Snoop Dogg signed to host BET Hip Hop Awards

Snoop Dogg has signed on to host the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards.

The Gin & Juice hitmaker will make his debut as the ceremony's host when he fronts the show at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in Georgia on 28 September (13).

Announcing the news, Snoop says, "I'm excited to be hosting this year's BET Hip Hop Awards 2013. We're going to have fun this year and I will make it a show to remember, ya dig?! I'll be giving a ton of surprises... and bringing all my nieces and nephews to the stage for an exciting night of hip hop."

Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 14 nods, including Best Hip Hop Video (for Problems and Don't Kill My Vibe), Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year and MVP of the Year, a category in which he'll compete with 2 Chainz, J. Cole, Drake and Jay Z.

Multiple nominees also include Drake, 2 Chainz, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Jay Z and Kanye West.

The coveted Album of the Year award will be a battle between J. Cole (Born Sinner), Jay Z (Magna Carta... Holy Grail), Kendrick Lamar (good kid, m.A.A.d city), Nas (Life Is Good), and Wale (The Gifted), while Diddy, Jay Z, Lamar, T.I. and Kanye West are up for Hustler of the Year.