T.I., DMX Make Surprise Appearances At BET Awards

Recently freed rappers T.I. and DMX were the surprise performers at the BET Hip-Hop awards, which took place tonight (October 1st) in Atlanta, Georgia.

A Who's-who in the Hip-Hop community gathered at the BET Hip-Hop awards, where artists like Young Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, Red Cross, and others graced the stage.

Mike Epps entertained the crowd, by taking shots at a number of popular Hip-Hop figures, including Lil Wayne, Russell Simmons and others, and opened the show with a humorous "Hip-Hop Telethon," sketch.

“We can't survive without Hip-Hop,” Mike Epps said. “I'm doing my part. I decided a rapper from Iraq last week, and I know he's going to blow up. I need you to dig deep in your pockets. Baby I need some of that cash money, where you at."

Young Jeezy kicked off the show with a performance that featured explosions and pyrotechnics, as well as a surprise appearance from recently freed rapper T.I.

T.I. then took to the stage to give an energetic performance, looking fresh and healthy, just two days since he was released from an Atlanta halfway house, after serving almost a year in prison for probation violation.

A shirtless Wiz Khalifa gave a rousing performance of his hit single “Taylor Gang”, while Rick Ross, Meek Mill, and Wale performed with surprise guest, El DeBarge.

DMX and Swizz Beatz brought the crowd to their feet when the recently freed rapper hit the stage to perform a medley of his hits, including “Get At Me Dog,” "Ruff Ryders Anthem," and “Up In Here."

Too $hort introduced Lupe Fiasco, who performed and expressing solidarity with the Palestinians. At the end of his performance, which featured a live band, the background singer who was wearing a burqa turn out to be R&B singer Erykah Badu.

Big Sean hit the stage with Roscoe Dash, while Heavy D. closed the live performances with a medley of his hit single.

This year's BET Cyphers contained a number of notable acts.

DJ Premier manned the turntables on each one of the ciphers which included artists like Wais P., Termanology, French Montana, Big K.R.I.T.. Tech N9Ne, Machine Gun Kelly, B.o.B., 2 Chainz, Ludacris, Jay Rock, Skillz, Lady of Rage, Blind Fury, Don Kennedy, Wale, Pill, Stalley, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Estelle, French rapper Soprano and Nitti.

Shady Records' Cypher made the crowd cheer, with standout verses from each member of Slaughterhouse, as well as Yelawolf, and an amazing verse from Eminem himself.

Winners for the evening included Busta Rhymes, who won the "Sweet 16" award for his hit single "Look at Me Now." Chris Brown and Busta also won the "Perfect Combo Award" for the same single, and Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes once again took home "The People's Champ Award."

“You know what the best thing about winning an award is,” Busta Rhymes asked the crowd. "For me the best thing about winning an award is when the people cheer for your win. When you can see that the people are really happy that you are winning something, that's the most reward thing in the world. Thank you."

LL Cool J was honored with the “I Am Hip-Hop Award,” and delivered an amazing rhyme as a thank you speech, which he wrote on the way over to the Atlanta Civic Center.

“My acceptance speech/what I won't do is try preach/I won't assume that I am smarter than you and try to teach/What I will do is set an example for you and inspire you to reach for the stars that's beyond mars that space bars can't delete/Because without a dream fulfilled your life's incomplete/A hearst, a limousine without a backseat/the worst, this Usain Bolt without feet/Real life aint Hollywood, it's Halloween/Every day is trick or treat/It aint a red carpet it's a bloody sidewalk from the wolves eating red meat/and these spotlights don't come with money they come with police/Millionaires cry about raising taxes on the elite/they won't feed us, as they'd rather defeat us/like an aborted fetus/but your greatest feat is to get back up on your feet/Did I mention, life aint a sprint it's a marathon/Really stressful on your tendons/and with the shape the economy is in today, you better run to the polls like skinny Kenyans/26 miles miles and two hours and three minutes/It wasn't weeks or months/It took us 400 years to raise the debt limit/So don't lose faith, there's a sweet life out there and one day you will taste/And just like any marathon, you must monitor your pace/and watch out for the haters pushing drinks up in your face/maintain your focus through the ups and downs and debates/and when you win your award, make sure you put in a safe place/and be prepared for whatever…just in case.

More winners in other categories are slated to be announced when the show airs on October 11th on BET.