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Black Thought’s Epic Freestyle Is Nominated For A Grammy

The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards were announced Friday (November 10). As the symbolic 50th year for Hip-Hop marches towards its close, there are several nominated albums and songs that exemplify the benchmark year and the culture. In the "Best Rap Performance" category, Black Thought's "Love Letter" is nominated.... Read more

November 10, 2023 News, Trending Stories

Who Should Be In The Tournament To Name The Greatest Rap Crew

Join the rap battle of the century as we pit the greatest rap crews of all time against each other. Will your favorite crew come out on top? BET Digital is proud to launch a tournament-style competition with Ambrosia For Heads, who serves as a content partner, to let fans... Read more

April 25, 2023 Greatest Rap Crew

The Tournament To Decide The GOAT Rap Crew Is Coming

In celebration of Hip-Hop’s upcoming 50th anniversary on August 11th, 2023, BET, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is proud to launch a tournament-style competition to let fans debate and determine the Greatest Rap Crew. Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all time, this is... Read more

April 24, 2023 Greatest Rap Crew

Rap City Is Back For One Night Only…For Now

BET's Rap City was a staple of Hip-Hop culture for nearly 20 years. The show evolved with Rap culture over a series of hosts, studios, and themes. Through it all, BET found a vehicle that was a rival to Yo! MTV Raps as a vessel of the music on television. From 1989 to late 2008,... Read more

October 5, 2021 News, TV, TV/Film

Griselda, Busta Rhymes & Method Man Perform A Tribute For DMX (Video)

Nearly three months after the unexpected passing of DMX, the music community continues to mourn Earl Simmons. That was clear with the tribute at the 2021 BET Awards. Broadcasting Sunday night (June 27), a handful of X's Rap peers honored the legend with a performance medley curated by Swizz Beatz.... Read more

June 28, 2021 Video

King Los Kicks The Best Verse Of The Night In The Last Standing BET Cypher

Last night (October 8), BET broadcast the 2019 Hip Hop Awards. The event included a tribute to Lil' Kim (featuring a Junior M.A.F.I.A. reunion of sorts), performances by Rapsody, YBN Cordae, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, Rick Ross, and a salute to Battle Rap. Notably, a TV event recognized for... Read more

October 9, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Joey Bada$$ Brings Back Rap City’s Booth With Beast Coast & Big Tigger (Video)

At just 24 years old, Joey Bada$$ has been a purveyor of 1990s and 2000s Rap styles throughout the last decade—even if he was not around to firsthand witness all of it. The Pro Era front-man often represents a Brooklyn not unlike crews such as the Boot Camp Clik and... Read more

May 10, 2019 The Bridge, Video

Open Mike Eagle’s New TV Show To Feature MF DOOM, Phonte & Method Man

Chicago, Illinois MC Open Mike Eagle has inserted wit and drama into his music for years. The artist behind such releases as 2016's Hella Personal Film Festival (with producer Paul White), 2017's Brick Body Kids Still Daydream, and last year's What Happens When I Try To Relax EP has partnered... Read more

March 22, 2019 News, TV, TV/Film, Video

Trae Compares Bars By Scarface & Bun B. His Ratings May Mess With 2 Texas Legends

Trae Tha Truth rates the bars of Scarface and Bun B in a specially-themed episode of Rate The Bars. The H-Town veteran compares excerpts from two O.G.'s widely considered to be ambassadors of Texas Rap to the rest of the world. In the '80s and '90s, Face and Bun Beata were... Read more

January 21, 2019 Video

Too Short & Others Explain How Record Companies Are Robbing Artists Blind (Video)

For decades, record labels and the artists they represented, have developed a love/hate relationship. If the public bought records, fame followed. Fortune, however, was not guaranteed. Some of the more successful artists across music did not receive compensation to reflect their success on charts or stages. In the most recent... Read more

January 2, 2019 Video

A New TV Series On Don Cornelius Will Show The Wild Trip Of His Soul Train

From 1971 to 1993, Don Cornelius hosted "the hippest trip in America" courtesy of Soul Train. The syndicated show was an institution not only for tuned-in audiences, but for many Black artists in R&B, Soul, Funk, and eventually, Rap music. Furthermore, Soul Train showed viewers of all races the talent,... Read more

November 28, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Reason Represents TDE With One Of This Year’s Best Cypher Verses (Video)

2018 has been the year Reason's music career has really started to take off. Beginning the year with an appearance on Top Dawg Entertainment's #1 charting Black Panther Soundtrack, Reason has since gone on to officially sign with the coveted label, re-release his debut album There You Have It with... Read more

October 16, 2018 Video

Bobby Brown Reunites With Babyface & Teddy Riley For The Next Movement (Audio)

