1 / 44

Lil Wayne - To say that Weezy has made his imprint on this year’s award show would be an understatement. The rap superstar racked up an astonishing 18 nominations through a relentless output of chart-topping jams.Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“Look At Me Now,” “I’m On One”), Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Look At Me Now,” “Hustle Hard (Remix”),” “I’m On One”), Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year, Track of the Year (“6 Foot 7 Foot,” “Look At Me Now,” “I’m On One”), Made-You-Look Award [Best Hip Hop Style], Best Club Banger (“I’m On One,” “6 Foot 7 Foot,”), Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse (“Motivation”), Hustler of the Year, Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewers’ Choice] (“Look At Me Now,” “6 Foot 7 Foot”)(Photo by Anthony Harvey/PictureGroup)

2 / 44

Wiz Khalifa - Nine nominations is a strong showing for the relative newcomer who is well on his way to super stardom. Wiz sat comfortably at the top of the charts with is No. 1 hit “Black and Yellow,” and collected a gold plaque for his stellar debut Rolling Papers.Nominations: MVP of the Year, Track of the Year (“Black and Yellow”), CD of the Year (Rolling Papers), Rookie of the Year, Made-You-Look Award, Best Club Banger, Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse (“Bright Lights, Bigger City” “Till I’m Gone”), Verizon People’s Champ Award (“Black and Yellow”)(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

3 / 44

Big Sean - Fame has been good to the Detroit MC. Sean’s debut, Finally Famous, is up for CD of the Year and his smash single “My Last” is a fan favorite.Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“My Last”), Track of the Year (“My Last”), CD of the Year (Finally Famous), Rookie of the Year

4 / 44

Chris Brown - Yeah, crafting R&B hits is his money maker, but the sometimes rapper Chris Brown made good on some high profile rap collaborations helping him to a respected six nods.Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“Look At Me Now,” “My Last”), Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Look At Me Now”), Track of the Year (“Look At Me Now,” “My Last”), Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewers’ Choice] (“Look At Me Now”)

5 / 44

Busta Rhymes\r - The hip hop energy god touched a new generation of fans with a scene stealing verse on Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now.”\rNominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“Look At Me Now”), Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Look At Me Now”), Track of the Year (“Look At Me Now,”), Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse (“Look At Me Now”), Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewers’ Choice] (“Look At Me Now”)\r \r(Photo: Walik Goshorn)

6 / 44

Eminem - Slim Shady and Rihanna joined forces to create one the year’s hottest video.Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“Love The Way You Lie”)         (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images

7 / 44

Kanye West - The Chicago rap great gave hip hop fans a lot to pay attention to whether it be through his genre-bending hits, fashion looks, or avant-garde videos.Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“All of the Lights”), Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year, Video Director, Producer of the Year, MVP of the Year, CD of the Year (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy), Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip Hop Style), Hustler of the Year, Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewers’ Choice] (“All of the Lights”)  (Photo by Adrienne Battistella/PictureGroup)

8 / 44

Ace Hood\r - Ace Hood\rHard work paid off for the Miami spitta as he nabbed two nominations for his ubiquitous jam, “Hustle Hard.”\rNominations: Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Hustle Hard (Remix”), Best Club Banger (“Hustle Hard”)

9 / 44

Rihanna\r -  \rWhen the top rap acts are looking to take their songs to the next level with an impressive hook, they usually win with the pop diva.\rNominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“Love The Way You Lie,” “All of the Lights”)\r \r(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Photo By Ian Gavan/Getty Images

10 / 44

Rick Ross - Continuing on the success of his third album Teflon Don the Bawse went on to keep his name ringing in the streets via superstar collaborations ("I'm On One, "Hustle Hard Remix") with the biggest names in rap. Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“I’m On One”), Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“I’m On One,” “Hustle Hard (Remix”), Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year, Track of the Year (“I’m On One”), Best Club Banger (“I’m On One”), Hustler of the Year, (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

11 / 44

Big K.R.I.T. - It's been a great year for up-and-coming Mississippi-bred rapper Big K.R.I.T. The success of his Return of 4Eva mixtape led Def Jam to agree to back his 2011 release R4 The Prequel. Supported by the single "Country Shit (Remix)" featuring Ludacris and Bun B.Nominations: Reese's Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] "Country Sh*t"), Rookie of the Years, Best Mixtape (Return of 4 Eva)(Photo: David Blake Hutchinson)

