Timbaland, Swizz Beatz Will Present This Year's BET Hip-hop Awards Cypher

The 50th year of hip-hop will be commemorated at the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards thanks to some amazing performances and the annual cypher.

On Thursday, BET announced the continuation of its “non-stop Hip hop Party,” which will be hosted by rapper Fat Joe on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9 pm. The show will celebrate the 30th anniversary of iconic record label So So Def with an all-star hip-hip lineup of producer Jermaine Dupri, Bone Crusher, Bow Wow, Da Brat, Dem Franchize Boyz, Luda, among many others, according to a press release.

Other performances will be by Offset, DaBaby, Fivio Foreign, GloRilla and Sexyy Red, as well as a deejay and producer tribute featuring Kid Capri, Kool DJ Red Alert, Scott Storch and Spinderella. More names will be announced.

As for the cypher, that will be presented by Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and it will be deejayed by DJ E Feez and DJ Runna. Lyricists on deck will be Bun B, Cassidy, Foggieraw, Gloss Up, Lady London, Lola Brooke, Scar Lip and Symba. The digital cypher will be performed by DJ Hed, LaNell Grant, Maiya The Don and That Mexican OT.

Additionally, the nominees will include 21 Savage and Cardi B, who are leading this year with a whopping 12 nods each, as well as Drake with nine and Burna Boy and DJ Khaled with seven. J. Cole racked up six, Coi Leray, GloRilla and Jay-Z are tied with five. Other nominations include Lil Uzi Vert with four and DaBaby, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion, and Metro Boomin with three nominations each.

“We are thrilled to welcome back a true hip-hop legend in Fat Joe as this year’s host! As we round out a banner year of celebrating hip-hop’s landmark half-century of influencing culture, he is the perfect emcee to lead us through what promises to be an iconic night,” Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, tells Billboard. “Throughout his career, he has continued to be a leader within the culture, bridging the gap between generations. We can’t wait to watch what he comes up with for this year’s show.”

“Hip-hop is my life, and I’m extremely proud to return as host of BET Hip Hop Awards 2023,” Fat Joe adds. “We’re going to make this year’s award show even bigger while also celebrating our hip-hop stars and pioneers in a spectacular way. It’s going to be a legendary night of music and entertainment, and you’re not going to want to miss it.”