T.I., Jay-Z Tops in Hip-Hop

Mon., Nov. 13, 2006 12:29 PM PST by Gina Serpe

King was crowned Sunday night.

Atlanta-based rapper T.I. took home a leading three trophies at the inaugural BET Hip-Hop Awards in his hometown over the weekend, in a ceremony that also saw hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z, Chamillionaire and Grandmaster Flash emerge as big winners.

The initialed singer walked away with CD of the Year for King, MVP of the Year and Video of the Year for "What You Know," beating out formidable opponents, including Busta Rhymes and Common, in the latter win.

While T.I. was able to accept his awards without interruption—it was a Kanye West-free evening, after all—it didn't stop him from issuing a preemptive warning to would-be haters.

"You can hate if you want, but you're wasting your time," he said. "You can't hate on hard work and talent. This awards show will show people a lot about where I come from."

T.I., who also performed a remix of his hit "Top Back" during the show, was clearly the night's big winner, but not the only one who took home multiple awards. Rapper Chamillionaire scored Rookie of the Year and the fan-determined People's Champ award.

Jay-Z, too, was there to pick up his seemingly requisite awards show honor, being named esteemed Hip-Hop Hustler of the Year. Beyoncé's better half beat out the likes of Diddy, T.I., Ludacris and Nelly for the award and pulled a reverse Kanye in his acceptance speech, objecting to his own win.

"Luda is supposed to win this one," he said from the podium, jokingly adding that he and his fellow rapper would fix the outcome next year.

Ludacris later took to the stage with rapper Young Jeezy, putting to rest rumors of a burgeoning beef between the two artists.

Veteran spinner Grandmaster Flash became the inaugural winner of the I Am Hip-Hop Award, the show's lifetime achievement equivalent for industry icons.

"To get an award for my technological ability means a whole lot more than anything else I've accomplished in my life," the deejay said.

The show also took a brief time out, courtesy of Diddy, to honor R&B singer Gerald Levert, who passed away Friday from a heart attack, and veteran CBS News correspondent Ed Bradley, who passed away Thursday from leukemia.

"Let's celebrate their lives," Diddy said. "People will forever miss y'all."

Other big names to nab awards Sunday night were Common, named Lyricist of the Year, and Busta Rhymes, who took home the nod for Best Live Performer.

The Game and Snoop Dogg also performed during the ceremony, which kicked off with a star-studded rendition of "Welcome to Atlanta," featuring Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Young Jeezy.

The ceremony was emceed by comedian Katt Williams and airs Wednesday on BET.