ATLANTA — Lil Wayne was named lyricist of the year and Russell Simmons was honored as a hip-hop icon at this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards, taped Saturday in Atlanta.
New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne, pictured at right, who was nominated for 12 awards, also was named MVP of the Year and the Alltel Wireless People’s Champ at the ceremony.
DJ Khaled, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross took home the award for Best Hip-Hop Collaboration for “I’m So Hood (The Remix).”
LL Cool J presented Simmons with the “I Am Hip- Hop” Icon award, given to an individual who has made notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip-hop community. Simmons was recognized as a philanthropic inspiration to other artists. The Associated Press