In the last week, Bobby Brown has been back in the spotlight. BET broadcast The Bobby Brown Story, a follow-up to 2017's New Edition mini-series. Bobby Brown is a producer on the special. While Woody McCain reprised his role as the Boston, Massachusetts chart-topper on the small screen, the real-life... Read more

September 10, 2018 Audio

The 1st Peak At The Trayvon Martin Film Is A Powerful Look At The Movement He Launched

JAY-Z is in the midst of promoting his joint album EVERYTHING IS LOVE with his wife Beyoncé. The couple is currently on their On The Run 2 Tour this summer. However, at the same time, the legendary Brooklyn, New York MC is continuing his political initiatives to spread awareness of... Read more

July 3, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

The First Look At The Bobby Brown Story Is Absolutely Crazy (Video)

Bobby Brown's life story is an inspirational and cautionary tale. The Boston, Massachusetts-bred "Every Little Step" singer who achieved worldwide fame as a solo artist following his departure from New Edition in the mid-1980s. By the '90s, Brown also played a hand in molding Top 40 radio to accept more... Read more

June 29, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Anita Baker’s Lifetime Achievement Tribute Performance Brings Us All Joy (Video)

Last night (June 24), Anita Baker received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2018 BET Awards. The gesture places the iconic songstress in the company of Prince, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, and others. One of music's "quiet storms," Baker's career is profiled, from her real messages of love, loss, and... Read more

June 25, 2018 Video

Nas, Rakim, Pete Rock & More Break Down Why AZ Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best Visualizers (Video)

Twenty years ago this month, AZ released his sophomore album, Pieces Of A Man. The Brooklyn, New York MC, author, and co-founder of The Firm has a decorated career that is still very much in swing. Previously, BET released portions of their #20YrsLtr: Doe or Die documentary featuring AZ, but... Read more

April 17, 2018 Video

Debra Lee Is Stepping Away From Running BET After Leading For More Than A Decade

Since 2005, Debra L. Lee has served as the Chairman & CEO of BET Networks. While, one of the most powerful Black women in all of media will retain both of her current titles, today (December 14), it has been announced that Lee is stepping away from her day-to-day duties... Read more

December 14, 2017 TV, TV/Film

Mysonne Used His Turn In The Spotlight To Shed Light In An Underrated BET Cypher (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the LAST... Read more

October 17, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

Uncle Luke Was The Original Hip-Hop Pioneer Who Fought For Free Speech And Won (Video)

Luther Campbell, better known under his monikers Uncle Luke or Luke Skyywalker, is often revered as one of the pioneers of Hip-Hop music south of the Mason-Dixon line. On the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards stage, receiving the night's honorary "I Am Hip Hop Award," Luke asserted his history from... Read more

October 11, 2017 News, Video

Eminem Destroys Donald Trump For 5 Minutes In A Devastating BET Cypher (Video)

Beginning in 2009, the MC cypher has taken center stage at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Exciting groupings of rappers, often tied by region and label affiliation or simply raw talent, freestyle on one of the mainstream Rap world's biggest platforms. Eminem is a cornerstone of the Hip Hop Awards... Read more

October 10, 2017 Video

Royce 5’9 Rates The Bars Of Today’s Rappers & It Gets Ugly (Video)

Royce 5'9 has secured a place at the top of Hip-Hop's present day songwriters. The Detroit, Michigan MC has proven exceptional at writing from personal places and, at times, simply showing off wordplay, clever punchlines, and cunning jabs at lesser lyricists. Royce 5’9 Sets The Bar 4 2017 With The... Read more

July 28, 2017 Video

Chance Is The Youngest Person To Receive BET’s Humanitarian Award (Video)

Chance The Rapper began 2017 taking home three Grammy Awards, despite releasing a not-for-sale album. Tonight (June 25), the Chance received the Humanitarian Award at the BET Awards. At just 24 years old, Chancelor Bennett joins Muhammad Ali, Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Denzel Washington, Jesse Williams, and others. He became... Read more

June 25, 2017 News, Video

GZA Once Sliced Apart A Dre Beat Using His Verbal Liquid Swords (Video)

In 2002, GZA was fast at work on his fourth solo album (the third since the '93 sonic-boom of the Wu-Tang Clan). At the time, 1995's Liquid Swords was well on its way to eventual platinum status, while 1999's Beneath The Surface was his second consecutive Top 10 release, grabbing... Read more

June 15, 2017 Do Remember

“The Breaks” Is Returning For Another Season And Moving To A New Channel

This month, The Breaks aired its first season as an episodic show. Set at the top of the 1990s, the series follows the lives and movements of several young people trying to make it in the music industry. From DJ/producers, aspiring record execs, to radio, the show created by author... Read more

April 28, 2017 TV/Film

T.I. Says “We Have To Hold Ourselves Accountable For Our Communities” (Video)

In September 2016. T.I. released the most powerful music video of his career in the form of "Warzone," a visceral depiction of America's ugly police violence problem. However, the video turned the tables and envisioned our problem from a provocative angle: what if the killer cop was Black and the unarmed... Read more

April 25, 2017 Lifestyle

A New Documentary Series Will Show The Rise & Fall Of Death Row Records

There are few storylines, whether fact or fiction, filled with more drama, violence, or ups and downs than the tale of Death Row Records. Founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre and Suge Knight, with help from SOLAR Records' Dick Griffey, The D.O.C. and incarcerated silent partner Michael "Harry O" Harris,... Read more

April 20, 2017 Video

Wood Harris Argues Why New Edition’s Story Is The Ultimate Musical Biopic (Video)

In 2017, actor Wood Harris is quite busy. Approaching 25 years since he starred alongside Tupac Shakur in Above The Rim, the highly accomplished actor is staying busy through The New Edition Story and The Breaks. Both films are music-based. In the first, Harris portrayed Brooke Payne, New Edition's longtime... Read more

March 29, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Bow Wow Shifts Into Mixtape Mode & Barks With Bite (Video)

Over the years, Bow Wow has had a number of facets to his career. Releasing his first album in 2000, as Lil Bow Wow, under the tutelage of Jermaine Dupri, the artist was only 13 when he became a household name. Within two years, he had added the title of... Read more

February 22, 2017 Video

Johnny Gill Reveals What Was True & False About The New Edition Story (Video)

Singer Johnny Gill joined New Edition in 1987, following the Boston band's firing of Bobby Brown. The Washington, D.C. native who had two solo albums and a collabo with Stacy Lattisaw out prior to 1988's Heartbreak was recently portrayed in The New Edition Story. Part of the group ever since... Read more

February 16, 2017 Video

This Oral History of ‘Rap City’ Follows The Show From The Basement To The Top Floor

For nearly 20 years, Rap City brought Hip-Hop in its various forms into the lives of millions, helping elevate the once-fledgling culture into the mainstream. Easily the longest-running Hip-Hop show in television history, it lived on BET from 1989 to 2008 and showcased music videos Rap fans couldn't see anywhere... Read more

February 7, 2017 Throwback, Throwback

Nas To Executive Produce “Street Dreams” Biographical Television Series

Approaching 21 years after he made his second album, It Was Written with top single "Street Dreams," these titles remain powerful statements in the life and career of Nas. After production and writing involvement in recent Netflix series The Get Down as well as film The Land (and its corresponding... Read more

February 1, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

Bell, Biv & DeVoe Reveal New Edition’s Fights Were Even Worse In Real Life (Video)

This week, the story of New Edition was told by way of a three-night film mini-series. The lives of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe, and Johnny Gill are forever bound together. Collectively, there are valleys and peaks, intersections and ejections, and tons of incredible music. The New... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Dave Chappelle, De La Soul & More Celebrate the Obamas With a “Block Party” at the White House (Video)

Earlier this year, Dave Chappelle's Block Party celebrated its tenth anniversary, a milestone which allowed fans to reflect back on the film and its place in Hip-Hop history. A similar history was just made on Saturday Night Live, where the most recent episode sported Chappelle as host and A Tribe... Read more

November 14, 2016 TV/Film

Big K.R.I.T. Details Being Moved To Tears For His BET Performance (Video)

Last week, Big K.R.I.T. seemingly delivered the musical performance of his career to date. During the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Mississippi MC/producer performed a remix to Kenneth Whalum's "Might Not Be OK" dressed as an officer of the law. In addition to the highly evocative lyrics, Krizzle's delivery... Read more

October 13, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Takes The Hip Hop Awards Stage In A Police Uniform & Uses Deadly Force (Video)

Last month, Big K.R.I.T. unleashed one of the most powerful verses of his career on a song that was not even his own. Joining artist Kenneth Whalum on a remix to his moving "Might Not Be OK," K.R.I.T. raps about the killings by police of unarmed Black civilians that have... Read more

October 4, 2016 Video

The New Edition Story Pulls No Punches. This Clip With BBD Throws Them.

