Lil Wayne has been declared lyricist of the year by BET Hip- Hop Awards. Russell Simmons was declared as the Hip-hop Icon.

The rapper who belongs to New Orleans was nominated for 12 awards. He has also been honored with the title of MVP of the Year and the Alltel Wireless People's Champ at the ceremony hosted by T-Pain.

Lil told the crowd that he's expecting a bundle of joy any day now. "I got a son dropping any day. Pray for me," he said.

Throughout the show the rapper was jumping on stage with DJ Khaled and friends to help the Miami radio personality accept an award for Best Hip-Hop Collaboration for "I'm So Hood (The Remix)"; joined Common, T-Pain and Busta Rhymes during N.E.R.D.'s "Spazz" performance; and performed T-Pain and Ludacris with "Can't Believe It" and "Chopped & Screwed."

Another highlight of the show was the presentation of the e "I Am Hip-Hop" Icon award to Russell Simons. The award is given for notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip-hop community.