T.I. will have a chance to show why he calls himself “The King.”
The Atlanta-based rapper received eight nominations for the BET Hip-Hop Awards, which will air nationally on the cable channel on Nov. 15. Busta Rhymes drew the second-most nominations, six; Chamillionaire got five, while Yung Joc and Lupe Fiasco got four apiece.
Stephen Hill, executive vice president of entertainment, music and talent at BET, expressed enthusiasm for the decision to hold the event in Atlanta.
“Hip-hop is huge here,” Hill said Thursday when the nominees were announced. “This city has an energy that you can touch. This is the home plate for southern hip-hop and music in general.”
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Jermaine Dupri, who teamed up with Ludacris on the 2001 hit “Welcome to Atlanta,” wanted the song to become an anthem for Atlanta, hoping to bring more recognition to the city.
“It worked,” Dupri said. “It was my thought to let people know about my city. From having a tough time getting on the radio to BET hosting an awards show here is very important.”
Along with Dupri and Ludacris, others nominees include Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, Common, Rick Ross and Nelly. The show will be hosted by comedian Katt Williams.