Kanye West was given few chances to interrupt any acceptance speeches at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards, as the rapper/producer took home seven of his own, more than anyone else. Well, that, plus the fact that he wasn't there.
Taking the lead with 17 nominations, West's no-show didn't keep him from winning for best producer and best style, best collaboration for “Mercy,” featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz off G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer, and with fellow Watch the Throne rapper Jay-Z for best live performance, album, track and club banger (the latter two for “Ni**as in Paris”). For his part, Jay-Z also won hustler of the year, proving again that he’s not a businessman; he’s a business, man.
Toronto’s own Drake didn’t go home empty-handed either, winning best hip-hop video for “HYFR” featuring Lil Wayne, as well as the people’s champ award with 2 Chainz for Drake's appearance on the latter’s “No Lie.”
The annual ciphers, which are always a highlight, proved no different this year, but the standout had to be Angel Haze, Joey Bada$$, Driicky Graham, Childish Gambino and A$AP Rocky swapping verses with RZA on the turntables.
The highlight of the night, however, came in the form of a tribute to the late Violator record label founder Chris Lighty, who was shot and killed in August. LL Cool J introduced the lengthy tribute, which included performances from A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Fat Joe and 50 Cent.
Other winners included: Kendrick Lamar, whose critically acclaimed debut Section 80 won him lyricist of the year; Hype Williams for video director of the year; DJ Khaled for DJ of the year; Rick Ross, who overcame health issues to release God Forgives, I Don’t and follow it up with the mixtape Self Made, Vol. 2, for MVP of the year; 2 Chainz, whose appearance on G.O.O.D. Music’s “Mercy” won him best guest verse, also took rookie of the year; Meek Mill won for best mixtape with Dreamchasers2; Nas took the award for impact track with “Daughters” off this year’s Life is Good; and WorldstarHipHop won best site.
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