The best all-time performances at the BET Hip Hop Awards

The first BET Hip Hop Awards took place in the southern rap mecca of Atlanta. It was only right for the show to invite So So Def records founder, Jermaine Dupri, to perform his hit song,"Welcome to Atlanta," with fellow ATL hometown heroes Ludacris, Jeezy and Lil Jon. 

2007 was primetime for Chicago rapper Kanye West. He released his third studio album, "Graduation," and went to the BET Hip Hop Awards to perform his hit songs “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Good Life.” However, one of the highlights came when he accepted the Best Hip-Hop Video Award for his song "Stronger" but stated how UGK and OutKast should have won for their hit record "International Players Anthem." 

Rapper T.I. performed a hip-hop medley of hits with guests Ludacris and B.O.B. However, during Ludacris' solo set, as he performed "The Last of a Dying Breed," he brought out hip-hop legend Rakim on stage with him. 

If there's anyone who could pull off double duties as a performer and a host, it's T-Pain in 2008, T-Pain was coined the host of the BET Hip Hop Awards, but he also brought his sense of humor and showmanship to the stage, as he performed hits such as "Can't Believe It" and "Chopped & Skrewed" alongside Lil Wayne and Ludacris. 

Fabolous and The-Dream were certified hitmakers in 2009, and their magic was on full display as they performed "Throw It in the Bag." The song helped crown them as the winners of the People's Champ Award. 

In 2009, Jay Z became a top winner at the BET Hip Hop Awards, garnering honors such as MVP of the Year, Lyricist of the Year and Best Live Performer. He proved all of his wins with a performance to "Real As It Gets," featuring Jeezy. 

The Digital Underground became quite popular in the '90s, thanks to the hit song "The Humpty Dance." To celebrate the song's 20th anniversary, group members Shock G and Money-B performed the smash hit before paying tribute to the late Tupac with a performance of “I Get Around.”

Rapper Rick Ross brought Diddy and DJ Khaled along to hype up the crowd for his performance of "B.M.F. (Blowing Money Fast)" and "MC Hammer." However, as the last song faded, he surprised the audience with an impromptu "Too Legit to Quit" performance from the legendary rapper MC Hammer. It was a prime example of a newer rap generation paying respect to the trailblazers. 

Hip-hop fans had the chance to take a trip down memory lane when rapper DMX took the stage. He brought out producer Swizz Beatz, as they performed hits like "Get At Me Dog," "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "Party Up."

Heavy D made quite the splash back in the '90s and was set to make a comeback in 2011. To celebrate his career, he took the stage to perform hits like "Nuttin' But Love" and "Is It Good To You." Unfortunately, this was Heavy D's last performance before his untimely death a few weeks later.

Typically, tributes at award shows are in celebration of an artist; however, the Hip Hop Awards switched things up in 2012 to honor late music executive Chris Lighty. Performers for the tribute included Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Missy Elliott and 50 Cent.

2 Chainz took over the Hip Hop Awards stage when he performed his 2013 hit, "Fork." However, he then surprised the audience with guest appearances from Mannie Fresh and Juvenile, as they performed "Go DJ" and "Back That A** Up." 

One of the best things about the Hip Hop Awards is how the organizers don’t let the audience forget about legendary MCs. In 2013, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performed a medley of their hits, including “Thuggish Ruggish Bone,” “1^st of tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads.”

Chicago rapper Common is known for bringing a conscious voice to hip-hop. He teamed up with Vince Staples, Jay Electronica and a choir for the performance of the “Kingdom” remix. At the end of the song, they brought out the parents of slain teenager Michael Brown, leading the crowd to give a standing ovation with a “hands up, don’t shoot” stance.

In 2014, producer DJ Mustard wanted to prove how much he was becoming the king of radio hits. During his performance, he brought out artists like Boosie, Ty Dolla Sign, YG and Teefli to show the audience the number of hits that had Mustard on the beat. 

R&B singer Brandy first come on the music scene back in 1994 with her debut single, "I Wanna Be Down." Even as a newcomer, she managed to collaborate on the track's remix with some of the biggest names in hip-hop: MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of "I Wanna Be Down," all four ladies brought the audience to its feet with their performance at the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Travis Scott gained quite the buzz on the mixtape scene; however it was upon the release of his debut album, "Rodeo," when he showed fans that he's a hitmaker on the rise. He proved this during his 2015 performance of "90210" and "Antidote," as the stage highlighted the album's themes and Scott showcased his magnetic energy. 

Over the past few years, Atlanta rapper T.I. has used his platform to fight against police brutality and racial injustice. He brought his stance to the 2016 Hip Hop Awards as he performed “We Will Not" on a stage filled with protestors who were being silenced by law enforcement. 

Although the stage performances are a huge part of the award show, the freestyle cypher sessions are equally as impressive, if not more impressive. Eminem made worldwide headlines with his solo cypher against Donald Trump. His four-minute anti-Trump takedown was filled with bars on Trump's decision-making and his treatment of athletes who choose to kneel during the national anthem. Watch the full cypher here. 

Producer and social media sensation DJ Khaled had the honor of hosting the award show and performing when the ceremony was held in his hometown of Miami. To honor a fellow hometown hero, Uncle Luke, DJ Khaled along with Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and Trina performed a medley of their hit songs as Luke was gifted with the prestigious I Am Hip-Hop Award.

Cardi B is no stranger to commanding a stage and perfecting her showmanship. She did just that when she performed her hit song "Get Up 10" as well as "Backin' It Up" alongside Pardison Fontaine in 2018. 

Comedian Lil Duval decided to take the summer by storm with his hit song, "Smile (Living My Best Life)." The single is an essential party track that was perfect for Lil Duval to perform as the finale to the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards.