BET Hip Hop Awards weekend or any award show weekend kicks off pretty early with events surrounding the event. This year the Peter Thomas Entertainment Group (PTEG), in conjunction with UPTOWN Magazine and Music Executive Debra Antney, presented the first 2014 How Can I Be Down? Salute to Excellence Awards honoring Hip Hop pioneers. Media, tastemakers, music execs, and reality starts gathered at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate this year’s honorees: David Banner, Shanti Das, Kenny Burns, Jermaine Dupri, Ryan Glover, Clifford “T.I.” Harris, and Greg Street. Peter also surprised Kandi Burruss with an award for her contributions to American music during the black-tie event.
Celebrity guests included Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss and husband Todd Tucker, Kenya Moore, Cynthia Bailey, Claudia Jordan and Demetria McKinney. Also spotted were Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’s Benzino , Dice (Lala’s Full Court Life), Derek J, and more.
Check out photos of the event below courtesy of Prince Williams of ATLPics.net.