In spite of the inevitable drama, the annual BET Awards are always a great provider of performances, tributes and of course the all-important ciphers. Kendrick Lamar dominated this year's awards ceremony, performing a medley of his songs "The Recipe" and "Swimming Pools (Drank)" as well as joining a line-up of legends on the West Coast cipher, including DJ Quik, Xzibit, Kurupt, E-40 and Snoop Dogg/Lion (Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Ab Soul and okayafrican Sarkodie made for another must-watch cipher). Other highlights included long-overdue "I Am Hip-Hop" honors for God MC (and Roots Picnic headliner!) Rakim and an in memoriam medley for professional game-changer Chris Lighty featuring performances from a reunited A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Missy Elliot and 50 Cent . Watch a selection of our favorite moments below and after the jump.
