- [Host] With the 15th annual BET hip hop awards coming up.
We're looking forward to some great performances.
Let's take a look back at the first time
some of our legends, favorites
and new school artists perform on a hip hop awards stage.
Nas.
One of the illest in the gang,
graced the hip hop awards stage in 2008.
And brought the house down as he performed 'Hero.'
A true lyricist.
- ♪ Can't leave it. The game needs him ♪
♪ And the people need someone to believe in ♪
♪ So in God's son we trust ♪
♪ Cause they know I'ma give you whatchu want ♪
♪ You lookin' for a ♪
- ♪ Hero ♪
- ♪ I guess that makes me a ♪
- ♪ Hero ♪
- ♪ Rubber grip holder reloader ♪
♪ Come at me, I'ma rip your soldiers in half ♪
♪ Silverback ape, nickel plated mag ♪
♪ Young, rich and flashy ♪
♪ Young trip, I'm nasty ♪
♪ All black clothes 'till ice lay on me, so classy ♪
♪ And every time I close my lids ♪
♪ Can still see the borough, still see the bridge ♪
♪ Still see the dreams, my people ain't never lived to see ♪
♪ Tell them angels open the door for me ♪
- [Host] Lil Kim
In 2019, Brooklyn's own Kimberly Jones.
Better known as Lil Kim, the queen B.
Was honored with the 'I am Hip Hop' icon award.
Where she performed a medley of her most classic songs.
But 2019 was not Lil Kim's first time on the award stage.
In 2015, Lil Kim made a surprise appearance
hopping on a stage with her friend, Diddy.
Nipsey Hussle.
Nipsey has become a legend in his own right.
From his music to his entrepreneurship.
But before we were introduced to the marathon,
he brought his grit, talent and skills
to the 2009 BET cipher.
He later shared his talent on the stage
with Texas rapper, Duro.
Lending the verse on the 'Ice Cream Paint Job' remix.
Nelly.
This year is 2021 BET hip hop awards
will honor rapper Nelly
with the 'I am Hip Hop' icon award.
So it's only fitting that we relive
his very first time performing on a hip hop stage.
Take a look back as he filled the room with energy.
And had the audience jumping.
- ♪ Damn I said, now what's your name Girl? ♪
♪ I said, shawty what's your sign? ♪
♪ Now tell me, where your man at? ♪
♪ Where he at? ♪
♪ Hey ♪
- [Host] The BET hip hop awards honor the culture.
The music and the craft.
Take a look back at some of our favorites
when they graced this coveted stage
for the very first time.
Ludacris.
Talk about the first one to do it.
Ludacris opened the first ever BET hip hop awards show
in the ATL with Jermaine Dupri performing their smash hit.
'Welcome to Atlanta.'
Luda and JD put on for their city.
Welcoming us to Atlanta in a big way.
- ♪ Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play ♪
♪ And we ride on dem things like everyday ♪
♪ Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin' ♪
♪ And parties don't stop till 8 in the mornin' ♪
- ♪ Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play ♪
♪ And we ride on dem things like everyday ♪
♪ Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin' ♪
♪ And parties don't stop till 8 in the mornin' ♪
- ♪ Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play ♪
♪ And we ride on dem things like everyday ♪
♪ Big beats, hit streets, see gangsta's roamin' ♪
♪ And parties don't stop till 8 in the mornin' ♪
- A town baby
T-Pain
In 2018, T-Pain pulled double duty.
Not only was it the year he first performed
at the hip hop awards.
He was also host of the show.
- ♪ Let's talk about you ♪
♪ And me ♪
♪ Oh, I can't believe it ♪
♪ Oohh ooh ♪
♪ She all on me, on me ♪
♪ Man, man ♪
♪ I think she want me, want me ♪
♪ Nah I can't leave her lonely ♪
♪ No ♪
- [Host] Gucci.
Some artists are just synonymous with hip hop and the A.
And rapper Gucci Mane is one of them.
