists—21 Savage, Drake, Future, and Kendrick Lamar.
Close behind Megan, Kendrick Lamar garnered 11 nominations, continuing his reign as a lyrical powerhouse. Drake, who is no stranger to the BET Hip Hop Awards, received eight nods this year. Other artists earning substantial recognition include Cardi B, GloRilla, Metro Boomin, and Nicki Minaj with seven nominations each. Future and Travis Scott followed with six nominations, while 21 Savage and newcomer 41 earned four nods each. Notably, industry veterans such as A$AP Rocky, Common, Lil Wayne, Pete Rock, and rising star Sexyy Red also secured nominations, with three each.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this year’s awards is Drake’s unbroken streak of nominations for “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year.” He remains the only artist who has been nominated every year since the category’s inception five years ago, a testament to his enduring influence in the genre. Megan Thee Stallion, meanwhile, celebrates her fourth nomination in this prestigious category. Cardi B, Future, and Lamar each mark their third nominations, while 21 Savage receives his second. Surprisingly, this year is Nicki Minaj’s first nomination for “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year,” despite her iconic status and extensive contributions to the genre.
Megan’s success extends beyond just this nomination. She is a strong contender in the “Best Collaboration” category, where she is nominated three times. These nominations include her feature on Cardi B’s high-energy track “Bongos,” her collaboration with GloRilla on “Wanna Be,” and her own hit song “Mamushi,” which features rising star Yuki Chiba.
Hosting the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards is the legendary Fat Joe, who returns for his third consecutive year. Not only is he hosting, but he is also serving as co-executive producer of the show, ensuring that this year’s event will be one to remember. The show is set to be taped in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, on Tuesday, October 8, with the broadcast airing a week later on Tuesday, October 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
Fat Joe, excited about his third year as host, shared his enthusiasm in a statement: “Joe Crack is back for the three-peat, night night baby. It’s been a dream to host the BET Hip Hop Awards the past few years, and I’m looking forward to taking things to the next level in Las Vegas. We’re going to be in a new city and location, but the excitement and entertainment at the awards will be even bigger than ever.” His presence as host has brought a unique blend of humor, charisma, and deep respect for the culture, making him a fan favorite for the role.
Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming, and Music Strategy at BET, highlighted the importance of this year’s nominees, stating, “This year’s nominees exemplify the creativity and diversity of hip-hop and the culture.” The awards continue to serve as a platform that showcases the genre’s evolution, highlighting both established legends and emerging talents.
The production of this year’s event will be overseen by an experienced team, ensuring top-tier entertainment for viewers. Connie Orlando will take the lead, serving as executive producer alongside Jamal Noisette, BET’s SVP of Specials and Music Programming. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will also serve as executive producer, with Jeannae Rouzan-Clay and Dionne Harmon from the same company joining him. Collins and Harmon previously won Primetime Emmys for their work on the iconic Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.
Interestingly, this year marks only the fourth time that the BET Hip Hop Awards will be held outside of Atlanta. Previous relocations took the event to Miami in 2017 and 2018, and it was staged in multiple locations during the pandemic in 2020. The move to Las Vegas promises a fresh experience for attendees and viewers alike, adding to the growing excitement surrounding the event.
Fans of the genre will be able to participate in the voting process for several key categories, including DJ of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Best Hip Hop Platform, starting on Friday, September 20, at noon ET via the BET website. With so much talent on display, the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards are shaping up to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory.