To say that New Edition has a cinematic history is an understatement. The Boston, Massachusetts group has had a few high profile personnel shifts, reunions, and plenty of hits in its several carnations. Starting in the late 1970s, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivens, and Ricky Bell formed a singing group on... Read more

September 27, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Snoop Dogg Is Finally Being Recognized For The Hip-Hop Legend He Is

In April of 1992, Snoop Dogg burst onto the Rap scene thanks to the title single from the Deep Cover soundtrack. The Long Beach, California MC with the smooth flow, seemingly effortless delivery, and calm demeanor in tight circumstances became an instant sensation. After playing a crucial role on Dr. Dre's... Read more

September 14, 2016 News

Ed Gordon Recalls Building Closeness With Tupac After Questioning His “Thug” Life (Video)

Tomorrow (September 13), veteran broadcast journalist Ed Gordon will launch his new, self-titled series for Bounce TV. Throughout the last 30 years, the Detroit, Michigan native has been a pillar of news and information, as a longtime host and correspondent on BET, plus contributor to "60 Minutes," "Today," and other... Read more

September 12, 2016 Video

Swizz Beatz Reveals DMX Did Not Want To Do “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” (Video)

"Stop. Drop. Shut 'em down, open up shop." As Heads know, those words open "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," one of the biggest Hip-Hop anthems of all-time. However, the song almost didn't happen. As part of the new BET series Inside The Label, Swizz Beatz detailed the making of the song for... Read more

July 13, 2016 Throwback

New Edition’s Story Is The Subject Of New TV Miniseries

The same week that N.W.A.'s biopic, Straight Outta Compton hits theaters (August 14), another game-changing 1980s act is confirmed to be the inspiration of another dramatic retelling. New Edition, the Boston, Massachusetts-based group of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and later Johnny Gill will be... Read more

August 10, 2015 News

Kendrick Lamar & Nicki Minaj Continue to Dominate the BET Awards

Last night's (June 28) BET Awards were equal parts nostalgic and forward-leaning. A Bad Boy Records reunion featuring Lil' Kim, Diddy, Ma$e, and The LOX as well as appearances from Janet Jackson and Smokey Robinson sparked reflection around the web, with viewers expressing delight at seeing some of their favorite... Read more

June 29, 2015 News

Happy Birthday Tupac. Watch One of His Earliest TV Interviews (Video)

Happy birthday to Tupac, who would have been 44 years old today. To celebrate his life, here's a look back at one of his earliest TV interviews. Shortly after the release of his film Juice, Pac paid a visit to the set of BET's Video LP. He discusses his complexity... Read more

June 16, 2015 Throwback

The Very First Time Jay Z Performed On TV, They Didn’t Even Say His Name (Video)

Before 1990, Jay Z was not on too many radars. The guest on The Jaz' "Hawaiian Sophie" was in the place that a lot of hopeful artists can relate to. He had a moment in the sun (of a whimsical EMI Records single of his then-rhyme mentor), and was trying... Read more

February 18, 2015 Throwback

Dee-1 Makes Thoughtful Bounce Music, Evident In This Backroom Freestyle (Video)

New Orleans, Louisiana MC Dee-1 has the respect and support of some of the Bayou City's masters of Bounce. Mannie Fresh and Juvenile both clamored to work with the RCA Records-backed artist. In his recent appearance in "106 & Park's" The Backroom, Dee delivers lyrics with substance and flare at... Read more

December 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

Sha Stimuli Works His Magic In The 106 & Park Backroom (Video)

Brooklyn, New York veteran Sha Stimuli made one of the biggest stops of his career at The Backroom in BET's "106 & Park." Lord Digga's brother, a onetime Jermaine Dupri protege at Virgin/EMI Records uses a fragmented style, hitting various themes (candy bars, '80s television, networks) to discuss the sugar-coated... Read more

October 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Digital Stars Of 2014 Show Out In This BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher (Video)

The first of many 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers has hit the web. Curated as a "Digital All-Star" grouping, this includes the Top 15-selling Andy Mineo, veteran Emilio Rojas, Common-cosigned Dreezy, De La Soul-cosigned Dillon Cooper, Retro Jace, and Conceited. With the exception of Mineo, who rang bells last year... Read more

September 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Takeover the Backroom for a True School Verse (Video)

Ras Kass and Apollo Brown took over The Backroom on 106 & Park to deliver some True School Hip-Hop. Ras dropped a vintage verse while Apollo manned the wheels of steel with an original track. Check out the video. Related: Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Slice Down That Humble Pi... Read more

September 19, 2014 Video

The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Nominees Announced

The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards will air Tuesday, October 14 at 8pm EST. Leading up to the annual affair, the network has announced its categories and nominees. Hip-Hop elite, including Drake (leading all nominees), Kanye West, Eminem, and Jay Z are prominently nominated, while stars of the last year including... Read more

September 4, 2014 Fresh

Remy Ma Reveals Her Post-Prison Plans, Confirms Record With Jadakiss (Video)

Yesterday (August 11), Remy Ma made her first televised appearance since being released from prison earlier this month. The artist formerly known as Remy Martin sat on the "106 & Park" stage opposite one of her loyal supporters in Shad Moss (fka Bow Wow). The former Terror Squad member who... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video