The controversy over the cancellation of the BET Hip Hop Awards continues to heat up. While Fat Joe recently claimed “gentrification” was behind the show’s demise, Benzino isn’t buying it.
Relaxing on Instagram Live, the former Source co-owner shared his thoughts from what appeared to be a hot tub, stating bluntly that the real reason the awards were pulled was low ratings.
Fat Joe’s Hosting Role Under Fire
Benzino also argued that Fat Joe’s stint as host contributed to the declining ratings in recent years. He questioned the rapper’s claims about gentrification, pointing out that if it were truly the reason, Fat Joe himself would have been part of the same cultural shift he blamed.
“Why Fat Joe said it’s gentrification, after they let his a** host the awards two years earlier?” Benzino said on IG Live. “The ratings were the worst ever after he hosted it. Was it gentrification when you was hosting it, Joey? Stop, man. Joe, you’re putting out too much misinformation on the internet, bro. You gotta do better, man.”
Benzino made it clear he holds Fat Joe responsible for tanking the show’s viewership, suggesting this led directly to the awards’ suspension.
Fat Joe Blames Gentrification
Fat Joe, in turn, has been vocal about what he sees as the “gentrification” of Black culture in media. On a recent episode of Joe and Jada, he spoke about the BET Hip Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards, reflecting on what their cancellation means for Black representation in entertainment.
“This is a form of gentrification, what’s going on. I don’t know if you really want to ask me about this s**t,” Fat Joe said.
The Bronx rapper traced the issue back to BET’s ownership change, from Bob Johnson to Viacom Paramount. He highlighted staff cuts and dwindling budgets for the awards show during his three-year tenure, noting:
“S**t was like the budget, not for me, but the budget just kept getting chopped and chopped and chopped.”
The Broader Debate
The clash between Benzino and Fat Joe raises larger questions about the state of Black media, cultural representation, and accountability in entertainment. While Fat Joe frames the awards’ cancellation as part of a systemic shift, Benzino pins it on ratings and creative choices, reigniting debate among fans and industry insiders.
Social media is buzzing as supporters weigh in on both sides, dissecting the impact of hosting, network decisions, and cultural preservation.
Do you agree with Benzino or Fat Joe on why the BET Hip Hop Awards ended? Drop your thoughts in the comments and follow TPR for the latest in hip-hop news.