CULTURE’S BIGGEST NIGHT, “BET AWARDS” 2023, TO HONOR MC, SONGWRITER, RECORD PRODUCER, AND ACTOR BUSTA RHYMES WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

BIA, COI LERAY, CUTTY RANKS, DEXTA DAPS, M.O.P., RAH DIGGA, SCARLIP, SPICE, SUPERCAT, SWIZZ BEATZ, AND MORE WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HIP HOP TITAN

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“BET AWARDS” 2023 NOMINEES ICE SPICE, LATTO, AND LOLA BROOKE, AND HITMAKERS KALIII AND MAD LION TO PERFORM LIVE 

 

DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ, D-NICE, ERICK SERMON, FABOLOUS, JEEZY, REDMAN,

STYLES P, AND YG JOIN THE NON-STOP PARTY CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

OF HIP HOP

 

“BET AWARDS” 2023 WILL AIR LIVE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 25 AT 8 PM ET/ PT ON BET

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#BETAWARDS

 #CULTURESBIGGESTNIGHT

 

New York, NY (June 23, 2023) – Today, BET announces award-winning multi-platinum MC, songwriter, record producer, and actor Busta Rhymes will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at “BET Awards” 2023. The coveted award commemorates industry pioneers who have powerfully shifted culture and the entertainment industry. Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, M.O.P., Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat, Swizz Beatz, and more surprise guests will take the stage to celebrate Busta Rhymes and his 30-plus-year musical legacy. This year’s ceremony will be a Non-stop Party paying tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop with performances by Dem Franchize Boyz, D-Nice, Erick Sermon, Fabolous, Jeezy, Redman, Styles P, and YG, joining previously announced hip hop stars. “BET Awards” 2023 nominees Ice Spice and Latto, and hip hop artist Mad Lion are also set to perform LIVE. Kaliii and “BET Awards” 2023 nominee Lola Brooke will perform on the BET Amplified stage. Culture’s Biggest Night, “BET Awards” 2023, will air LIVE Sunday, June 25 on BET at 8 pm ET/ PT at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles.

“Busta Rhymes is a multifaceted award-winning artist who has mesmerized audiences for decades with his original hip hop sound and one-of-a-kind visuals. He continues to leave an indelible mark on the culture that we hold dear, and it is with great pride that we present this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to a visionary, a master of rhyme, and a true pioneer. His unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, unapologetically expressing his art, and empowering generations of artists is a testament to his unparalleled legacy,” said Scott Mills, CEO of BET. “We look forward to paying tribute to his remarkable journey and celebrating his countless hits, electrifying performances, and unforgettable moments defining an art form and the culture.”

 

From West Coast to East Coast, Trap to Bounce, Afro Beats and Dancehall, the culture’s finest are set to deliver a full range of Hip Hop favorites, including performances by previously announced 69 Boyz, Big Daddy Kane, Chief Keef, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play,

MC Lyte, Percy “Master P” Miller, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Tyga, Uncle Luke, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins, and Yo-Yo. Coco Jones, Doechii, GloRilla, and Lil Uzi Vert are also set to join the party.

 

ABOUT BUSTA RHYMES

Known for his rapid-fire delivery, intricate rhymes, and charismatic stage presence, Busta Rhymes has solidified his position as one of the most influential figures in Hip Hop. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, he began his musical journey in the early ‘90s as a member of the seminal Golden Era Hip Hop group Leaders of the New School. With their energetic style and Busta's distinctive voice, the group gained attention and released two albums before disbanding in 1993. After going solo, he quickly made an impact with his debut album, setting the stage to establish himself as a solo artist and further develop his signature style. Throughout his career, Busta Rhymes has consistently pushed the boundaries of Hip Hop with his innovative and eclectic approach. His albums showcase his peerless versatility and feature collaborations with renowned artists such as Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Sean “DIDDY” Combs. Busta Rhymes and his captivating performances both on stage and in dynamic music videos have become legendary. 

 

In addition to his musical achievements, Busta Rhymes has also made notable contributions to the film industry. He has appeared in several movies, including "Higher Learning" (1995), "Shaft" (2000), and "Halloween: Resurrection" (2002), showcasing his talent as an actor. With a career spanning several decades, Busta Rhymes continues to release music that resonates with fans around the world, reaffirming his position as a rap legend. As a multi-talented artist and an influential figure in the entertainment industry, he continues to captivate audiences with his electrifying performances and groundbreaking music. 

 

Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include industry legends Sean “Diddy” Combs, Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition, to name a few. 

 

“BET Awards,” has been the #1 cable award show among all adults 18-49 for the last two consecutive years and is the #1 cable award show among Black adults 18-49 for the 21st consecutive year (CY02-CY22). “BET Awards” is the ultimate platform to showcase the best, brightest, and most beautiful aspects of the Black experience – honoring the present and future of Black music, creativity, and sportsmanship, by celebrating the culture and being a driving force for social change. 

 

Voting for “BET Awards” 2023 Viewer’s Choice Award began on June 8, 2023, and ends June 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM PT/ 9:30 PM ET. Cast your vote here: https://www.bet.com/viewerschoice23

 

BET.com/bet-awards is the official site for “BET Awards” 2023 and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. Follow us @ BET and @BETAWARDS.

 

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, will oversee and Executive Produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy to Co-Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.

 

ABOUT BET:

BET, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, a growing BET festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

 

ABOUT “BET AWARDS”

“BET Awards” is one of the most-watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is the #1 telecast for BET every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.

 

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment.  JCE has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks.  On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players.  The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story; scripted series—American Soul and Real Husbands of Hollywood; children’s series—Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices; award shows—BET Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF’s An Evening of Stars, BET Hip Hop Awards, ABFF Honors and Soul Train Awards; specials—John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today, Stand Up for Heroes, Dear Mama, Amanda Seales I Be Knowin’, Def Comedy Jam 25 and Leslie Jones: Time Machine; as well as competition/game shows—Sunday Best, Hip Hop Squares, Nashville Squares and Rhythm & Flow.  Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming.  He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic GRAMMY® Awards.  Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards®.  Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.

 

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