Pyrotek Special Effects at 2011 Hip Hop Awards

The 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards took place October 1 in Atlanta, Georgia. Pyrotek Special Effects once again provided a selection of special effects to add to the show. Lorenzo Cornacchia, the company's president and designer, worked closely with show producer Jesse Collins and production designer Brian Stonestreet to create this year's looks.

Pyrotek incorporated four dragon tail units and fireballs to ignite the performance of Young Jeezy's "F.A.M.E". The rapper was framed by 7' flames while he stood on a platform above the audience. He was then joined by T.I. for "I'm Flexin'." Wiz Khalifa accented his performance of "Taylor Gang" with 27 green flame projectors as he strutted across the stage surrounded by a wall of diamond shaped lights.

The performance of the recently deceased rapper Heavy D took viewers down memory lane with a medley of his greatest hits including "Nuttin' But Love." He kicked off the set with a chase sequence of 29 silver gerbs, and also included red glitter and crackle mines.

Low-lying fog and double headed dragons were part of the performance by Maybach Music Group. The audience was on their feet as Rick Ross, Wale, and Meek Mill performed "That Way" and "I'm a Boss." Concussions were used to invigorate the performance and energize those in attendance as they went off with a bang to express specific cues in the music.

Pyrotechnicians Kevin Hughes, Gregg Pearson and James Lindsay were on hand to handle and implement the show's intricate cues.