BET Awards 2022: 5 Times Hip Hop Represented in the ‘Best New Artist’ Category
Hip hop is one of the most influential genres in music and everyone wants a piece of the movement. During the BET Awards 2022, culture’s biggest night happening live on Sunday, June 26th at 8 pm ET and hosted by Taraji P. Henson, hip hop is sure to be in attendance with several guest appearances, performances, and of course awards. Ahead of this year’s ceremony check out five times hip hop represented in the “Best New Artist” category.
Nelly
Rapper Nelly took home the first-ever “Best New Artist” honors handed out at the BET Awards 2001 scoring the first point for hip hop. The “Must Be the Money” emcee beat out several neo-soul stars, including veterans Jill Scott, Musiq, India Arie, and rapper Bow Wow.
50 Cent
After a one-year hiatus, Queens, New York emcee Curtis 50 Cent Jackson returned to take the title of “Best New Artist” for the rap genre at the BET Awards 2003, coming ahead of Floetry, Heather Headley, Sean Paul, and Justin Timberlake.
Kanye West
The following year, Grammy Award-winning rapper and hip hop pioneer Kanye West took home the bragging rights as “Best New Artist” at the BET Awards 2004. Chingy, Anthony Hamilton, Ruben Studdard, and Pharrell Williams were also nominated.
Nicki Minaj
At the BET Awards 2010, Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper to win “Best New Artist '' and the first hip hop act to earn the title since Kanye in 2010.
Roddy Ricch
California-based rapper Roddy Ricch is the latest rap star to win “Best New Artist.” The “Live Life Fast” musician took the lead ahead of DaniLeigh, Lil Nas X, Summer Walker, YBN Cordae, and the late Pop Smoke.
Tune in to the BET Awards 2022 Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
