Rapper Kanye West has emerged as the frontrunner for this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards.
The 32-year-old Chicago-based entertainer captured nine nominations.
Following West are Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, who earned seven nominations apiece.
Coming in with six nods is T.I. In addition to recognizing the best in rap music, the BET Hip-Hop Awards will honor iconic West Coast rhymesayer Ice Cube with the I Am Hip-Hop” icon award.
The announcement of the Hip-Hop Award nominees comes after BET recently named comedian Mike Epps was the host for the fourth annual event.
The 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards will take place October 10 in Atlanta.
The event will be broadcast on BET on October 27.
The following is a partial list of 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards nominees:
Best Hip-Hop Collaboration
“Pop Champagne,” Jim Jones & Ron Browz featuring Juelz Santana
“Mrs. Officer,” Lil Wayne featuring Bobby Valentino “Magnificent,”
Rick Ross featuring John Legend “Live Your Life,”
T.I. featuring Rihanna “Put On,” Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West
Best Live Performer Busta Rhymes
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West
Lyricist of the Year
Drake
Eminem
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
Kanye West
Video Director of the Year
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams
Producer of the Year
Ron Browz
Cool & Dre
Tha Bizness
T-Pain
Kanye West
Track of the Year
“Day “N” Nite,” Kid Cudi
“D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune),” Jay-Z
“Every Girl – Young Money,” Lil Wayne, Drake, Jae Mills, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine
“Live Your Life,” T.I. featuring Rihanna
“Turn My Swag On,” Soulja Boy Tell’em
CD of the Year
Relapse, Eminem
The Renaissance, Q-Tip
Paper Trail, T.I.
808s & Heartbreak, Kanye West
The Recession, Young Jeezy
Rookie of the Year
B.O.B. Dorrough
Drake
Kid Cudi
Wale
Best Hip-Hop Video
“Ice Cream Paint Job,” Dorrough
“We Made You,” Eminem – We Made You
“D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune),” Jay-Z
“Day “N” Nite,”
Kid Cudi
“Live Your Life,” T.I. featuring Rihanna
