Ahead of the BET Awards, a look back at how the network helped hip-hop grow and thrive

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Rap City.” “106 & Park.” And even, “Uncut.” From innovative to provocative, BET has played a crucial role in creating several influential programs that helped spread hip-hop to millions of homes across the globe. Other than its rival show “Yo! MTV Raps,” the network known as Black Entertainment Television took up the mantle — despite some reluctance — to showcase a misunderstood rap culture decades before it became music’s most popular genre. For many, BET became a safe place for those within hip-hop to express their artistry, though not without criticism.But through it all, the network has been a mainstay for established and emerging rap artists and a cultural force.