Ya Heard: A look at the Hip Hop Awards

"When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear."

Let me begin by apologizing for my absence last week. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties on my end, we were not able to get the column in the printed edition of last week's paper.

The column was available online and I thank everyone who read it as well as those of you who e-mailed me wondering where the column was. It felt good to be missed.

Now if I can just get the same reaction in all aspects of my life I'll be in good shape.

Let's go…

Revisiting the 2008 BET Hip Hop Awards

For those of you that missed it, last week I made some predictions on which artists I thought would win at the 2008 BET Hip Hop Awards. I also shared my feelings on who I believed deserved to win; two different things as you'll see.

As far as how the show went, it was OK. It could've been a little better, but I appreciate the effort. The freestyle ciphers were incredible as usual and it is clear that Cory Gunz is official. Get ready for him to be very visible in the near future; Lil' Wayne be warned…

As far as the scorecard on my picks, here you have it:

Best Hip Hop Video

Actual winner: Kanye West featuring T Pain, "Good Life"

Ya Heard winner: Snoop Dogg, "Sensual Seduction"

Predicted winner: DJ Khaled featuring Everyone, "I'm So Hood"

What can I say, politics man. Snoop's video was far better than the other nominees. "Good Life" was the best song, but its video was lazily done. I figured Khaled would win for helping BET put Jeezy, Luda, Busta, Big Boi, Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross on television all at the same time. I lost this round, but not by much.

Best Hip Hop collaboration

Actual winner: DJ Khaled featuring Everyone, "I'm So Hood"

Ya Heard winner: Kanye West featuring T Pain, "Good Life"

Predicted winner: Flo Rida featuring T Pain, "Low"

Ah, so here we are. I knew BET would show Khaled some love for this video. I predicted Flo Rida to win this because of the disgusting amount of commercial success the song attracted. In my "professionally-opinionated" opinion, "Low" was garbage! Even with said, I couldn't go an hour without somehow seeing the video or hearing the song in the Honda at the light next to me…crazy!

Lyricist of the Year

Actual winner: Lil' Wayne

Ya Heard winner: T.I. or Nas

Predicted winner: Lil' Wayne

Bull's-eye, finally! As I said last week, its not that Wayne is the most gifted emcee when it comes to actual lyrics, but the hype his hard work has earned him makes everything he does seem to be superior to everyone else. T.I. is killing the game right now, just ask Shawty L-O.

By the way, did anyone see Lo win the Rookie of the Year award? Hilarious! We all know how Lo attempted to kill T.I.'s hip-hop credibility by partaking in a blistering campaign accusing the King of not being from Atlanta's Bankhead neighborhood. T.I., who has repped Bankhead all of his career, proceeded to not only lyrically crush Lo's career; not only prove he is actually from Bankhead, but also make Shawty Lo admit there may have been a misunderstanding.

Anyway, when his name was called to receive the award, his own hometown crowd booed him. Lil' Wayne felt sorry for him and quickly jumped on stage to give the man a charity hand shake, but the damage was done. Come on Lo, stay in your lane and let the King of the South do his thing.

Track of the Year

Actual winner: Lil' Wayne "A Milli"

Ya Heard winner: Lil' Wayne,

"A Milli"

Predicted winner: Lil' Wayne "A Milli"

George Walker could've successfully predicted this one. As a matter of fact, I think I heard G on one of the million remixes to this song. "A Milli" was the song of the year without a doubt. Hot fire like Dylan!

CD of the Year

Actual winner: Lil' Wayne, "The Carter III"

Ya Heard winner: Jay Z, "American Gangster"

Predicted winner: Kanye West, "Graduation"

I guess anyone of these albums is a good pick. Personally, I think Jay edged everyone out this year. Nevertheless, I'm not mad at the Lil' Wayne victory. I thought Kanye would have won for his overall appeal.

Hustler of the Year

Actual winner: P. Diddy

Ya Heard winner: DJ Khaled

Predicted winner: Lil' Wayne

As I expressed last week, Khaled was given the award within this column because I'm still trying to figure out exactly what this guy does. I feel he brings absolutely nothing unique to the game, yet I have to give him his props because he's making no talent look like "hard work." Now that's what I call a hustler.

Biggups to Diddy though, he's one of the original hip-hop hustlers and was schooled by the greatest of them all: Russell Simmons.

Once again, you have to love the fact that there is a Hip Hop Awards show.

Now we just need to get one that entails all the politics and commercial hoopla that pops up in all mainstream media.

Time for a Hip Hop Award given by the streets -- not the Internet -- but the streets!

Quickies

» Please continue to keep Jennifer Hudson and her family in your prayers. Her mother, brother and nephew were found fatally shot over the weekend. It is often easy for us to make light of a celebrity's hardships, but this was something so sinister that it had to hit home in your heart. At the very least go buy her new album to show your support…

» I'm glad to report that Phife of A Tribe Called Quest has finally received a long overdue kidney transplant. Can't wait to see Phife rippin' and runnin' again…

» Don't forget to vote next week! It cannot be stressed to you anymore than it already has, so make it happen.

Ya Heard Trivia

Which presidential candidate will win next week's presidential election?

Be the third person to correctly answer this question and win two free AMC movie tickets courtesy of the News & Messenger… 'Til next week, Peace!!!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.