Hip-hop stars groove on politics

Proving Atlanta is truly the home of the BET Hip-Hop Awards, Atlanta’s own T.I. and Ludacris opened to a packed house at the Atlanta Civic Center on Saturday evening. But before long, the third annual show was shaping up to be as much of a Barack Obama rally as an awards ceremony.

Here are some highlights from the rally, um, ceremony as well as the red carpet.

> Rapper 50 Cent and actress Kerri Washington handed out the show’s first award —- The Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Award —- to Lil Wayne. Washington, a staunch Obama supporter, encouraged the audience to get out on Nov. 4 and “Barack the Vote.”

> The presidential references continued with Young Jeezy, who performed his hit “Crazy World” in front a gigantic projection of an American flag. Next to him was a very presidential lectern, also adorned with the flag.

> A dedication to women in hip-hop was filled with on-screen images of the Democratic nominee. Rapper MC Lyte did a melody of her hits wearing a fitted Obama T-shirt. Then Lyte, along with Yo-Yo, Lady of Rage, Salt N Pepa and Spinderella dedicated the hit tune “Push It” to Obama.

“In 2008, we’re pushing for change in America, and we’re pushing for Barack Obama,” said Cheryl “Salt” Wray. The entire group of lady rappers then joined in to perform “What a Man” as monitors showed photos of the Barack and Michelle Obama together on the campaign trail.

> Lil Wayne did a freestyle a cappella rap that included knocks at both John McCain and Sarah Palin. Each time he came onstage to accept an award (he also won for lyricist of the year and 2008 MVP), he encouraged people to go out and vote.

> In a surprise scheduling change, Atlanta’s T-Pain replaced comedian Katt Williams as MC. On the black carpet before the show, T-Pain said he would not need to work from a script. “You don’t need a script when you’re an original like me, baby.”

> Producers showed a sneak preview of “Notorious,” a film to be released in January, on the life of Christopher “Notorious B.I.G” Wallace. Introducing the clip, the film’s star Jamal “Gravy” Woolard called it “hip hop’s first ‘biological’ feature,” which prompted laughs and snickers from the audience. Producers then let Woolard retake the segment so that he could say “biographical” instead.

JUST A TASTE

Of 15 awards, BET handed out only five Saturday. The others will be announced when the show airs at 8 p.m. Thursday on BET. The five awarded Saturday:

> Best Hip Hop Collabo: DJ Khaled for “I’m So Hood,” a remix featuring Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross.

> Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Award: Lil Wayne

> Lyricist of the Year: Lil Wayne

> MVP of the Year: Lil Wayne

> MySpace Music Rookie of the Year: Atlanta’s Shawty Lo