BET Hip Hop Awards 2010 Nominees: Who I think Should Win

People's Champ Award:
B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars-Nothin' On You
Nicki Minaj-Your Love
Eminem-Not Afraid
Gucci Mane-Lemonade
Drake-Over
Cali Swagg District-Teach Me How to Dougie

Yes, I'm a huge Drake fan, and that's why I picked this song.  It is the people champ award, and these are all favorites.  Not Afraid did break records, but I'm personally not a huge fan of the song.

Perfect Combo:
B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars-Nothin' On You
Dirty Money feat. Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross-Hello Good Morning (Remix)
Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem-Forever
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys-Empire State of Mind

DJ Khaled f. Rick Ross, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Jadakiss and Nicki Minaj-All I Do Is Win

"Empire State of Mind" was a huge record, and the fact that they could make everyone around the world connect to their anthem of New York, even if they haven't been there before, speaks volumes.

Best Hip Hop Video:
B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars-Nothin' On You
Drake-Find Your Love
Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna-Run This Town
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys-Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z and Swizz Beats-On To The Next

I wouldn't consider the song to be a "hip hop song" but it was a great video.  A strong storyline video that held your attention even though it was close to 9 minutes long.  Definitely made me love a song that at first I found to be underwhelming. 

Best Live Performer:
Busta Rhymes
Drake
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Lil Wayne

Some of these nominees are weird because they weren't on tour, but I would have to pick Jay-Z because he can connect to his fans on stage.  When he talks, it feels like he's speaking directly to you, and when he performs, it feels like he genuinely cares that you have a good time.  I've have seen him 3 times thus far and have never been bored.

CD of The Year:
Jay-Z-Blueprint 3
Drake-Thank Me Later
Eminem-Recovery
B.o.B-B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Rick Ross-Teflon Don

This was a hard choice for me, because I like both album.  There was a lot of hype for both of these albums, and both artists delivered.  The fact that TML came out 9 months after BP3 makes it strange to compare the 2 though, so I can't choose one over the other.

Track of The Year:
B.o.B. feat Hayley Williams-"Airplanes" (prod. by Alex Da Kid and DJ Frankie)
DJ Khaled feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross-"All I Do Is Win" (prod. DJ Nasty and LVM)
Young Money feat. Lloyd-BedRock (prod by Kane Beatz)
Rick Ross feat. Plies-BMF (prod by Lex Luger)
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys-Empire State of Mind (prod by Alexander Shuckburgh)

Again, this was pretty much an anthem for everyone no matter what their hometown.  I did like "Bedrock," but there was too many rappers on it, so after the second chorus I was no longer interested.

Rookie of the Year:
Chiddy Bang
J. Cole
Waka Flacka Flame
Nicki Minaj
Roscoe Dash

J. Cole will be a force to be reckoned with.  His mixtape "The Warm Up" will probably be defined as classic as the years pass, and he shows a promising future.  Honorable mention to Nicki Minaj because was featured on a lot of people'a songs, but her solo songs leave much to be desired.

Hustler of The Year:
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Diddy
Jay-Z
T.I.

I think all over them pretty much hustled this year.  Drake has a commercial plane named after him, Nicki has her Barbie crew, Diddy has Dirty Money and Diddy Beats, Jay-Z's Roc Nation show a lot of promise, and T.I. acting and singles did make you pay attention.  It would be hard to choose.  I just chose Jay-Z because I'm pretty sure he's set for life.  But for this year specifially, I also have to give it to Drake and Nicki.

Made You Look Award:
B.o.B.
T.I.
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Nicki Minaj

It kinda hard to choose for this category, because how do you defined what makes you look?  Kanye's 2009 VMA moment was epic, and his arrival on twitter and G.O.O.D. Friday songs are note worthy.  But also Nicki really does make you look with her outfits and rap delivery.  They can both get this one.

Best Club Banger:
Diddy-Dirty Money f. T.I. and Rick Ross (Produced by Dania and Timbaland)-"Hello Good Morning"
DJ Khaled f. T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg (Produced by DJ Nasty and LVM)-"All I Do Is Win"
Rick Ross f. Styles P (Produced by Lex Luger)-"BMF"
Young Jeezy f. Plies (Produced by Drumma Boy)-"Lose My Mind"
Waka Flocka Flame (Produced by L-Don Beatz)-"O Let's Do It"

I also am not a huge fan of any of these songs.  But I like T.I. verse on Hello Good Morning.

Lyricist of The Year:
Drake
Jay-Z
Nicki Minaj
Eminem
Lil Wayne

They all had a strong year, but I will have to go with Drake.  I would also give it to Jay-Z because he had a great album and he guest verses this year were bananas.

MVP of the Year:
Drake
Jay-Z
B.o.B.
Eminem
Rick Ross

Again, it always comes down to Drake and Jay-Z this year.  I think Jay shows that he's consistent and will be around for a while, but Drake still hasn't shown all he's got.  They both had amazing years.

Video Director of The Year:
Hype Williams
Chris Robinson
Gil Green
Beeny Boom
Mr. Boomtown

I'm going to write in Anthony Mandler.  His visuals this year were crazy, and he also creates a vision unique to each artist he works with.

Producer of The Year:
Boi-1da
Drumma Boy
Lex Luger
Swizz Beatz
Polow Da Don

"Not Afraid"? "Forever"? "Over"? This producer showed this year that he has hits for days.

DJ of The Year:
Funk Masterflex
DJ Drama
DJ Tony Neal
DJ Holliday
DJ Khaled

Probably the most famous DJ on this list.  For him, its about the music and not his self promotion.

Best Hip Hop Blog:
AllHipHop.com
NahRight.com
Rapradar.com
Thisis50.com
WorldStarHipHop.com

Updated quickly, this is a blog I follow on twitter so that I'm always in the know.  Shoutout to them for also posting episodes of popular shows like "The Boondocks" and "Entourage"