#music #hiphop #cardib #21savage #megantheestallion #glorilla #betawards #blerds #blerd music
Let me start by saying, I get it: award shows—especially ones like the BET Hip Hop Awards—are a mix of industry influence and actual popularity. It’s a well-known fact that visibility, influence, and overall cultural dominance play a big role. But I can’t help but feel a little shocked by some of the outcomes this year.
Cardi B winning over Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla? 21 Savage beating out Kendrick Lamar? Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not hating on Cardi or Savage at all. I appreciate their contributions to the game. But given the year Kendrick, Megan, and GloRilla have had, I expected different results. So, how did Cardi and Savage win? Let’s break it down.
Cardi B Beating Megan and GloRilla: What’s the Deal?
Cardi B is a force, no doubt. But here’s the thing—I didn’t see a Cardi B album drop this year. In fact, she’s still teasing her sophomore project. So, how did she win over Megan and GloRilla, both of whom had incredible years? I’m not saying Cardi didn’t have hits—she was featured on “Tomorrow 2” with GloRilla, which was huge. But that’s still more of a GloRilla win in my opinion.
Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion had 12 nominations, and she absolutely deserved it. Tracks from her 2022 album, Traumazine, like “Her” and “Plan B”, were still making waves. Her collaboration with GloRilla on “Wanna Be” was another highlight, showing these two are a fierce duo in the game. Megan’s lyrics have substance. She’s not just talking about materialism or surface-level topics. She’s diving deep into themes of empowerment, confidence, and resilience.
Then there’s GloRilla. I admit, at first, I didn’t really connect with her music. But when I gave her a chance, tracks like “Tomorrow 2” and “Wanna Be” hit differently. “Tomorrow” in particular has become my daily motivation anthem. Glo’s got that raw energy, that street vibe mixed with girly confidence, which makes her unique. It’s hard to ignore the fact that she’s gaining momentum fast. Yet, despite their massive cultural impact, Cardi B took home the award. How?
It might come down to industry popularity. Cardi’s name still carries a ton of weight, and her collaborations always seem to shine. In fact, I sometimes think Cardi puts more effort into her features than her own songs (in a good way). She manages to steal the show without hogging the spotlight. But is that enough to win over the likes of Megan and GloRilla, who’ve had more front-and-center success this year? I’m not so sure.
21 Savage vs. Kendrick Lamar: A Battle of Influence
Now, onto 21 Savage beating Kendrick Lamar. I like 21 Savage, even though his style is more violent than my usual taste. But I can’t deny his ability to motivate and captivate listeners. His track “Immortal” is one of my personal go-to motivational songs, and “Redrum” from American Dream was a standout this year.
But then there’s Kendrick Lamar—a name synonymous with lyricism, depth, and dominance. Even though Kendrick’s latest tracks, like the diss-heavy “Not Like Us”, didn’t flood the radio with hits, they sparked a lot of conversation. And let’s not forget his part on “Like That”, a song that dominated this summer. Despite not being the main artist, Kendrick’s verse was a massive talking point, especially on social media.
So, why didn’t Kendrick take home the award? I get that 21 Savage has been heavily featured, including his collaboration with Drake on Her Loss. And in terms of chart visibility, 21 probably had the edge. But Kendrick’s cultural dominance, particularly with the diss tracks, felt like it should have given him the win. Maybe the answer is simple—21 Savage was just more visible in a mainstream sense, even though Kendrick was making waves with fans and critics alike.
The Role of Beefs: Why They Should Have Elevated Megan and Kendrick
Beefs and rivalries have always been part of hip-hop culture, and this year they only helped elevate Megan Thee Stallion and Kendrick Lamar. Megan’s ongoing tension with Nicki Minaj has been front and center, and whether you love it or hate it, it keeps her name in the conversation. Similarly, Kendrick’s diss tracks helped solidify his role as the intellectual giant of hip-hop, taking on the industry in ways few can.
In hip-hop, beefs don’t just create buzz—they cement legacy. They’re a testament to an artist’s willingness to engage in the competitive spirit of the genre. So with all this extra cultural energy swirling around Megan and Kendrick, it’s baffling that neither took home the award. If beefs contribute to staying relevant, then by all accounts, Megan and Kendrick should have had the upper hand.
Popularity vs. Board Decisions: What Really Matters at the BET Awards?
So, are the BET Awards more of a popularity contest than a reflection of artistic merit? Or is it about which artist is more connected with the industry powers that be? The answer might be somewhere in between. There’s no denying that Cardi B and 21 Savage are giants in hip-hop, but this year, I would argue that Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Kendrick Lamar had more momentum, both in terms of fan love and cultural relevance.
For someone like me—who’s not a die-hard fan of any particular artist but follows closely enough—it’s surprising to see Megan, Glo, and Kendrick not take home these awards. But maybe that’s just how these shows go. It’s a reminder that what resonates most with us as fans may not always line up with the decisions of award boards.
Reflection
In the end, I’m not saying Cardi B or 21 Savage shouldn’t have won. They’re both incredible artists with undeniable talent. What I’m saying is, given the cultural dominance of Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Kendrick Lamar this year—particularly with the help of their high-profile beefs and hits—it’s surprising they didn’t win. Their momentum, especially in terms of visibility and lyrical substance, made them seem like the clear frontrunners. But in the world of award shows, industry and popularity can sometimes outweigh cultural impact and merit. That’s just the game we’re in.