12 / 44

Ludacris - As this Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor wraps up his 13th year in the game, his latest album, Battle of the Sexes whiched spawned the hits "How Low" and "My Chick Bad" featuring Nicki Minaj continues to prove why the lighthearted MC remains one of the most respected rappers around. Nominations: Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Country Sh*t”)(Photo: Johnny Louis/WENN.com)

13 / 44

Bun B - As one half of southern hip-hop group UGK, Bun B has repped Houston, Texas to the fullest in honor of fallen group member Pimp C. In between classes at Rice University where he teaches as a Distinguished Lecturer in the Humanities Department, B stayed busy in the studio, releasing his highly acclaimed third solo album Trill OG last summer. Nominations: Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Country Sh*t”)(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Heineken)

14 / 44

DJ Khaled - Khaled doesn't have to say much to be the best. The Miami DJ simply enlists his all-star friends to contribute to super collaborative tracks.Nominations: Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“I’m On One”), Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“I’m On One,”), Track of the Year (“I’m On One”), DJ of the Year,  Best Club Banger (“I’m On One”)(Photo: Walik Goshorn)

15 / 44

Drake\r - Drizzy Drake introduced himself to the world with So Far Gone mixtape and has since be a go to hitmaker.\rNominations: Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video (“I’m On One”), Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“I’m On One,”), Track of the Year (“I’m On One”), Best Club Banger (“I’m On One”) Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewer’s Choice] (“Moment For Life”)\r\r \r\r(Photo:  Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)

16 / 44

Lupe - Much agitation and grassroots organization on the part of Lupe's fan base got his third studio album off the shelves of his record label and into the stores this past year. The oft-delayed Lasers finally saw the light of day and reached No. 1 on the charts when it did.Nominations: Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Out of My Head”), CD of the Year (Lasers)(Photo: Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

17 / 44

Trey Songz - Poised to take a spot amongst the great R&B legends, Trey Songz has been a reliable hand for rappers in need of some R&B flavor on their records.Nominations: Reese’s Perfect Combo Award [Best Collab] (“Out of My Head”), (Photo: Skip Bolen/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

18 / 44

Cee Lo Green - Rapper, singer, it doesn't really matter what you're calling him these days as long as you're acknowledging that he's a hitmaker. His chart-topping, kiss-off song "Forget You" found it's way on an episode of "Glee" last season and became so popular that it secured him a spot performing it at the Grammy's. Nomination: Best Live Performer(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

19 / 44

Jay-Z - Hov continues to prove why he wears the crown with innovative, classic albums like Watch the Throne, his most recent joint effort with Kanye West. Nominations: Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year, Made-You-Look award (Best Hip Hop Style), Hustler of the Year,(Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup) 

20 / 44

Nicki Minaj - More than just a pretty face, Nicki Minaj walked away last year with three BET Hip Hop Awards including Rookie of the Year, now she returns as the top Female MC in the game. Nominations: Lyricist of the Year, Made-You-Look award (Best Hip Hop Style), MVP of the Year, CD of the Year, Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewer’s Choice] (“Moment For Life”), Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse (“Monster”)(Photo: Radcliffe Roye/www.royephotography.com)

21 / 44

Frank Ocean - When he isn't in the studio working with the likes of Jay-Z and Kanye West, New Orleans born singer-songwriter Frank Ocean is likely working on the follow-up to his break through mixtape Nostalgia: Ultra which featured the hit singles "Novacane" and "Swim Good."Nominations: Rookie of the Year, Best Mixtape (Nostalgia, Ultra)(Photo: Courtesy Island Def Jam)

22 / 44

Diggy Simmons - Diggy Simmons, son of Run DMC group member Rev Run, may be a descendent of hip hop royalty but he isn't resting on his laurels. The 16 year-old spitter has gained notoriety by promoting his lyricism skills on his own via the Internet.Nomination: Rookie of the Year(Photo: Terrence Jennings/PictureGroup)

23 / 44

Tyler, the Creator - One of the most hyped underground artists of the year, Tyler, the Creator and his west coast alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future terrorized every city in America this year with their reckless, high energy shows. In between show dates and interviews Tyler found the time to drop his much-hyped solo debut Goblin which featured "Yonkers."Nomination: Rookie of the Year(Photo: Matthew Reamer / Retna Ltd.)

24 / 44

Corey Gunz - Son of rapper Peter Gunz, one of Young Money's more recent signees, Corey Gunz is perhaps best known nationally for his feature at the end of Lil Wayne's "6 Foot 7 Foot." However, the Bronx native has been heavy in the streets for a while now, releasing eight mixtapes to date. Nominations: Track of the Year (“6 Foot 7 Foot,”) Best Club Banger (“6 Foot 7 Foot,”), Verizon People’s Champ Award [Viewers’ Choice] (“6 Foot 7 Foot”)(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Reality Rocks)

Photo By Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Reality Rocks

25 / 44

Waka Flocka Flame - Waka Flocka has so many hits and club anthems including the epic "O Let's Do it," "Hard in the Paint," and "No Hands" featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale, the southern rapper's impressive resume has made him one of the most exciting new artists. Nomination: Best Club Banger ("No Hands")(Photos: Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup)

Photo By Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup

26 / 44

Y.C. - Best known for his hit single, "Racks," Universal Republic signee Y.C. performed at last years' BET Hip Hop Awards as a relative unknown but returns as this year's rising star. Nomination: Best Club Banger ("Racks")(Photo: Courtesy Universal Republic Records)

27 / 44

B.o.B - Atlanta rapper B.o.B (alias Bobby Ray) hit the ground running with his two No. 1 singles "Nothing on You" featuring Bruno Mars and "Airplanes" featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, off his debut album B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, but he also put in work on the mixtape grind.Nomination: Best Mixtape (No Genre)(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

28 / 44

J. Cole - J. Cole is ready to blow up and he's not relying on his Jay-Z co-sign to light the fire. As the Roc Nation rookie readies himself for the release of his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story at the end of this month, Cole is recognized for his critically acclaimed mixtape.Nomination: Best Mixtape (Friday Night Lights)(Photo: Roger Kisby/PictureGroup)

29 / 44

Kendrick Lamar - If you haven't heard of him yet, you will soon. Compton native Kendrick Lamar was recently named the new king of the west coast in unofficial coronation ceremony at a concert in L.A. where the torch was passed from Dre, Snoop and Game down to him.Nomination: Best Mixtape (Section .80)(Photo: Courtesy of Swaggatory.com)

30 / 44

Diddy - From his business ventures and the boardroom to his involvement with Dirty Money, Diddy is still running things. The music mogul temporarily narrowed down his focus in the past year delivering his Last Train to Paris with Dirty Money this past December. Nomination: Hustler of the Year(Photo: Earl Gibson/PictureGroup)

31 / 44

DJ Drama -  Nomination: DJ of the Year (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup

32 / 44

DJ Enuff - Nomination: DJ of the Year (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) 

Photo By Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

33 / 44

DJ Envy - Nomination: DJ of the Year (Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images

34 / 44

DJ Prostyle - Nomination: DJ of the Year (Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup) 

Photo By Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup

35 / 44

J.U.S.T.I.C.E League -   Nomination: Producer of the Year (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

36 / 44

Lex Luger -   Nomination: Producer of the Year (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images

37 / 44

No I.D. - Nomination: Producer of the Year  (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for BMI)

Photo By Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for BMI

38 / 44

Kane Beatz - Nomination: Producer of the Year (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

39 / 44

Jeff Bhasker - Nomination: Producer of the Year  (Photo: Courtesy Bing)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Bing

40 / 44

Bangladesh - Nomination: Track of the Year ("6 Foot 7 Foot")  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

41 / 44

Stargate - Nomination: Track of the Year ("Black and Yellow") (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records

42 / 44

T Minus -  Nomination: Track of the Year ("I'm On One")(Photo: Courtesy Complex)

43 / 44

Diplo - Nomination: Track of the Year ("Look At Me Now") (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

44 / 44

Afrojack - Nomination: Track of the Year ("Look At Me Now") (Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images) 

Photo By Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images