2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominations

BET have released the nominations for their 2013 Hip Hop Awards. This year, Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with 14 nominations. Drake is next with 13 nominations, followed by J.Cole with 10. The show will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and will be taped on September 28th at the Civic Center in Atlanta. It will then air on October 15th.

Best Hip Hop Video
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
B.o.B f/ T.I. & Juicy J – “We Still in This”
J. Cole f/ Miguel – “Power Trip”
Drake – “Started From the Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Don’t Kill My Vibe”

Reese’s Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo, Duo or Group)
Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future – “Bugatti”
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
J. Cole f/ Miguel – “Power Trip”
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne – “Pop That”
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – “Poetic Justice”
Wale f/ Tiara Thomas – “Bad”

Best Live Performer2 Chainz
J. Cole
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Kanye West

Lyricist of the Year
J. Cole
Drake
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Wale

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & A$AP Ferg
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Funkmaster Flex
DJ Khaled
DJ Scream

Producer of the Year
J. Cole
Hit-Boy
DJ Mustard
Mike WiLL Made It
Pharrell Williams

MVP of the Year
2 Chainz
J. Cole
Drake
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar

Track of the Year
“Power Trip” – Produced by J. Cole (J. Cole f/ Miguel)
“Problems” – Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib (A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
“Don’t Kill My Vibe” – Produced by Sounwave (Kendrick Lamar)
“Bugatti” – Produced by Mike WiLL Made It (Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future)
“Started From The Bottom” – Produced by Mike Zombie & Noah “40″ Shebib (Drake)

Album of the Year
J. Cole – Born Sinner
JAY Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
Nas – Life Is Good
Wale – The Gifted

Who New? Rookie of the Year
Action Bronson
A$AP Ferg
Earl Sweatshirt
Joey Bada$$
Trinidad Jame$

Hustler of the Year
Diddy
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
Kanye West

Made-You-Look Award
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Nicki Minaj
Kanye West

Best Club Banger
Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future – “Bugatti” (Produced by Mike WiLL Made It)
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems” (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib)
Drake – “Started From The Bottom” (Produced by Mike Zombie & Noah “40″ Shebib)
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne – “Pop That” (Produced by Lee on the Beats)
Trinidad Jame$ – “All Gold Everything” (Produced by M.e. (Devon Gallaspy))

Best Mixtape
Big Sean – Detroit
Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap
Travi$ Scott – Owl Pharaoh
Stalley – Honest Cowboy
Trinidad Jame$ – Don’t Be S.A.F.E.

Sweet 16 (Best Featured Verse)
Diddy – “Same Damn Time (Remix)” (Future f/ Diddy & Ludacris)
Drake – “Versace (Remix)” (Migos f/ Drake)
Future – “Bugatti” (Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future)
Kendrick Lamar – “Problems” (A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
Wiz Khalifa – “U.O.E.N.O. (Remix)” (Rocko f/ Future & Wiz Khalifa)

Impact Track
J. Cole f/ TLC – “Crooked Smile”
JAY Z f/ Justin Timberlake – “Holy Grail”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Same Love”
Wale f/ Sam Dew – “LoveHate Thing”
Kanye West – “BLKKK SKKKNHEAD”

People’s Champ Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
J. Cole f/ Miguel – “Power Trip”
Drake – “Started From the Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Signs To Universal Music Group

The announcement was made this morning that Jay-Z would be taking his successful music label Roc Nation over to Universal Music. The deal allows Roc Nation to continue to operate as an independent label and the upcoming releases from all its artists, such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, J.Cole and more, will be released via Universal Music. Here is what Jay had to say about the deal:

“We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he’s assembled at Universal. We would like to applaud Lucian for collaborating with us to strike a new age deal. This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation’s artists-being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG. It feels good to be home.”

Drake To Release New Single On Grammy Night

Comeback Season officially begins again in two weeks on February 10th when Drake will releases his first official single on his upcoming third studio album immediately preceding the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2012 Drake, took a break from the solo scene after releasing his critically acclaimed album “Take Care” and focused on Club Paradise Tour with friends Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky being his opening acts.

The track’s title is unconfirmed by Universal Music Group at the current time but photos surfaced earlier this month with Drizzy on set with director Little X as the song has been rumored to be named “Started From The Bottom.” For now we’ll just have to wait and see the Toronto, YMCMB artist has in store next Sunday.