Diddy Gets Crowned King, Kendrick Wows with Cypher at BET Hip Hop Awards

BET celebrated hip-hop’s past and present superstars at Saturday’s taping of the BET Hip Hop Awards 2013 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Civic Center in Atlanta. Snoop Dogg aka Uncle Snoop presided over the eighth annual event, which featured performances from Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, French Montana, Meek Mill, and ScHoolBoy Q.

Following a video tribute from Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Queen Latifah, Eve presented hip-hop icon MC Lyte with the “I Am Hip-Hop Award.”

During his performance of “Ain’t Worried About Nothin,” French Montana placed a crown on Diddy’s head in response to Kendrick’s “King of New York” line on his “Control” verse. The camera cut to the Compton MC, who smiled and applauded.

Kendrick earned cheers from his peers during TDE’s captivating four-minute cypher, while other cypher stars included Slaughterhouse, A$AP Rocky, Lil’ Kim, Nick Cannon, Kevin Hart, and Action Bronson.

Juvenile and Mannie Fresh joined 2 Chainz for his Hot Boys ode “Used 2,” Rick Ross performed his new single “No Games” with Future, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony took it back with a medley of hits.

An absent Drake won the People’s Champ award, A$AP Rocky took home the Perfect Combo award, and A$AP Ferg was named Rookie of the Year.

The BET Hip Hop Awards 2013 airs on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.

See 30 photos from the green carpet and show below.