Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later, came out in 2010, and what a moment it was. With songs like “Best I Ever Had,” “Thank Me Now,” and “Find Your Love,” it was apparent that Lil Wayne gave this guy a cosign for a reason. He took home the award for Rookie of the Year and never looked back. Soon, it became apparent that Drake was one of rap’s driving forces and would reinvent the genre into an emotional space for artists to explore their feelings and move away from sheer, 24-7 braggadocio. Hundreds of millions of records sold later, five albums so far that have gone at least platinum, and a whole other class of artists cosigned and inspired by him. It’s safe to say that he’s lived up to his moment.

It’s hard to believe, but at one point, Nicki Minaj was the new girl on the block in 2010. Fast forward ten years, and she’s one of the biggest women in rap with more than 100 million records sold and often being cited as one of rap’s most influential women. She’s been named on Time’s list of 100 most influential people and has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards. There haven’t been many other artists to do what Nicki’s done.

Before 2 Chainz was the man with two necklaces, he was known as Tity Boi — one half of the group Playaz Circle which was known largely for their 2007 Lil Wayne-collaboration, “Duffle Bag Boy.” But after going dark for a while and reemerging four years later as 2 Chainz, he was in a unique position of being a rookie for the second time. And boy did he prove that he had what it takes. As 2 Chainz, he’s captivated the world with his charismatic and intense rhymes that are so over-the-top that fans laugh just as hard as they vibe to the extent of what he’s saying. There’s no question that he’s the epitome of a "Rookie of the Year" that has shown legendary potential.

In 2016, Chance The Rapper was rap’s "Rookie of the Year" and in the time since, he’s become a prominent cultural figure who’s released an epic debut album, The Big Day, that makes good on the concept of marriage. It’s still early in his career, but you can see the extent of his early promise delivered in the achievements he’s reached so far — The Big Day debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, and he’s won a Grammy. And the best part is that it’s still early in his career, and there’s no telling where he’ll end up.

Cardi B is the legend, the icon, the record-breaker — and she’s only three years removed from being the "Rookie of the Year." What she’s been able to accomplish so early in her career, such as smashing Billboard records left and right and establishing herself as a driving political force for voting as it relates to young people, is nothing short of spectacular. As she prepares for a sophomore album sometime in the near future, it’s not hard to imagine her, down the line, receiving her "I Am Hip Hop Award" thanks to the extent of the magic that she’s been able to accomplish so far.  

The 2020 Hip Hop Awards will air on BET October 21 at 8/9c