BlocBoy JB's 'Simi' Wins Best Mixtape at BET Hip Hop Awards

The mixtape has been vital to hip-hop since the earliest days. There is nothing quite like a 'tape, where the rapper has the freedom to do whatever they want, without having to worry about catching a mainstream hit. At the 2018 BET Hip-Hop Awards, BlocBoy JB's Simi, Future's BeastMode 2, Juicy J's Shut Da F*ck Up, Lil Wayne's Dedication 6: Reloaded and Zoey Dollaz's Sorry Not Sorry were all up for Best Mixtape. BlocBoy JB, a 2018 XXL Freshmen, walked away with the award, which was given out off-air.

Simi was a highly anticipated project from BlocBoy JB, who was just coming into national popularity at the time. Everyone knows about "Look Alive," his runaway hit with Drake, along with "Rover" (which got the remix treatment with 21 Savage) and "Shoot," but the streets needed more. BlocBoy fed them with 18 tracks, sure to satisfy his fanbase.

The mixtape featured Lil Pump, YG and Moneybagg Yo, in addition to the aforementioned Drake and 21 Savage. On the production side, there's a flurry of beats from BlocBoy's close friend Tay Keith, in addition to work from ChaseTheMoney, Ben Billions and more.

The other mixtapes that didn't win were just as worthy of the honor. Lil Wayne's Dedication 6: Reloaded was a good appetizer before he returned to form with Tha Carter V, Juicy J's Shut Da F*ck Up was another showing of his consistency, Future's Beast Mode 2 set the internet aflame and Zoey Dollaz's Sorry Not Sorry garnered him more of the attention he deserves. Congrats to all of the nominees.

See Photos of Gucci Mane, Gunna, Asian Doll and More on 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet