Burna Boy Misses Historic Record at 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards, Kendrick Lamar Dominates with Four Wins 

Burna Boy has been on the verge of setting a historic record as the Nigerian artist with the highest number of nominations at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. 

However, when the awards ceremony concluded at Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, Burna Boy did not secure a victory in any of the six categories for which he had received nominations.

The night’s standout victor turned out to be Kendrick Lamar, the American rapper and songwriter, who took home four awards on October 3, with the broadcast taking place later on October 10. 

Unlike Burna Boy, Kendrick Lamar swept the board in every category he was nominated in, earning the titles of Hip Hop Artist of the Year, lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performer, and Video Director of the Year, alongside his collaborator Dave Free.

Several artists left with two awards each, with notable recipients including Drake and 21 Savage (winning for hip hop album of the year for “Her Loss” and best duo or group), Lil Durk featuring J. Cole (victorious in the best collaboration and impact track categories for “All My Life”), Lil Uzi Vert (earning honors for song of the year and best hip hop video for “Just Wanna Rock”), and Metro Boomin (receiving accolades as producer of the year and DJ of the year).

At the outset, Cardi B and 21 Savage led the nominations with a dozen each, but while Cardi missed out on awards, 21 Savage claimed the two aforementioned honors. 

The award show, hosted by Fat Joe, showcased performances by artists such as Sexyy Red, GloRilla, City Girls, and DaBaby. It also featured a tribute by LL Cool J and Rakim in honor of the night’s I Am Hip Hop Award recipient, Marley Marl, and a So So Def 30th-anniversary tribute including Lil Jon, Ludacris, Nelly, Chingy, Bow Wow, Da Brat, and others.