For me it was another year and another subpar BET Awards show. I usually make it a point to miss them and the MTV awards because they’ve consistently been so disappointing, but due to the tragic loss of Michael Jackson, I decided I’d watch this year. There were close to no memorable moments but even worse, hip hop added more damage to it’s image last night. I decided I’d grade the hip hop performances with commentary.

Soulja Boy “Turn My Swag On”: It’s very difficult to be hard on him due to his youth and he can’t be blamed for his success, but BET has got to take the blame for continuing to expose the masses to music with no substance and poor performances. This performance was no different. Back and forth across the stage. “I’m gettin moneeeeey!” Grade: D

Jay Z “D.O.A” By far one of best performances of the evening. Hov does it again. The Live was a nice touch although they seem to be playing over the music track. Love or hate the song, it’s undeniably a hip hop record. More refreshing for me is that is a song with a fucking concept and a meaning. You don’t get that too often these days, but Jay delivered it nicely. Grade: -A

Drake, Lil Wayne and the Cash Money crew “Best I Ever Had” and “Every Girl: An injured Drake sat on a stool for the entire performance. If that wasn’t strange enough, these role models had pre-teen girls dancing on stage with them while they performed their unedited, profanity laced material. Very poor performance and even worse taste. Grade: -D

With so much going on the world, I’m still holding out for mainstream hip hop to educate as well as entertain. I’m optimistic!

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