HiGhLiGhTs oF tHe 2013 BeT hIp HoP aWaRdS

The host of this years BET Hip Hop Awards was Uncle Snoop, who graced the stage with his calm laid back demeanor and "O G" swag. The show opened with Snoop being interviewed by James Lipton, the host of Inside the Actor's Studio. Lipton was truly a team player using Snoop's one-of-a-kind Ebonics, to communicate with the veteran rapper. The comical video made light of the event which is usually known for its gritty, hard, and explicit artistry. The BET Hip Hop Awards isn't as commercialized as The Grammy's and doesn't give out as many awards, but it does stay focused on the craft of Hip Hop by introducing to the world up-and-coming rappers through metaphorical cyphers.

The political climate was thick at this years award show with rappers wearing hoodies that read, "Racially Profiled" and t-shirts with the "Illuminati pyramid" while referencing black activists like Huey P. Newton. Then uncle Snoop stepped his political game up with a parody video of 'The Butler' which showed him serving several presidents throughout the decades, with Snoop giving each president the proper "greetings" they deserved. The parody video ended with Snoop as the "butler" greeting President Obama, giving the commander-in-chief the down low of the streets while arranging a basketball date with the preezy!

It was a pleasant surprise the variety of cyphers this year with the "Real Husbands of Hollywood" actors, chiming in to contribute their comical cyphers that gave the BET audience a thrill. Most cyphers are serious business so the added comedy was a good balance. Veteran rappers Lil Kim and Joe Budden made cypher appearances but in all honesty, A$AP Mob and Kendrick Lamar stole the cypher show in my opinion. 

Diddy, French Montana, Snoop, and Rick Ross hit the stage giving an energetic performance that got everybody to their feet, with Diddy in the end "crowning" himself as king. Then Bone Thugs-N-Harmony took us back to the "crossroads" and the "first of the month", two singles that exploded within urban communities while proving timeless as the BET audience sang and swayed to the music. 

And of course the "I AM HIP HOP" award went to none other than MC Lyte! Lyte as a Rock! Gotta Get a Rough Neck! What!? The industry veteran took to the stage in her leather black and white outfit, and looked no older than 35 years old. As a person that grew up listening to MC Lyte, all I want to say is it's about time, and I want to personally thank the Hip Hop legend for defending women in her speech. 

The 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards was official.

2013 LA