What Is 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards was a non-televised event honoring the best in hip hop music for that year, held on October 15, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia, and hosted by comedian Katt Williams. It celebrated achievements in categories like Best Hip Hop Album and Best Collaboration, with artists such as T.I., Ludacris, and Mary J. Blige receiving honors.

Key Facts

The 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards took place on October 15, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Comedian Katt Williams hosted the inaugural ceremony.
T.I. won Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Hip Hop Album for 'King'.
Ludacris took home the Viewer’s Choice Award for 'Gimme Some More'.
The event was not televised and served as a precursor to the official BET Hip Hop Awards show launched in 2007.

Overview

The 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards marked the first official recognition ceremony by BET dedicated exclusively to hip hop music and culture. Though not televised, the event laid the foundation for what would become an annual televised awards show beginning in 2007. Held on October 15, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia, it celebrated the most influential artists, producers, and tracks of the year.

Hosted by comedian Katt Williams, the ceremony highlighted achievements across multiple categories, blending fan voting with editorial decisions by BET. Unlike the mainstream BET Awards, this event focused strictly on hip hop, spotlighting both mainstream success and underground influence. The 2006 edition served as a prototype, testing formats and audience engagement ahead of the official launch the following year.

Best Hip Hop Album went to T.I. for his critically acclaimed release King, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in March 2006.
Best Male Hip Hop Artist was awarded to T.I., cementing his status as a leading figure in Southern hip hop during the mid-2000s.
Ludacris won the Viewer’s Choice Award for his hit single Gimme Some More, reflecting strong fan support and radio dominance.
Mary J. Blige received the I Am Hip Hop Icon Award, honoring her lasting influence on rap and R&B fusion throughout her career.
The Best Collaboration award recognized the powerhouse team-up of DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Plies, and Lil Wayne on We Takin' Over.

How It Works

The 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards operated as a behind-the-scenes honors event, combining editorial input with audience engagement to spotlight key contributors to the genre. While not broadcast, the results were published and promoted across BET platforms, shaping public perception of hip hop’s elite.

Eligibility Period: Releases between June 2005 and May 2006 were considered for nomination, ensuring relevance to the current hip hop cycle.
Voting Process: A hybrid model used fan votes online and input from a panel of music industry experts to determine winners.
Categories: The show featured 12 award categories, including Producer of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Hip Hop Video.
Host Role:Katt Williams provided comedic commentary and transitions, setting a tone later adopted in televised versions.
Award Distribution: Winners were notified post-event, with trophies mailed or presented at follow-up industry gatherings in major music hubs.
Media Rollout: Highlights were published on BET.com and featured in BET Weekly, ensuring visibility despite no live broadcast.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards differed significantly from its later televised iterations and other major music award shows. Below is a comparative breakdown:

Award Show	Year Established	Televised	Primary Voting Method	Notable Winner (2006)
BET Hip Hop Awards	2006 (unofficial), 2007 (official)	No (2006), Yes (2007+)	Mixed: Fan + Industry Panel	T.I. – Best Album
BET Awards	2001	Yes	Fan Voting	John Legend – Best Male R&B Artist
Grammy Awards	1959	Yes	Recording Academy Members	John Legend – Best New Artist
VMA Awards	1984	Yes	Fan + MTV Committee	Red Hot Chili Peppers – Video of the Year
Source Awards	1999	No	Editorial Panel	OutKast – Best Group (2004)

Unlike the fan-driven BET Awards or the industry-exclusive Grammys, the 2006 Hip Hop Awards struck a balance between public opinion and editorial curation. Its lack of broadcast limited reach but allowed BET to refine the format before launching the official show in 2007, which quickly gained traction for its cyphers and live performances.

Why It Matters

The 2006 BET Hip Hop Awards was a pivotal moment in recognizing hip hop as a distinct cultural force within BET’s programming. By creating a dedicated space for rap artists separate from R&B and pop, BET acknowledged the genre’s growing commercial and artistic influence.

Set the Stage for the official 2007 launch, which became a staple of hip hop’s annual calendar with high-profile performances and cyphers.
Elevated Southern Hip Hop by honoring T.I. and Ludacris, highlighting Atlanta’s dominance in the mid-2000s rap scene.
Validated Crossover Success through Mary J. Blige’s icon award, recognizing hip hop’s integration with R&B and mainstream culture.
Introduced Hybrid Voting, blending fan engagement with expert opinion—a model later adopted by other award shows.
Boosted Artist Profiles for winners, leading to increased radio play, tour bookings, and endorsement opportunities.
Preserved Hip Hop Legacy by documenting key achievements annually, creating a historical record of the genre’s evolution.

The 2006 event may have flown under the radar at the time, but its impact resonated through the years, shaping how hip hop is celebrated on national platforms.