Swizz Beatz & Timbaland to Receive Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award at 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards

With the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards slated to air next Tuesday (Oct. 10), a bevy of legends are slated to be honored that night, including VERZUZ co-founders Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, Marley Marl and Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.

Super producers Swizz and Timbo will be on hand to receive the Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award from the founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J. The award will honor the pair for their cultural hip-hop contributions and boundless creativity.

LL will be working double duty, as he and Rakim will team up for a tribute performance honoring this year’s I Am Hip Hop Award recipient, Marley Marl. Marl’s inventive mindset dates back to his iconic production with the Juice Crew and his influence on some of the genre’s best producers, including the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, DJ Premier and Pete Rock.

Lastly, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, will posthumously receive the “Global Visionary Award” for his global impact on the hip-hop landscape. The 35-year-old South African rapper was shot and killed earlier this year. His parents, Tony and Lynn Forbes, will accept the award on his behalf.

Fans can also expect performances from Offset, DaBaby, Fivio Foreign, GloRilla, Sexxy Red and more. Members of the legendary label So So Def — including Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Da Brat, and Dem Franchise Boyz — will also perform in in a celebration of the label’s 30th anniversary.

Slated to take place live in Atlanta, the 18th annual awards show will premiere on Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET. Fat Joe will host the ceremony for the second consecutive year.