So far, Lil Wayne [ tickets ] is the big winner at this year's BET Hip-Hop Awards [ tickets ], which were taped Saturday (10/18) in Atlanta.

The New Orleans rapper was nominated for 12 trophies and walked away with Lyricist of the Year, MVP of Year and the Alltel Wireless People's Champ award. That was three of only five awards handed out at the ceremony; the remaining 10 will be announced when the show airs on the BET cable network this Thursday (10/23).

The weekend soiree also honored Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo, who was named MySpace Music Rookie of the Year, and DJ Khaled, who won Best Hip-Hop Collaboration for the "I'm So Hood" remix featuring Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross.

Also, LL Cool J presented Russell Simmons with the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Award for his contributions to the hip-hop community.

Surprise guest host T-Pain took over MC duties when scheduled host Katt Williams had to bow out. The packed event at Atlanta's Civic Center opened with a number from hometown hero T.I., and included performances by Lil Wayne, Nas, Ludacris, Nelly, Common, Young Jeazy, N.E.R.D., Bow Wow, Ne-Yo and many others.

One of the highlights reportedly was the ladies of hip-hop medley featuring MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, The Lady of Rage, Salt-n-Pepa and Spinderella. Ice Cube also made a surprise appearance.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the show turned out to be as much of a Barack Obama rally as it was an awards ceremony. Lil Wayne encouraged the audience to get out Nov. 4 and "Barack the Vote," and the ladies of hip-hop performed "What a Man" as monitors showed photos of Obama and his wife, Michelle, on the campaign trail.

Also during the event, BET unveiled an exclusive trailer for the upcoming Fox Searchlight film "Notorious," which is about the life of late rapper Notorious B.I.G.