Kendrick Lamar's Quartet of Wins Steals the Show at BET Hip Hop Awards

LL Cool J performs onstage during the BET Hip-Hop Awards 2023. Photo Credit: Getty Images for BET 

The BET Hip Hop Awards celebrated the incredible 50-year history of the genre. It was a night of triumph for Kendrick Lamar, who clinched a record-breaking four awards, solidifying his position as a dominant force in hip-hop.

Lamar's accomplishments were nothing short of extraordinary. He claimed the Hip Hop Artist of the Year award for the third time, a testament to his enduring influence. In the Best Live Performer category, he secured his fourth win, joining the elite ranks of Kanye West and Jay-Z. The Lyricist of the Year award marked his ninth triumph, solidifying his status as a lyrical heavyweight. And in a unique feat, Lamar and his frequent collaborator Dave Free received Best Video Director of the Year for the second consecutive year, a distinction not witnessed since Hype Williams' four-year reign from 2009-12.

JUST IN: Kendrick Lamar wins Hip Hop Artist of the Year at 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. pic.twitter.com/PhTSTLCCcV

— For Your Entertainment (@fyetertainment) October 11, 2023

The evening was also a showcase of thrilling performances. Sexyy Redd ignited the stage with chart-toppers like "Pound Town," "Shake Yo Dreads" and "SkeeYee," while DJ Kid Capri, D-Nice, and host Fat Joe set the night on fire with a DJ battle. The audience was taken on a mesmerizing musical journey by Scott Storch and Spinderella.

GloRilla and Fivio Foreign delivered a dynamic performance, presenting their latest hit, "Cha Cha Cha." The City Girls wowed with a dance-infused rendition of "No Bars" and "Face Down." DaBaby wrapped up the night with a medley of hits, including "Ghetto Girls," "Shake Sumn Remix" with Sexyy Redd, and "Project Chick" featuring Juvenile and Mannie Fresh.

The event also featured touching tributes. LL Cool J and Rakim led a poignant tribute to Marley Marl, the recipient of the I Am Hip Hop Award. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of So So Def and its visionary founder, Jermaine Dupri, the night showcased an impressive lineup of hip-hop luminaries, including Bonecrusher, Chingy, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Nelly, Bow Wow, Da Brat, Dem Franchize Boyz and Tyrese.

The cypher, presented by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, saw lyrical titans like Bun B, Cassidy, Foggieraw, Gloss Up, Lady London, Lola Brooke, Scar Lip and Symba engaged in intense lyrical showdowns. The digital cypher featured DJ Hed, LaNell Grant, Maiya The Don and That Mexican OT.

Kiernan "AKA" Forbes was posthumously honored with the Global Visionary Award for his profound influence on global hip-hop. Family members Lynn and Tony Forbes accepted the award during a touching tribute segment for international broadcasts of the BET Hip Hop Awards 2023.

The awards show, though pre-recorded, aired on Tuesday night and featured special appearances by DJ Envy of "The Breakfast Club" and DC YoungFly, host of "Celebrity Squares." The cast of "The Impact: ATL" (Ari Fletcher, Lakeyah) and stars from "Basketball Wives: LA" and "Basketball Wives: Orlando" (Brooke Bailey, Nique Brown, Mehgan James) added to the event's grandeur.

The 2023 Award Winners

• Hip Hop Album of the Year: Drake & 21 Savage - "Her Loss"
• Best Hip Hop Video: Lil Uzi Vert - "Just Wanna Rock"
• Best Collaboration: Lil Durk feat. J. Cole - "All My Life"
• Best Duo or Group: Drake & 21 Savage
• Best Live Performer: Kendrick Lamar
• Lyricist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
• Video Director of the Year: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
• Song of the Year: Lil Uzi Vert - "Just Wanna Rock"
• Hip Hop Artist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
• Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist: Ice Spice
• Hustler of the Year: 50 Cent
• Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse: Jay-Z - "God Did" (DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy)
• Impact Track: Lil Durk feat. J. Cole - "All My Life"
• Producer of the Year (Digital): Metro Boomin
• DJ of the Year: Metro Boomin
• Best Hip Hop Platform: "Caresha Please"
• Best International Flow: Black Sherif (Ghana)

Celebrate 50 Years of Hip-Hop with JID and 5 Gum's Musical Collaboration

5 gum and JID honor 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop with new track inspired by iconic artists from the genre, available exclusively on five vintage Boomboxes, set to play the song only 5 times in a lifetime.

In a tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, critically acclaimed rapper JID has joined forces with 5 Gum to create an extraordinary musical experience for genre enthusiasts. To celebrate this monumental milestone, 5 Gum and JID have co-crafted a unique track infused with audio references from five of hip-hop's most influential albums.

These iconic albums, including Ludacris' "Word of Mouf," Mary J. Blige's "What's the 411?," Common's "Resurrection," The Roots' "Phrenology" and Timbaland's "Shock Value," serve as the wellspring of inspiration for this musical piece.

