Lil Wayne, Chris Brown Win Big at 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards

After taping two weeks ago, the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards aired last night (October 11) in its usual spot, the Civic Center down in Atlanta, but an untraditional rapper ended up taking home the most awards.

Chris Brown was ironically the biggest winner of the night as the R&B singer earned three awards. Breezy who was not present at the Awards due to his F.A.M.E. tour took home Best Hip Hop Video, Reese’s Perfect Combo Award and People’s Champ Award powered by Verizon, all thanks to his smash hit single “Look At Me Now” featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne. Not only that, CB’s video contributed to Busta winning Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse.

Nicki Minaj was again one of the Awards’ biggest winners. After collecting three at last year’s show, this year the YMCMB star got two awards, MVP of the Year and the Made-You-Look Award for the second time in a row. Still, Minaj was not the only Young Money artist to bring home multiple trophies as her Young Money boss Lil Wayne earned Best Live Performer and Lyricist of the Year.

Taking home Track of the Year and Rookie of the year was 2010 XXL freshman Wiz Khalifa, the last artist to win more than one award. Wiz was the only major winner to actually be in attendance, and he performed “Taylor Gang” off his Cabin Fever mixtape along with associate  Chevy Woods.

Although none were at the Civic Center for the award show, the Roc was definitely not empty-handed. Roc Nation founder Jay-Z received Hustler of the Year, while his artist, XXL Freshman alum J. Cole, won Best Mixtape for Friday Night Lights. Roc-A-Fella artist Kanye West completed the “holy trinity” as he collected CD of the Year for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

BET continued its popular, cypher series with a segment that starred Eminem and his Shady 2.0 boys (Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf), Chris Brown, B.o.B, Tech N9ne, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T., Machine Gun Kelly, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Skillz, and current XXL cover boys: Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Pill, Wale and Stalley.

BET recruited several rap heavyweights to perform, that surprisingly weren't nominated for any awards. Lupe Fiasco was in the building as he rocked out with a live band to "Words I Never Said," with surprise guest Erykah Badu. Heavy D and DMX recited medleys of their hits. The growling human dog brought out Swizz Beatz for a flurry that consisted of “Get at Me Dog,” “Ruff Ryders Anthem” and Party Up,” while the Heavy D set included “We Got Our Thing,” “The Overweight Lover’s in the House” and “Is It Good to You.”

The biggest shock of the night however was the recently uncaged King of the South,T.I., who performed “F.A.M.E” with Young Jeezy.

For a full list of the winners of the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards visit here. —Christopher Minaya