IN HIP HOP WE STAND!

BET ANNOUNCES EXPLOSIVE 
HIP HOP PROGRAMMING LINEUP 
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 WITH PREMIERES OF 
2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” AND “RAP CITY ‘21”

“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 
MUSIC SUPERSTAR NELLY RECEIVES THE 
“I AM HIP HOP” AWARD
 
RAPPER AND PRODUCER TYLER, THE CREATOR HONORED AS THE FIRST-EVER 
“ROCK THE BELLS CULTURAL INFLUENCE AWARD” HONOREE

(“I AM HIP HOP” HONOREE NELLY PERFORMS A MEDLEY OF GREATEST HITS AT 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS / COURTESY OF BET) 

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! 

(ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 01: (L-R) LaNell Grant, Tobe Nwigwe and Martika Ivory Rogers attend the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

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. 

(ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 01: Remy Ma and Papoose attend the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

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. 

(ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 01: (L-R) Young Thug, Nelly, and Gunna attend the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/2021 BET Hip Hop Awards/Getty Images for BET)

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. 

# # # 

ABOUT BET 

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe. 

ABOUT “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” 

BET “Hip Hop Awards” is an annual celebration that pays homage to a culture that changed the world while highlighting the best in hip hop music. Year after year, BET delivers the best in hip-hop for an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers and tributes honoring hip-hop legends that have and continue to make hip-hop culture a global force. 

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT 

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. The Emmy® nominated company has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players. The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—”The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story;” scripted series—”American Soul” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood;” unscripted series – “Cardi Tries;” children’s series—”Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices;” award shows—”BET Awards,” “Black Girls Rock!,” “BET Honors,” “UNCF’s An Evening of Stars,” “BET Hip Hop Awards,” “ABFF Honors” and “Soul Train Awards;” specials—”John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero,” “Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration,” “Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today,” “Stand Up for Heroes,” “Dear Mama,” “Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’,” “Def Comedy Jam 25” and “Leslie Jones: Time Machine;” as well as competition/game shows—”Sunday Best,” “Hip Hop Squares,” “Nashville Squares” and “Rhythm & Flow.” Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic Grammy Awards. Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards. He will next executive produce the 2021 American Music Awards. Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.

THE 16th ANNUAL “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” PREMIERES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021 AT 9 PM ET/PT ON BET 

#HIPHOPAWARDS 

September 20, 2021 –Today BET announces DOUBLE DIAMOND SELLING SUPERSTAR rapper and entrepreneur Nelly as the “BET Hip Hop Awards” recipient of the 2021 “I Am Hip Hop” Award. From chart-topping hits that include “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” (feat. Kelly Rowland), “Country Grammar,” “Ride Wit Me,” and “Cruise” (with Florida Georgia Line), to his popular fashion line Apple Bottoms, to starring in the hit series Real Husbands of Hollywood, and his own reality show Nellyville, the charismatic, multi-platinum music icon will be celebrated for his massive contributions to music and the culture at large. The “BET Hip Hop Awards” premieres Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 9:00 PM ET/PT. 

“I am honored to receive this award and humbled to be in such great company of past artists who have received this award,” said Nelly, this year’s I Am Hip Hop Award recipient. “I have been blessed to work with some incredible people in my career, making 22 years go by in the blink of an eye. This award isn’t just about Nelly; it is about my fans, BET, and the people that continue to support me and allow me to do what I love to do.” 

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 eightnods. 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. For the full list of nominees, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders, click HERE. 

ABOUT NELLY 

Diamond Selling, Multi-platinum, 3x Grammy award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and actor, NELLY, has continually raised the bar for the entertainment industry since stepping on the scene in 2000 with his distinctive vocals and larger-than-life personality. Over the past 20 years, he has released hit singles including “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” (feat. Kelly Rowland), “Country Grammar,” “Ride Wit Me,” “Just a Dream,” “Cruise” (with Florida Georgia Line), “The Fix,” “Millionaire” and more. RIAA ranks Nelly as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with 21 million albums sold in the United States. On December 11, 2009, Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade. 

