Undoubtedly, the most exciting part of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards are the cyphers. This year, there were numerous freestyle performances from both veterans and up-and-coming rhyme-slingers worth mentioning. The "West Coast" cypher boast established rappers Snoop Dogg and E-40, and newcomer Kendrick Lamar.
One of the most touching performances at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards was the tribute to Chris Lighty, the visionary manager of hip-hop stars, who died from an apparent suicide in September. The tribute was a powerful display of unity among rappers rarely seen in the genre.
Despite Rick Ross' brief skirmish with Young Jeezy backstage at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards, the Miami rapper seemed unfazed by it all as he came out shirtless (of course) with his jeans nearly around his knees during his performance at the awards ceremony.
Veteran lyricist Rakim Allah received the prestigious I Am Hip-Hop Award during the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards telecast. If there's one rapper that embodies hip-hop, it's Rakim, whom many regard as the "God MC."
Kendrick Lamar performed 'The Recipe' (the hometown ode to his native state of California), at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Behind a video screen flicking images of his Los Angeles, Lamar gave the crowd a tour of his beloved left coast.
Wiz Khalifa kicked of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards with a performance of 'Work Hard, Play Hard.' Dressed in all black with a motorcycle jacket and matching fedora, Wizzy got the crowd hype for his anthemic song.
The 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards were tapped on Sept. 29, but the show debuted tonight (Oct. 9), and with a bang! Wiz Khalifa hit the stage performing his summer anthem 'Work Hard Play Hard' before a slew of winners were announced.
Just days after video surfaced of Gunplay getting into a scuffle with 50 Cent's G-Unit crew at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards, new footage has emerge of the skirmish. The video shows the Maybach Music Group associate being pummeled by five G-Unit members including rapper Mike Knox.
Footage of the infamous scuffle between Rick Ross and Young Jeezy backstage at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards has surfaced online. TMZ posted a grainy smart phone video capturing the moments after both parties met in the hallway at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center.
Though the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards was supposed to a night of celebration, it quickly turned into a night of violence and terror for two camps. Rick Ross' entourage and Young Jeezy's crew reportedly got into a heated battle -- that may or may not have culminated in gunshots.
