Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards, taking home eight of the top honors without even being present. Lamar’s notable wins included Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, and Video Director of the Year, the latter shared with his pgLang co-captain, Dave Free. His diss track “Not Like Us,” aimed at Drake, also garnered major awards, such as Song of the Year, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Impact Track. Additionally, Kendrick’s collaboration on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” earned him Best Collaboration and Best Featured Verse.
The star-studded event was held at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub in Las Vegas for the first time and hosted by Fat Joe. Big names like 2 Chainz, Soulja Boy, and Lola Brooke walked the red carpet, adding to the night’s glamour. Though Kendrick swept the awards, Nicki Minaj also made waves by winning Hip-Hop Album of the Year for Pink Friday 2, while newcomer Sexyy Red took home the Breakthrough Artist Award.
In addition to the musical accolades, there was a political moment during the event when Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for an interview with Fat Joe and Too Short. Harris made headlines by criticizing Donald Trump over Project 2025, an agenda by Trump’s political allies that has stirred controversy ahead of the election.
Overall, the night was a celebration of both music and culture, with star rappers showcasing their signature style on the red carpet, even if they didn’t take home trophies. Kendrick’s sweep was the clear highlight, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in the world of hip-hop.
