When it comes to hip-hop, most artist earn their stripes in the cyphers. How one holds their own, manages their flows and issues lyrical tongue lashings to opponents can make or break a young emcee’s career.
The men and women chosen to showcase their prowess during the cyphers of the BET Hip Hop awards have risen above the crop and unleashed a fury of memorable lines, making this year’s cyphers one for the books.
Everyone from Raury to Timbaland’s protege Tink, to Redman all showed what we all love about hip-hop: the competitive spirit, and the lyrics.
Relive the cyphers below.