However, only five fortunate fans will have the opportunity to experience this track. Each cassette tape, featuring JID's song, is intentionally designed to "self-destruct" after just five listens, elevating the listening experience to an entirely new level of uniqueness.

"When 5 gum approached me with this opportunity, I was thrilled to work on a project that revolves around that thrilling experience of hearing a deep and meaningful song for the very first time," JID said in a release announcing the project. "To pay homage to some of the most iconic names in Hip Hop through this campaign is really dope. I hope the fans who hear the track enjoy it as much as I do."

Adding an extra layer of uniqueness to this musical journey, each of the five limited-edition retro boomboxes, housing JID's track, is meticulously crafted from upcycled vintage devices. These boomboxes boast transparent casings, vintage analog counters, and lucite-embedded volume knobs. Their centerpiece is a unique item—a piece of Peppermint Cobalt 5 gum, chewed by the artist himself.

The "5 in a Lifetime" campaign is now open for entries and will remain so until Tuesday, October 31st. For a chance to be among the fortunate few who get their hands on one of these unique boomboxes and experience JID's exclusive track, click here.

JID, whose full name is Destin Choice Route, is an integral figure in the hip-hop scene. He's a part of the musical collective Spillage Village, founded by EarthGang in 2010, alongside Hollywood JB, JordxnBryant, and 6lack, among others. Signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records and Interscope Records, JID is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, collaborating with artists like Smino, Buddy, and Guapdad 4000.

In 2017, he released his debut studio album, "The Never Story," which garnered widespread acclaim and featured the hit single "Never." In 2018, JID released his second album, "DiCaprio 2," which included popular singles like "151 Rum" and "Off Deez" (featuring J. Cole), and garnered critical acclaim. In 2021, he reached new heights with the single "Enemy" in collaboration with pop rock band Imagine Dragons, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. JID's latest album, "The Forever Story" (2022), has received acclaim from critics and reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

To further commemorate the anniversary of hip-hop, 5 Gum is gifting a unique analog boombox and making a $20,000 donation to The Hip Hop Museum. This contribution supports the museum's mission to preserve the rich history and culture of hip-hop music. The Hip Hop Museum will open its doors to the public in 2025, allowing visitors to explore and experience the cultural significance and history of hip-hop.

Rocky Bucano, founder and Executive Director of The Hip Hop Museum, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, "We are incredibly thankful for 5 Gum including The Hip Hop Museum in their initiatives to celebrate Hip Hop's 50th anniversary. The cultural influence of hip-hop goes far beyond music and entertainment. It's a global movement that brings people together and inspires them to actively chase their dreams. The support from 5 Gum and JID greatly assists in furthering our museum's mission to inspire, empower, and promote understanding of this rich culture's history."

Simone Biles Makes History as the Most Decorated Gymnast with 6th World All-Around Title

Courtesy Photo USA Gymnastics

Simone Biles added yet another chapter to her legendary career by clinching the individual all-around title at the world championships for the sixth time on Friday. This remarkable feat not only solidifies her status as the most decorated gymnast in history but also exemplifies her enduring excellence in the sport.

A decade after her initial triumph in the same Belgian city at the tender age of 16, Biles demonstrated her unmatched prowess once again. Her performance garnered an impressive 58.399 points across the balance beam, floor, vault, and uneven bars, outshining Rebeca Andrade, the Brazilian defending champion, by a substantial 1.633 points.

SIMONE'S REACTION 😮

The moment Simone Biles won her 21st world championship medal and a record-tying sixth world all-around title. #Antwerp2023 pic.twitter.com/F56kiqi0jy

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) October 6, 2023

This victory marked Biles' 27th world championship medal, with an astounding 21 of them being gold. Her latest achievement followed a mere two days after she led the U.S. women's team to an unprecedented seventh consecutive victory in the team event.

Simone Biles' triumphant return to competition comes less than a year before the Paris Olympics. Despite formidable competition from Andrade and Jones, she continues to stand head and shoulders above the rest, a full decade after her reign began.

SHE IS THE MOMENT ✨@Simone_Biles kicks off the women's all-around competition with a nearly perfect 15.100 on vault!#Antwerp2023 | 📺 @peacockpic.twitter.com/jREtmXwRI6

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) October 6, 2023

Biles has maintained her dominance since returning to the sport after a two-year hiatus prompted by struggles with a mental block known as "the twisties," which affected her performance in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics. Although she withdrew from the individual all-around competition in Tokyo to prioritize her mental well-being, her return has showcased her unwavering commitment to excellence.

Her impressive comeback commenced with a remarkable display at the U.S. Classic in early August, followed by her eighth national title a few weeks later. This week marks her first appearance at the world championships since 2019.

Biles' journey continues, with upcoming competitions including the women's vault and uneven bars finals on Saturday and the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Sunday.

Friday's triumph further solidified Biles' standing, with a record-breaking total of 34 medals at the Olympics and world championships combined, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. At 26 years old, she has become the oldest U.S. woman ever to secure a world championships medal. Furthermore, her remarkable undefeated streak in all-around competitions has spanned since 2013.