The MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip Hop was first given out at the
1999 MTV Video Music Awards. The award, according to
MTV, was originally intended for hip hop-inspired songs, not necessarily actual hip hop music videos (which were instead honored by Best Rap Video). This explains the recognition of non-hip hop songs such as "
Thong Song" and "
I'm Real (Remix)".
The award was not given out in 2007, as the VMAs were revamped and most original categories were eliminated, however, Best Hip Hop Video was reinstated in 2008. By then, though, the rules had relatively changed, as R&B and rap videos also became eligible for nominations in this category since the awards for Best Rap Video and Best R&B Video were not brought back.
Drake owns the most nominations, with a total of thirteen.
Nicki Minaj has the most wins in this category, with a total of five moonmen.
Recipients
Inaugural winners
Beastie Boys.Jennifer Lopez was the first female act to win the category with "
I'm Real (Remix)" with
Ja Rule in
2002.Missy Elliott was the first solo act and the first female rapper to win the category with "
Work It" in
2003.Nicki Minaj is the most awarded artist of the category with five awards.Drake is the most nominated act with thirteen. He is also the second most awarded artist with three awards.Eminem was the first solo male rapper to win the cateogory in
2009 with "
We Made You".Lil Wayne received seven nominations in his career, winning two-time.Kanye West received ten nominations in the category, without win.