This year’s ‘Non-stop Hip Hop Party’ is heating up as BET announces the recipients of “The Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award,” “I Am Hip Hop Award” and “Global Visionary Award” for “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2023. The annual award show premieres Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, hosted by GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, and media personality Fat Joe, the annual award show premieres Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

First up, global entertainment icon LL COOL J, founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, will present the “Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award” to superstar producers and entrepreneurs Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, honoring their impressive cultural contributions, talents, and unbound creativity, that has cemented them as two of the most innovative forces in music and popular culture.

LL COOL J and Rakim will also be on hand to perform a special tribute to this year’s “I Am Hip Hop Award” honoree, Marley Marl. Known as one of Hip Hop’s first super producers, Marley Marl is recognized for trailblazing the world of sampling as house producer of the iconic Juice Crew which includes rappers Big Daddy Kane, the late Biz Markie, Roxanne Shanté, Kool G Rap, MC Shan, and Masta Ace. Marley Marl is credited with influencing several Hip Hop icons such as The Notorious B.I.G., RZA, DJ Premier, Pete Rock and more.

This year, Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes will be honored with the “Global Visionary Award” posthumously, for his profound impact on the global Hip-Hop landscape. Family members Lynn and Tony Forbes will accept the award on his behalf, during a tribute segment for the International airings of the “BET  Hip Hop Awards” 2023.

Previously announced performers set to take the stage include DaBaby, Fivio Foreign, GloRilla, and Sexyy Red, along with a deejay and producer tribute featuring Kid Capri, Kool DJ Red Alert, Scott Storch, Spinderella, with more names to be announced. “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2023 will also honor the 30th anniversary of legendary record label So So Def with an all-star roster of Hip Hop icons taking the stage, including GRAMMY®-Award-winning producer, songwriter, Hip Hop artist, author, and DJ, Jermaine Dupri, as well as Bone Crusher, Bow Wow, Da Brat, Dem Franchize Boyz, Ludacris and more.

Super producers and “Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award” recipients Swizz Beatz  and Timbaland will present this year’s cypher in a Hip Hop celebration deejayed by DJ E Feezy and DJ Runna, with lyricists Bun B, Cassidy, Foggieraw, Gloss Up, Lady London, Lola Brooke, Scar Lip, and Symba battling head-to-head. The digital cypher will feature DJ Hed, LaNell Grant, Maiya The Don, and That Mexican OT.

Nominees include 21 Savage and Cardi B, leading this year with an outstanding 12 nods each, followed by Drake with nine nods, as Burna Boy and DJ Khaled round out the top five with an impressive seven nods each. J. Cole scored six nods. Coi Leray, GloRilla, and Jay-Z are tied at five nods each. Other notable nominations include Lil Uzi Vert with four nominations; rounding out the tally are DaBaby, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion, and Metro Boomin, scoring three nominations each.