The music mogul has also left his mark in other aspects of the industry, introducing his hugely successful women’s clothing line, Apple Bottoms and as part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats with Michael Jordan. Nelly also added sports commentator to his list of accomplishments with Fox Sports, making him one of few actors with three television shows airing simultaneously at the time with Fox Sports, Nellyville and Real Husbands of Hollywood. In 2005, he made his big screen debut in the Adam Sandler and Chris Rock hit remake The Longest Yard and Reach Me with Sylvester Stallone in 2014. Currently, he supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and is the only music artist to own a college, EI University, which provides education surrounding the music industry while Nelly himself provides scholarships. In addition to touring shows and promoting his latest single “High Horse” from the upcoming “Heartland” album, Nelly is also filming the new season of BET smash hit series Real Husbands of Hollywood, streaming exclusively on BET+ in 2022. 

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. 

For more information about the “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” including the latest news and updates, visit bet.com/hiphopawards. 

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to multiple BET social media platforms: 

On Twitter by using the hashtag: #HipHopAwards; follow us @HipHopAwards and @BET. 

On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/HipHopAwards. 

ABOUT BET 

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe. 

ABOUT “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” 

BET “Hip Hop Awards” is an annual celebration that pays homage to a culture that changed the world while highlighting the best in hip hop music. Year after year, BET delivers the best in hip-hop for an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers and tributes honoring hip-hop legends that have and continue to make hip-hop culture a global force.

THE MOST POWERFUL NIGHT IN HIP HOP THE 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” RETURNS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, FROM COBB ENERGY CENTER IN ATLANTA, GA 

#HIPHOPAWARDS 

New York, NY August 26, 2021 –  The 2021“BET Hip Hop Awards” will return to Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, October 1, with the broadcast premiere airing Tuesday, October 5, at 9 PM ET/PT on BET. The annual celebration will bring together the hottest names in hip hop to pay homage to the best in hip hop culture. The BET “Hip Hop Awards” reigns as one of the top three cable award shows for Black viewers of 2021 (BET Awards (#1), NAACP Image Awards (#2) and BET Hip Hop Awards (#3)* and ranks in the Top 10 for most watched social cable awards show in 2020.** The official 2021 “BET Hip Hop Awards” nominations, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders, performers and presenters are to be announced at a later date. BE Twill work closely with Fulton County to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols. 

“Hip hop is a global movement that embraces the diversity of expression and reflects what is affecting our community in a raw and unapologetic way,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “We look forward to celebrating this art form and returning to Atlanta for an unforgettable night of entertainment and culture synonymous with our high-rated signature tentpole events.” 

Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette to Co-Executive Produce 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. 

For more information about the “BET Hip Hop Awards” including the latest news and updates, visit bet.com/hiphopawards 

The “BET Hip Hop Awards” press application form to request credentials to cover the red carpet, show, or press room, will be available to submit for consideration at a later date. 

About The 2020 “BET Hip Hop Awards” 

The 2020 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” brought together some of the hottest names in music to celebrate Hip Hop’s biggest night. Hosted by comedy supergroup 85 South (Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean), the annual show delivered an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers, and tributes honoring hip-hop powerhouse including 2 Chainz, Adé, Beenie Man, Big Sean, Bobby Sessions, Bounty Killer, Brandy, Buddy, Burna Boy featuring Chris Martin, Chika, City Girls, Cordae, Deanté Hitchcock, DJ Hed, Erykah Badu, Flawless Real Talk, Flo Milli, Gucci Mane, H.E.R., Jack Harlow, Jhenè Aiko, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, Monica, Mulatto, Original Koffee, Pretty Yellow,Polo G, Quavo, Rapsody, Reuben Vincent, Shenseea, Skip Marley, T.I., Teyana Taylor, Tobe Nwigwe, Ty Dolla $ign, and ZJ Liquid.  Rapper, actor, producer, philanthropist and founder of the iconic hip hop label No Limit Records, Master P received the 2020 “I Am Hip Hop” Award. 

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to multiple BET social media platforms: 

On Twitter by using the hashtag: #HipHopAwards; follow us @HipHopAwards and @BET 

On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/HipHopAwards 

*Source: Nielsen Live + SD | Ranked on P18-49 Imps (000) | CY is based on NHI Calendar | Primetime Mon-Sun 8pm-11pm | Award Shows on home network only | Subject to qualifications which will be supplied upon request. 

**Source: Talkwalker Social