ATLANTA — MC Lyte said she was initially nervous following a video tribute that honored the veteran rapper for her career achievements at the eighth annual BET Hip-Hop Awards Saturday.


Once MC Lyte gathered herself, she thanked a host of people who helped further her career. She urged the female rappers who have come after her to continue to shine and push the genre forward.


"Please keep the dream alive, I am with you," said MC Lyte, who was given the "I Am Hip-Hop Award" at the taped award show at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. The show airs on Oct. 15.


Rapper Eve handed the award to MC Lyte, who became known in the rap game in the late `80s and `90s. She relied on wit rather than sexuality and rapped with a man's bluster and braggadocio. She delivered hits such as "Cha Cha Cha," "Lyte as a Rock," "Poor Georgie" and "I Cram to Understand U."


Actor Will Smith, his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and rapper-actress Queen Latifah took part in the video that paid homage to Lyte.


"She set the precedent for female freestylers," Eve said of MC Lyte. "I'm truly, truly honored. She has meant so much to me in my career."


Drake won the People's Champ award, but Kendrick Lamar captivated attendees with his recorded four-minute freestyle. It earned applause from the audience and others from Rick Ross to MC Lyte.


But shortly afterward, French Montana and Diddy slightly jabbed the Los Angeles-based rapper – who recently called himself the "King of New York" on Big Sean's "Control."


While Montana performed "Ain't Worried About Nothing," he put a crown on Diddy's head as a symbol that the rap mogul is the king of his native New York. When the camera caught Lamar's reaction, he smiled and applauded Montana and Diddy.



Snoop Dogg was his ultra-smooth self in the rapper's first hosting gig, driving onto the stage in a blue 1964 Chevy Impala with hydraulics to start the show. He also used the platform to show off his YouTube network called GGN (Double G News), featuring interviews with rapper 2 Chainz and comedian Luenell.


Kevin Hart provided some comedy, teasing Floyd Mayweather Jr. for wearing cowboy boots. The comedian and his "Real Husbands of Hollywood" cast members also did a spoof of the show's popular freestyle cypher session.


Bone Thugs-n-Harmony performed "Thuggish Ruggish Bone," "First of the Month" and "Crossroads." Juvenile made a surprise appearance with 2 Chainz. Rick Ross took the stage with Future, performing "No Games."


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Online:


http://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2013/splash.html


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Follow Jonathan Landrum Jr. on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MrLandrum31





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  • MC Lyte


    Rapper MC Lyte accepts the "I Am Hip Hop Award" during the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • MC Lyte, Eve


    Rapper Eve, left, presents rapper MC Lyte with the "I Am Hip Hop Award" during the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Meek Mill


    Meek Mill performs at the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Kevin Hart


    Comedian Kevin Hart presents the "Perfect Combo Award" during the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Diddy, Sean Combs


    Rappers Diddy, left, also known as Sean Combs, performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Kendrick Lamar


    Rapper Kendrick Lamar, right, performs at the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Future


    Rapper Future performs at the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • 2 Chainz


    Rapper 2 Chainz performs at the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Snoop Dogg


    Rapper Snoop Dogg takes the stage to host the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Diddy, Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg


    Rappers Diddy, left, also known as Sean Combs, and Snoop Dogg perform during the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Snoop Dogg


    Rapper Snoop Dogg takes the stage to host the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • 2 Chainz


    Rapper 2 Chainz arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • MC Lyte


    Rapper MC Lyte arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Nelly


    Rapper Nelly arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Nelly


    Photographers are reflected in the glasses of rapper Nelly as he arrives on the red carpet for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Eve


    Rapper Eve arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Kevin Hart


    Comedian Kevin Hart arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Snoop Dogg


    Rapper Snoop Dogg arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)




  • Snoop Dogg


    Rapper Snoop Dogg arrives for the BET Hip Hop Awards, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)