Since Drake’s “Best New Hip Hop Artist” winning moment at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Canadian rap star has gone on to prove that his winning streak had only just begun. In the years that followed, the emcee’s contribution to rap has garnered fans several classic albums, including Thank Me Later, Nothing Was the Same, and his 2013 release Take Care which earned him the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 55th annual event. Drake has dabbled in different genres of music, including Dancehall and Afrobeat, racking up dozens of awards and recognitions in the process.  His latest release, Honestly, Nevermind, finds him experimenting with Dance, a testament to his ability never to be afraid to take risks to evolve his music.

RELATED: Hip Hop Awards 2022: 5 Rising Hip Hop Artists to Listen Out For

Nicki Minaj found breakthrough success with the release of her debut album, Pink Friday, snagging several recognitions and accolades, including the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards win for “Best New Hip Hop Artist.”

Since then, she’s become a big deal—a musical icon, we’d like to say, with the industry’s most significant and brightest acts all looking to earn a guest verse. Nicki has sold millions and made some too. Super Freak, her latest release and the first lead single from her upcoming fifth album, the name and release date of which is yet to be announced, broke several records following its debut on August 11.

The raptress became the first female rapper to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 this century, an accolade last achieved by Lauryn Hill in 1998 with her hit debut single Doo Wop (That Thing). Not bad for a little girl from Queens, New York.

2 Chainz is one of those emcees whose longevity in the music industry is truly underrated. After an impressive run as Tity Boy,  1/2 of the Southern hip hop duo Playaz Circle alongside his longtime friend and fellow rapper Earl "Dolla Boy" Conyers, the emcee ventured off for a solo career as 2 Chainz.

The rapper released several projects, including his 2017 release Pretty Girls Like Trap Music which featured three singles: "Good Drank,” "It's a Vibe,” and "4 AM.” He’s made several television appearances, including the reality game show Celebrity Family Feud.

In 2020 social media celebrated 2 Chainz’s musical career with a Verzuz battle against Miami rapper Rick Ross.

From appearing on Love and Hip Hop to becoming one of today’s most prominent selling artists, Cardi B.’s rise in the entertainment industry has been meteoric. At the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Bronx raptress accepted the awards for “Best New Hip Hop Artist.” The star quality was evident then, but nothing could’ve prepared fans for what was to come from this journey.

Cardi’s achievements include being the only woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album as a solo artist. Her debut album  Invasion of Privacy, released in the Spring of 2018, marked the first time a female rap album in 15 years had been nominated for Album of the Year.

The rapper would further rattle the game with the release of the much-talked-about women empowerment and sex-positive anthem “WAP,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion. A fashion influencer, seasoned musician,  and mother of two, Cardi B. has done a lot in a short span; it’s interesting to see what else she has cooked up for fans.

Although rapper Yung Bleu only recently earned his bragging rights of being the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards “Best New Hip Hop Artist” winner, he’s kept busy. He released his debut album Moon Boy which featured three singles, including “Thieves in Atlanta” featuring fellow rising star Coi Leray, "Baddest" with guest appearances by Chris Brown and 2 Chainz, and "Way More Close (Stuck in a Box)" with Detroit native Big Sean.

Since receiving co-sign from Drake, who hopped on the remix of Bleu’s 2020 breakout single “You’re Mines Still,” the Alabama native has gone on to work with the likes of Kehlani, Gunna, Kodak Black, H.E.R., and many more.

Watch the Hip Hop Awards on  Tuesday, October 4, at 9 PM ET/PT on BET