Last night the television world was treated to an unusually large amount of excellent rap performances thanks to the BET Hip-Hop Awards. The annual show devoted to the year's best in the genre was hosted by DJ Khaled and handed awards out to the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper and a lifetime achievement award to Snoop Dogg.
But even more than usual, the evening was truly stacked with incredible performances. Take a look at our picks for the night's best:
Gucci Mane Makes a Grand Return With Young Thug and Travis Scott
Gucci has had a bona fide career Renaissance since leaving federal prison earlier this year, with his album Everybody Looking being greeted to universal acclaim. Which made last night's set, his first televised performance since his incarceration, something of a homecoming. He opened the show with lead single "First Day Out Tha Feds," and was then joined by a double-whammy tag team of Travis Scott for "Last Time" and Young Thug and Migos' Quavo for "Pick Up the Phone."
A Trio of 'XXL's 2016 Freshmen Class Turn It Way, Way Up
Three of XXL's 2016 Freshmen Class came together for a medley of epic proportions. The trio in question consisted of Isaiah Rashad, 21 Savage and Lil Uzi Vert, all of whom have released their own full-length projects this year. Each rapper chose a song from their respective projects, resulting in live versions of "Tity and Dolla," "Money Longer" and "X."
Lil Wayne and Kevin Hart (Chocolate Droppa) Go Head to Head
Just a few weeks ago, Kevin Hart released his first-ever single as his rapping alter ego Chocolate Droppa. And despite being so new to the scene, Droppa has not been shy when it comes to his rapping prowess as he goes head to head with some of the industry's legends. His rap-off with Lil Wayne turned out to be an unexpected highlight of the evening, and obviously it was hilarious.
T.I. Delivered a Moving, Political Rendition of "We Will Not"
T.I. recently dropped his most overtly political work yet with his EP Us or Else. And the Atlanta rapper continued to stress the urgent nature of his new work in his performance of lead single "We Will Not," which saw him surrounded by #BlackLivesMatter signs. Most moving of all, he closed his set by saying "they can't kill us all." It was a sobering moment for the show, but one that is more necessary than ever.
Desiigner Blasts His Way Through Monster-Single "Tiimmy Turner"
There was not an official award for most energetic performance of the night, but if there was it would have gone to Desiigner in a heartbeat. The rapper delivered one of his most ecstatic recitals of his summer hit "Tiimmy Turner" that left the audience in stitches. And he also brought out a full choir for it, because why not?
In other music news, DJ Khaled shared a video for his single "Do You Mind" after the show wrapped up, and it stars everyone from Nicki Minaj to Future to Rick Ross. Watch it right here.