Hip-Hop Hotlanta

The South ruled Black Entertainment Television’s Hip-Hop Awards nominations October 12th in Atlanta, and the city’s own T.I. led the pack with eight nods, including CD of the year for his album The King.

Busta Rhymes and Chamillionaire were up next, with six and five nominations respectively, and Yung Joc and Lupe Fiasco each received four. Other nominees included Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, Common, Rick Ross, and Nelly.

Stephen Hill, executive vice president of BET’s entertainment, music programming and talent, explained the aim of the network’s inaugural hip-hop awards ceremony.

“This show is very much about where hip-hop culture is right now, but we will honor the original four elements of hip-hop and show their connection to today’s beats, rhymes and life,” Hill said in a statement.

Those elements – DJing, MCing, breakdancing and graffiti art – will be honored in the producer, lyricist, director and hip-hop dance of the year categories. The ceremony will also honor an artist that played a founding role in the genre – Grandmaster Flash – with the “I Am Hip-Hop” Icon award.

Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, and T.I. are set to play the show, with other performers to be announced.

The ceremony will take place at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on November 12th and air on the BET cable network November 15th.