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Kendrick Lamar Rules BET Hip-Hop Awards Show Drake Didn’t Even Have to Attend

BET Hip-Hop Awards 2013, Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar was the big winner at the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards. And deservingly so. But it’s a reign that bears keeping in perspective.

The Compton, California-based rapper won five awards at the ceremony, which was taped in Atlanta in September and finally aired on October 15. He edged out Drake, who picked up four trophies. The good kid, m.A.A.d city mastermind also stole the show with a Drizzy-shading cypher that stoked the hip-hop flame war he set off with his recent guest verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” And he performed two songs with TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) label mates ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock.

But if any feud between K.dot and the Nothing Was the Same smoothie feels a bit overblown, it’s with good reason. Drake didn’t even show up for the BET Hip-Hop Awards, effectively conceding Lamar dominion over this show. And, anyway, it’s the second annual BET awards show in the past few months. Remember the 2013 BET Awards, which aired in June and saw Drake tying with Lamar at three trophies apiece? On a night dominated by performances from Charlie Wilson, Miguel, Janelle Monáe, Erykah Badu, R. Kelly, Nicki Minaj, Ciara, Schoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Robin Thicke, Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, and more?

Lamar may have upstaged the competition at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, but he was far from the only notable performer. Watch Lamar and TDE’s cypher above, and below watch the cyphers from A$AP Mob (A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg) and Action Bronson with Lil Kim and Travi$ Scott. Plus, performances from Lamar and TDE, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, Future, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, French Montana, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

A$AP Mob cypher

Action Bronson and Lil Kim cypher

Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Jay Rock – “Collard Greens,” “Money Trees”

Meek Mill – “Dreams & Nightmares Intro,” “Levels”

2 Chainz, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile – “Fork,” “Go DJ,” “Used 2,” and “Back That Azz Up”

Future, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross – “Honest,” “I Wanna Be With You,” “No Games”

French Montana, Diddy, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg – “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’ (Remix)”

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – “Thuggish Ruggish Bone,” “1st Of Tha Month,” “Crossroads” Medley