BET Awards Highlighted By Kidd Kenn Cypher, Big Wins From Lil Baby, J. Cole, And More

Last night (October 5) at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, many of rap’s biggest stars were honored for their work in the past year.

Lil Baby took home the big prize with Hip Hop Artist of the Year, and also took home the hardware in the Best Duo/Group category for his outstanding album with Lil Durk, The Voice of the Heroes.

J. Cole was awarded the Best Lyricist award for his outstanding new LP, The Off-Season. Check out the full list of winners below.

As has become a tradition, the event was highlighted by The Cypher performance. Hosted by the stars of the 85 South Show for a second year in a row, fans enjoyed various ciphers by emerging acts like Kidd Kenn, as well as performances from Young Thug, Gunna, Baby Keem, and more. Check out the performances ranked from tonight’s festivities below.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion led the nominations for this year’s Hip Hop Awards, with nine nods each. Drake received eight nominations across seven categories, including Hip Hop Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. His album Certified Lover Boy was not nominated for Hip Hop Album of the Year, having missed the cut-off date for 2021’s ceremony, according to BET.

Listen to the best of Lil Baby on Apple Music and Spotify.

2021 BET Awards Winners:

Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Cardi B
Drake
J. Cole
WINNER: Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Tyler, the Creator

Hip Hop Album of the Year
Moneybagg Yo: A Gangsta’s Pain
WINNER: Tyler, the Creator: Call Me If You Get Lost
Migos: Culture III
Megan Thee Stallion: Good News
DJ Khaled: Khaled Khaled
21 Savage & Metro Boomin: Savage Mode II
J. Cole: The Off-Season

Best Hip Hop Video
Cardi B: Up
WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion: WAP
Chris Brown & Young Thug: Go Crazy
Drake featuring Lil Durk: Laugh Now Cry Later
Lil Nas X: Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Saweetie featuring Doja Cat: Best Friend

Best Collaboration
21 Savage & Metro Boomin featuring Drake: Mr. Right Now
Bia featuring Nicki Minaj: Whole Lotta Money (Remix)
WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion: WAP
DJ Khaled featuring Lil Baby & Lil Durk: Every Chance I Get
Drake featuring Lil Durk: Laugh Now Cry Later
Pooh Shiesty featuring Lil Durk: Back in Blood

Best Duo/Group
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Nasty C & Blxckie
WINNER: Lil Baby & Lil Durk
Migos

Best Live Performer
Busta Rhymes
Cardi B
DaBaby
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
WINNER: Tyler, the Creator

Lyricist of the Year
Benny the Butcher
Drake
WINNER: J. Cole
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Nas

Video Director of the Year
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Director X
Hype Williams
WINNER: Missy Elliott

Producer of the Year
DJ Khaled
WINNER: Hit-Boy
Metro Boomin
Mustard
The Alchemist
Tyler, the Creator

Song of the Year
Pooh Shiesty featuring Lil Durk: Back in Blood
Roddy Ricch: Late at Night
Drake featuring Lil Durk: Laugh Now Cry Later
Cardi B: Up
WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion: WAP

Best New Hip Hop Artist
BLXST
Coi Leray
Don Toliver
Morray
Pooh Shiesty
WINNER: Yung Bleu

Hustler of the Year
Cardi B
Drake
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
WINNER: Saweetie
Yung Bleu

Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse
Cardi B: Type Shit (Migos)
Drake: Having Our Way (Migos)
WINNER: JAY-Z: What It Feels Like (Nipsey Hussle & JAY-Z)
Lil Durk: Back in Blood (Pooh Shiesty)
Megan Thee Stallion: On Me (Remix) (Lil Baby)
Roddy Ricch: Lemonade (Remix) (Internet Money)

Impact Track
Black Thought: Thought Vs. Everybody
Lil Nas X: Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Lil Baby & Kirk Franklin: We Win
Meek Mill featuring Lil Durk: Pain Away
WINNER: Nipsey Hussle & JAY-Z: What It Feels Like
Rapsody: 12 Problems

Best International Flow
Ladipoe (Nigeria)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Xamā (Brazil)
Laylow (France)
Gazo (France)
WINNER: Little Simz (United Kingdom)

I Am Hip-Hop Award
Nelly

Cultural Influence Award
Tyler, the Creator