As one of the pioneers of trap.
Gucci made his first appearance
performing breakup featuring singer Mario.
But he kept the party going with this classic song 'Wasted.'
- ♪ Rock star lifestyle, might don't make it ♪
♪ Livin' life ♪
♪ Everyday click wasted ♪
♪ Sipping on purple stuff, rolling up ♪
♪ Wake up in the mornin' 10 o'clock drinking ♪
♪ Party, party, party. Lets all get wasted. ♪
♪ Shake it for me baby girl. Do it butt naked ♪
♪ I'm so wasted, she so wasted ♪
- ♪ Tell the bartender send 20 more cases ♪
- [Host] Fat Joe.
In 2012, it was a party for real.
When Fat Joe hit the stage for the first time
with Busta Rhymes.
Performing the Anthem of all club bangers, lean back.
The crowd was doing all the leaning,
rockin', poppin' and shaking.
When Joey from the Bronx performed on this night.
Lil Wayne.
After releasing the Carter in 2004.
We knew Wayne had something to say.
When he hit the stage for the first time
with Birdman in 2006 to perform 'Stuntin' like my daddy.'
He made his presence clear.
His hot streak only soared higher
after this fire performance.
- ♪ I be ♪
- ♪ I be stuntin' like my ♪
♪ Yes I be stuntin' like my ♪
- ♪ Yeah ♪
- ♪ Yes I be stuntin' like my ♪
- ♪ And I am the one stunner ♪
♪ Because I be ♪
- ♪ Stuntin' like my daddy ♪
- ♪ Come on shawty ♪
- ♪ When I was 16, I bought my first Mercedes-Benz ♪
♪ Imma must of (beep) 1000 (beep) and her girlfriends ♪
♪ White leather ♪
♪ Hot new pair of rims ♪
♪ Brand new pistol with a trigger like a hair pin ♪
- [Host] Its always a good time
when new artists join in the fun at the BET hip hop awards.
Giving us a modern take on culture and music.
Migos.
Since their debut the Migos have given us hit after hit.
This group had the BET stage lit in 2014.
With their fight night performance,
they had the crowd going crazy.
Cardi B
It's easy to love Cardi B
and this performance arguably solidified her spot
as a hip hop awards fave.
After taking the summer by storm in 2017,
Cardi B paid homage to the BX and showed out
for her highly anticipated performance of 'Bodak Yellow'
- ♪ I said, I get the money and go ♪
♪ This shit is hot like a stove ♪
♪ My (beep) glitter as gold ♪
♪ Tell that lil' (beep) play her role ♪
♪ I just arrove in a Rolls ♪
♪ I just came up in a wraith ♪
♪ I need to fill up the tank ♪
♪ No, I need to fill up the safe ♪
♪ I need to let all these (beep) know ♪
♪ That none of they mans is safe ♪
♪ I go to dinner and steak ♪
♪ Only the real can relate ♪
♪ I used to live in the P's ♪
♪ Now its a crib with a gate ♪
♪ Rollies got charms, like frosted flakes ♪
♪ Had to let these (beep) know♪
♪ Just in case these (beep) forgot ♪
♪ I just went and checked the mail ♪
♪ Another check from Mona Scott ♪
- [Host] Lil Baby
When rapper Lil Baby burst on the music scene.
The world was all ears.
Lil baby commanded the same attention
when he rocked the mic for the first time
at the 2018 BET hip hop awards.
Performing 'Drip too Hard' with Gunner.
Saweetie.
Rapper, mogul and everyone's favorite icy girl.
Saweetie made her debut on stage,
performing her hit song 'My Type.'
And paid homage to the original rom.
Bringing out PD Pablo to perform with her.
We hope you've enjoyed this look back
at the first time artists perform
on the BET hip hop awards stage.
Be sure to tune in this year,
when all your faves light up the stage.
With some jaw dropping appearances,
surprises and sure fire performances.