On Oct. 2nd, Hip-Hop’s industry elite from across the country descended on Atlanta’s Civic Center for the 2010 edition of BET’s Hip Hop Awards. But before the actual TV taping, a select number of current chart-toppers, legends, standout rookies, and ATL royalty graced the renamed “black carpet.” The artists mingled for well over two hours, giving ample time for discussion on their past work and future plans.
The BET Hip Hop Awards ’10 airs on Tuesday October 12 at 8PM.
Lola Munroe
Best Cypher Peformer She’s Seen So Far: “I’d have to say Cory Gunz. That was a few years ago but he killed it.”
Next Project: “Being that I’m not going to rush an album, I’m going to give my fans an EP. I’ll definitely be working with different producers, even underground.”
Raekwon
On his return to form: “Now I’m where I need to be at. I’ve been in shape [lyrically] the last three years. Still a chubby gangster, though.”
Predicting Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Paquiao: “Wow, I’m riding with Floyd. I think Floyd is our Muhammad Ali of today.”
DJ Greg Street and journalist Chloe Hilliard on the Upcoming BET’s Top 10 Rappers of the 21st Century Show
Chloe: “What I said about Lil Wayne, you’ll have to see the whole thing. The teaser was to entice you.”
Greg Street: “She said Weezy was the greatest!”
Chloe: “I will not confirm nor deny that!”
Tony Neal, Core DJs founder
On today’s DJ: “I think we get more respect. It started with the DJ, but we’re kind of being recognized for that [now]. With sales and everything, artists need as much help as possible, so it’s been taken back to the DJ.”
Laws
Next mixtape: “I’m coming out with a dedication to Paul McCartney called Yesterday’s Future. So it’s a lot more ambitious than the last one.
Yelawolf
Two albums in six months: “0-60 is coming out November 23, my first album for Interscope. After that, I’m going to be releasing an album in March [2011] called Radioactive.”
Waka Flocka
“Flockaveli on October 5,get it! [Buy] one for the car, one for the house, and one in plastic. Flockaveli is a classic!”
The New Boyz
On new album in early 2011: “We don’t have to prove anything, but we want people to know what it really is. We’re going to keep working hard so people don’t think we’re just a jerk dance phase.”
Lloyd
On his next album: “You’ve never heard music like this. You’ve never heard this side of me. It’s gonna be one of the best albums of 2010-2011. I guarantee it. You are the average of the five people you are around. When you add up my five people you get Polow Da Don, Stakeboard P, Timbaland, Jimmy Iovine and myself.”
Soulja Boy
On working with Kanye West: “I listened to the finished product and that really opened my mind. I don’t even want to say as a rapper, just as a musician. It really opens your mind to different sounds, drum kicks and all of that.”
DJ Premier Arriving with the Late Guru’s Young Son for the Show’s Tribute
106 & Park Freestyle Champion Bones Brigante
Trey Songz
Gucci Mane