2021 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominations: Cardi B, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion Lead With 9 Each

New York, NY –  BET announces the nominees for the 16th annual BET Hip Hop Awards, honoring the past year in hip hop music across 17 categories, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders. With the theme of unity as expressed by its tagline “In Hip Hop We Stand,” the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards will tape from the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, October 1, and will premiere Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 9 pm ET/PT on BET, and simulcast internationally on BET Africa on Wednesday, October 6 at 3 am CAT.  BET will work closely with Fulton County to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

Cardi B, Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion lead this year’s nominations with impressive nine nods each. Cardi B’s nods include ‘Song of The Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of The Year,’ ‘ Best Hip Hop Video,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Hustler of The Year,’ and ‘Sweet 16: Best featured Verse’. Lil Durk’s nods include ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘ Best Hip Hop Video,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Duo or Group,’ and ‘Sweet 16: Best featured Verse’. Megan Thee Stallion’s nods include ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of the Year,’ ‘ Best Hip Hop Video,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ and ‘Sweet 16: Best featured Verse’. Drake takes second place with an impressive eight nods. Tyler, The Creator, and Metro Boomin tied for third-most nominations securing four nods each.

Other notable nominations include 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, and Pooh Shiesty, who received three nominations 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.

Additionally, the ‘Best New Hip Hop Artist’ Award nominees include Blxst, Coi Leray, Don Toliver, Morray, Pooh Shiesty, and Yung Bleu.

“Our 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees span generations and are a representation of the talented individuals who elevate hip hop culture in creative and diverse ways. We congratulate each of them on these sought-after accolades,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy for BET. “We can’t wait to join forces with the best in hip hop and deliver a one-of-a-kind show in Atlanta.”

Voting for the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards DJ of the Year and Best Hip Hop Platform is now open:  https://www.votehiphopawards.com 

Orlando will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy serving as Co-Executive Producer. 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, click here.

See below for the complete list of 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards Official Nominees:

HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A Gangsta’s Pain – Moneybagg Yo
Call Me If You Get Lost – Tyler, The Creator
Culture Iii – Migos
Good News – Megan Thee Stallion
Khaled Khaled – DJ Khaled
Savage Mode Ii – 21 Savage & Metro Boomin
The Off-Season – J. Cole

SONG OF THE YEAR
Back In Blood – Produced By Yc (Pooh Shiesty Feat. Lil Durk)
Late At Night – Produced By Mustard (Roddy Ricch)
Laugh Now Cry Later – Produced By G. Ry, Cardogotwings, Roget Chahayed & Yung Exclusive (Drake Feat. Lil Durk)
Up – Produced By Yung Dza, Sean Island, Dj Swanqo (Cardi B)
Wap – Produced By Ayo & Keyz (Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
Whole Lotta Money (Remix) – Produced By London Jae, Beatgodz, Tee Romano (Bia Feat. Nicki Minaj)

HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Cardi B
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Tyler, The Creator

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Cardi B – Up
Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion – Wap
Chris Brown & Young Thug – Go Crazy
Drake Feat. Lil Durk – Laugh Now Cry Later
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Saweetie Feat. Doja Cat – Best Friend

BEST NEW HIP HOP ARTIST
Blxst
Coi Leray
Don Toliver
Morray
Pooh Shiesty
Yung Bleu

BEST COLLABORATION
21 Savage & Metro Boomin Feat. Drake – Mr. Right Now
Bia Feat. Nicki Minaj – Whole Lotta Money (Remix)
Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion – Wap
DJ Khaled Feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk – Every Chance I Get
Drake Feat. Lil Durk – Laugh Now Cry Later
Pooh Shiesty Feat. Lil Durk – Back In Blood

BEST DUO OR GROUP
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Future & Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Baby & Lil Durk
Migos

BEST LIVE PERFORMER
Busta Rhymes
Cardi B
DaBaby
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
Tyler, The Creator

LYRICIST OF THE YEAR
Benny The Butcher
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Nas

BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW
Ladipoe (Nigeria)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Xamà (Brazil)
Laylow (France)
Gazo (France)
Little Simz (UK)
Dave (UK)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Director X
Hype Williams
Missy Elliott

DJ OF THE YEAR
Chase B
D Nice
DJ Cassidy
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Scheme
Kaytranada

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
DJ Khaled
Hit-Boy
Metro Boomin
Mustard
The Alchemist
Tyler, The Creator

HUSTLER OF THE YEAR
Cardi B
Drake
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Saweetie
Yung Bleu

BEST HIP HOP PLATFORM
Complex
Genius
Hip Hop Dx
Hot New Hip Hop
The Breakfast Club
The Shade Room
Worldstar Hip Hop
XXL

SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE
Cardi B – Type Shit (Migos Feat. Cardi B)
Drake – Havin’ Our Way (Migos Feat. Drake)
Jay-Z – What It Feels Like (Nipsey Hussle Feat. Jay-Z)
Lil Durk – Back In Blood (Pooh Shiesty Ft. Lil Durk)
Megan The Stallion – On Me (Remix) (Lil Baby Ft. Megan Thee Stallion)
Roddy Ricch – Lemonade (Remix) (Internet Money Feat. Don Toliver & Roddy Ricch)

IMPACT TRACK
Black Thought – Thought Vs Everybody
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Lil Baby & Kirk Franklin – We Win
Meek Mill Feat. Lil Durk – Pain Away
Nipsey Hussle Feat. Jay-Z – What It Feels Like
Rapsody – 12 Problems

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