The 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards did not come to play. Like most of BET Awards, the show featured dynamic performances and spotlighted rising talent in hip-hop. The 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards took place in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Fat Joe hosted it for the second year in a row.

“Overall, it’s a dream come true for me,” Joe told PEOPLE. “It’s the second year I’m doing the Hip-Hop awards, but I always think back to being in junior high and doing the talent shows and then Apollo Theater Amateur Night, and it all leads to this. And so it’s an honor for me.”

2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards: Best Red Carpet Looks

One of the major highlights during the show was the tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop where rap icons took the stage and performed their greatest hits. Hip-Hop pioneers were also honored as there was a tribute Marley Marl, and Swizz Beatz and Timberland accepted the Rock The Bells Cultural Impact Award.

In addition to legendary rappers and producers performing, rising rappers also had a chance to shine. DaBaby and Sexxy Red opened the award show and the cyphers hosted by the Cultural Impact recipients spotlighted rising talent such as Scar Lip, Lady London, Foggieraw, and more.

Prior to the show, Fat Joe commented on how he embraces the new generation of hip-hop.

“Whether I like the music or I don’t, I always encourage the youth to do better, to keep rocking, to uplift the hip-hop community, to hire more people, take care of their kids,” he told CNN. “That’s what I’m about. I don’t really throw shade on the youth.”

As for nominations, Cardi B and 21 Savage had the most nominations with 12 each. However, Kendrick Lamar was the one who made history last night. The rapper is the first artist to win hip hop Artist of the Year three times in a row.

Take a look at all of the performances from last night below ranked:

• 9. Sexxy Red Performs "Shake Yo Dreads," "SkeeYee," and "Pound Town"

  2023 has been Sexxy Red’s breakout year. Her hits have brought her to the BET Hip-Hop Awards stage where she performed “Shake Yo Dreads,” “SkeeYee,” and “Pound Town.” This is the first time the rising rapper has performed live at an awards show and she kept the audience entertained with her most popular tracks. Check out her performance above.

• 8. DaBaby, Sexyy Red, Juvenile, & Mannie Fresh Perform ‘Project Chick’ & More Hits

  GloRilla took the stage to perform one of her latest songs, “Cha Cha Cha” featuring Fivio Foreign. The two rappers matched one another’s energy and gave the audience a song they could easily dance to. This was the first time the two have performed the track on stage together. Take a look at their performance above.

• 7. Swizz Beatz Holds Cypher With Foggieraw, Symba, Cassidy & Scar Lip

  Swizz Beatz was coming for the cypher title with a host of rising talent. The producer tapped in Foggieraw, Symba, Cassidy, and Scar Lip as part of his entry for the title. Swizz Beatz was going up against Timberland, who performed with his picks later in the show. Take a look at the dynamic performance above.

• 6. GloRilla and Fivo Foreign Perform "Cha Cha Cha"

  GloRilla took the stage to perform one of her latest songs, “Cha Cha Cha” featuring Fivio Foreign. The two rappers matched one another’s energy and gave the audience a song they could easily dance to. This was the first time the two performed the track on stage together. Take a look at their performance above.

• 5. City Girls Perform "No Bars" and "Face Down"

  Prior to The City Girls taking the stage it was rumored that JT was leaving the group to work on her solo project (which turned out not to be true). JT began the performance with “No Bars” which is her latest solo single. However, the two debunked those rumors when Yung Miami came out on stage and performed “Face Down” with JT. Take a look at the performance above.

• 4. Timberland Brings Out Lola, Lady London, Gloss Up and Bun B For Cypher

  Timberland put his bid in for cypher with Lola Brooke, Lady London, Gloss Up, and Bun B. He went up against Swizz Beatz team which who consisted of Foggieraw, Symba, Cassidy and Scar Lip. Swizz Beatz gave Timberland a run for his money but ultimately Timberland’s beats with the rappers he chose took the cake. Take a look at the cypher above.

• 3. DJ Drama Brings Out Fabolous, T.I., Jeezy & Lil Jon To Perform 'Go Crazy' and More

  Trap music was able to shine on stage with the help of DJ Drama. He brought out T.I., Jeezy, and Lil Jon, to represent the impact of trap hits in hip-hop. Check out this performance above.

• 2. Rakim and LL Cool J Pay Tribute To Marley Marl With "Paid In Full" and "Around The Way Girl"

  The 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop was also honored at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. In doing so, a tribute to Marley Marl came into fruition by none other than Rakim and LL Cool J. The two performed “Paid In Full” and “Around The Way Girl.” Take a look at the performance above.

• 1. Jermaine Dupri Brings Out Ludacris, Chingy, Lil Jon and More To Perform So So Def Tribute

  So So Def celebrated their 30 years in the music industry at the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Jermaine Dupri, who founded the label in 1993, brought out Ludacris, Chingy, Lil Jon, Nelly, Bow Wow, Tyrese Gibson, and more for a 11 minute tribute. Dupri and guests had the best performance of the night as they were constantly feeding off of one another’s energy where everyone at home and in the audience could feel it. Take a look at the performance above.

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