NobleMag

The third time is a charm for BET asactor/comedian Katt Williams returns to host the third annual BET HIP HOPAWARDS. Taping on Saturday, October 18 at the Boisfeuillet Jones AtlantaCivic Center in Atlanta, this exciting primetime special will pay homage tourban music and culture, and will premiere on the network on Thursday,October 23 at 8:00 p.m.* Performers, nominees and show talent will beannounced later this month.

Known for his signature permed hair and over-the-top style, actor/comedianWilliams has become a true comedic force in entertainment, and appeared onpopular BET shows like COMIC VIEW, THE BLACK CARPET and 106 & PARK, as wellas at events such as RIP THE RUNWAY, the BET AWARDS and THE COMEDY AWARDS. Hehas received an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and continues toreceive stamps of approvals from the urban and mainstream community alike forhis brilliance and ingenuity on screen and on stage, including being named"hottest new comedian" in Rolling Stone magazine, as well as praise fromAfrican American comedic icons such as Steve Harvey, who says, "He's one ofthe hottest comedians in the country." Williams recently completed his100-city national tour, and will release his It's Pimpin Pimpin DVD onTuesday, November 11.This year's BET HIP HOP AWARDS returns with its Hot 16 challenge, apartnership with BET.com, uber-producer Jermaine Dupri and MySpace in whichusers will enter an online rap battle for a chance to win a VIP trip for four(4) to the 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS and an in-studio session with Dupri. Onlineviewers have until Monday, September 15 to vote for their favorite entries andhelp determine the five (5) finalists. The finalists' videos will then beposted on BET.com on Wednesday, September 17 for users to vote for theirfavorite before Wednesday, September 24, with Jermaine Dupri determining thegrand prize winner.Last year's BET HIP HOP AWARDS drew an impressive 2.5 rating, whichtranslated into 3.3 million viewers and was the #1 hip hop themed telecast onTV for the second consecutive year, according to Nielsen Media Research.This year, BET once again teams up with Cossette Productions, the famedproducers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the seven record-setting BET AWARDSshows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen G. Hill, BET ExecutiveVice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BETVice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.

katt Williams