Mike Epps Hosts BET HIP HOP AWARDS Tonight, 9/29

BET Networks' flagship music variety program, "106 & PARK," officially announced the nominees for the BET HIP HOP AWARDS (#HIPHOPAWARDS). Actor and comedian Mike Epps (@THEREALMIKEEPPS) will once again host this year's festivities from the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta tonight, September 29, 2012 with the network premiere on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 8:00 pm*.

Mike Epps completely took-over "106 & PARK" today to mark the special occasion and revealed some of the notable nominees with help from A$AP Rocky, Ca$h Out, DJ Envy and DJ Drama. Hip Hop Awards nominated artists A$AP Rocky and Ca$h Out performed their hits "Goldie" and "Cashin Out" while nominated deejay's DJ Envy and DJ Drama spun for the crowd.

The BET HIP HOP AWARDS Voting Academy is comprised of a select assembly of music and entertainment executives, media and industry influencers. Celebrating the biggest names in the game, newcomers on the scene, and shining a light on the community, the BET HIP HOP AWARDS is ready to salute the very best in hip hop culture. Leading the pack of A-list talent this year is Kanye West with 17 Nominations for Best Hip Hop Video; Reese's Perfect Combo Award; Best Live Performer; Lyricist of the Year; Video Director of the Year; Producer of the Year; MVP of the Year; Track of the Year; Made-You-Look Award; Hustler of the Year; Impact Track; and 2 nominations for People's Champ Award Powered by Verizon for "Otis" and "Mercy" and 2 nominations Best Club Banger for "Ni**as in Paris" and "Mercy."

"This year as there's a vibrant, young energy in music that our BET Hip Hop Awards show is poised to capture both in dynamic cyphers and thrilling on-stage performances. The excitement will be coming to you at the speed of light!" stated Stephen G. Hill, President of Specials and Programming, BET Networks. "On another note, you can expect an all-star tribute to our friend Chris Lighty from those artists who loved him and worked with him...when it came to Chris, it was 'love' and 'work' in that order. This show, from front to back, is going to be special."

Following is the Full List of BET HIP HOP AWARDS '12 Nominees and Categories:

Best Hip Hop Video
2 Chainz f/ Drake - No Lie
A$AP Rocky - Goldie
Drake f/ Lil Wayne - HYFR
Wale f/ Miguel - Lotus Flower Bomb
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - Mercy

Reese's Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo)
2 Chainz f/ Drake - No Lie
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga - The Motto (Remix)
J. Cole f/ Missy Elliott - Nobody's Perfect
Wale f/ Miguel - Lotus Flower Bomb
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - Mercy

Best Live Performer
A$AP Rocky
Drake
J. Cole
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Kanye West

Lyricist of the Year
J. Cole
Jay-Z
Kendrick Lamar
Nas
Kanye West

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams
Kanye West

Producer of the Year
Hit-Boy
J. Cole
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
No I.D.
Kanye West

MVP of the Year
2 Chainz
J. Cole
Jay-Z
Rick Ross
Kanye West

Track of the Year
Cashin' Out - Produced by DJ Spinz (Ca$h Out)
Ima Boss - Produced by Jahlil Beats (Meek Mill f/ Rick Ross)
Ni**as in Paris - Produced by Kanye West, Hit-Boy and Mike Dean (The Throne - Jay-Z & Kanye West)
No Lie - Produced by Mike Will Made-It and Co-Produced by Marz (2 Chainz f/ Drake)
The Motto (Remix) - Produced by T-Minus (Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga)

CD of the Year
Common - The Dreamer, The Believer
Drake - Take Care
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) - Watch The Throne
Young Jeezy - TM: 103 Hustlerz Ambition

DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Enuff
DJ Envy
DJ Funkmaster Flex
DJ Khaled

Rookie of the Year
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Ca$h Out
Future
Meek Mill

Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip Hop Style)
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Nicki Minaj
Kanye West

Best Club Banger
Ca$h Out - Cashin' Out (Produced by DJ Spinz)
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga - The Motto (Remix) (Produced by T-Minus)
Future - Same Damn Time (Produced by Sonny Digital)
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) - Ni**as in Paris (Produced by Kanye West, Hit-Boy & Mike Dean)
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - Mercy (Produced by Lifted with additional production by Kanye West)