MUSIC SUPERSTAR NELLY RECEIVES THE
“I AM HIP HOP” AWARD
“RAP CITY ’21,” HOSTED BY BIG TIGGER, RETURNS,
TUESDAY AT 8 PM ET/PT ON BET AND BET HER
FEATURING JERMAINE DUPRI, TOBE NWIGWE,
FAT JOE, JEEZY, DJ DRAMA AND MANY MORE!
THE 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS”
HOSTED BY COMEDIANS 85 SOUTH SHOW
(KARLOUS MILLER, DC YOUNG FLY, AND CHICO BEAN)
PREMIERES AT 9PM ET/PT ON BET, BET HER, MTV2 AND VH1
RAPPER AND PRODUCER TYLER, THE CREATOR
HONORED AS THE FIRST-EVER
“ROCK THE BELLS CULTURAL INFLUENCE AWARD” HONOREE
(NEW YORK, NY) – October 4, 2021 – BET celebrates Hip Hop with two new specials on Tuesday, October 5: The 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” and “RAP CITY ‘21.” The longest-running rap show on BET, “RAP CITY,” returns for a one-hour special edition with legendary host Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her. The 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS”co-hosted by actors, hosts of the “85 South Show” podcast, and stars of Wild N’ Out – comedy supergroup 85 South (Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, and Chico Bean) – premieres at 9 PM ET/PT on BET, BET Her, MTV2 and VH1.
Executive Produced and Hosted by Big Tigger, “Rap City ‘21” will celebrate the culture and feature exclusive interviews with Jermaine Dupri, Tobe Nwigwe, Fat Joe, Jeezy, DJ Drama and more. The special will reveal never before seen booth appearances, “Rap City” memories. The highly anticipated return of the iconic music show will continue to pay homage to BET’s commitment to Hip Hop and celebrate the stars of the culture’s past, present and future. Making its debut in 1989, “Rap City,” was the preeminent hip hop series dedicated to rap music videos, important cultural commentary, and interviews with the stars of the moment along with original freestyles from artists including Jay-Z, A Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J, Kanye West, Eve, Ludacris, The Diplomats, Jadakiss, Trina, Common, Big Boi, Killer Mike, and many more!
This year’s “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” featured show stopping performances by Young Thug & Gunna, Latto, Bia featuring Lil Jon, Baby Keem, Tobe Nwigwe featuring Fat & Nell, and Isaiah Rashad featuring Doechii & Kal. Hip Hop powerhouses Trina, Remy Ma, and Rapsody presented some of the night’s top honors.
Rapper, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and actor Nelly received the 2021 “I Am Hip Hop” Award from legendary producer Jermaine Dupri before taking the stage to perform a medley of his greatest hits. Global entertainment icon, 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J presented the first-ever “Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award” to Grammy-Award winning rapper, producer, entrepreneur and four-time “BET Hip Hop Awards” nominee TYLER, THE CREATOR.
Previously announced nominees include Cardi B, Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion, leading the pack with nine nominations each, followed by Drake with an impressive eight nods. Tyler, The Creator, and Metro Boomin tie for third-most nominations securing four nods each. Other notable nominees include 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, and Pooh Shiesty, who received three each. Bia, Chris Brown, Doja Cat, Jay Z, Lil Nas X, Migos, Nicki Minaj, Roddy Ricch, Saweetie, Young Thug, and Yung Bleu received two nominations each.
For more information about the “BET HIP HOP AWARDS”, including the digital red carpet livestream powered by Bulldog DM, the latest news and updates, visit bet.com/hiphopawards and follow the conversation @BETAwards
Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy serving as Co-Executive Producer for BET. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of the 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.
“Rap City ‘21” is executive produced by Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan, Red Summer TV and Sam Walker for BET.
