Atlanta rapper T.I. tops BET nominations

ATLANTA, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Atlanta rapper T.I. has topped all other artists with eight nominations for the upcoming first-ever Black Entertainment Television Hip-Hop Awards.

The Georgia rapper, whose real name is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., was named as a competitor in ceremony-high eight categories Thursday including Hip-Hop MVP of the Year, Video of the Year, and Hip-Hop CD of the year, AllHipHop.com reported.

Following behind T.I. in nominations was Busta Rhymes, who received six nods, Chamillionaire with his five nominations and Yung Joc and Lupe Fiasco with four selections a piece.

BET Networks exec Stephen Hill said that the Nov. 12 ceremony at Atlanta's Fox Theater, which BET will air three days later, will allow the cable network to recognize the growth of the hip-hop culture in today's world.

"This show is very much about where Hip-Hop culture is right now," Hill told the Web site, "but we will honor the original four elements of Hip-Hop and show their connection to today's beats, rhymes and life."