The BET Awards was a spectacular night with the top names in R&B, Pop, Rap and Gospel. Known for celebrating the best in the entertainment industry and black culture, this year’s show was nothing less than impressive with Saturday Night Live funny lady, Leslie Jones, leading the way.
The night kicked off with an explosive performance by Bruno Mars and his full band. The pack crooned and glided across the stage to “Perm” adorned in matching Hooligans jerseys.
Xscape, the 90s girl group featuring Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Kandi Burress, and Tameka “Tiny” Harris, delivered some of their hits. The quartet just recently reunited, making the BET performance their first in several years. They’re set to take the stage at the Essence Fest this weekend.
The most celebrated performance of the night was the New Edition tribute for their Lifetime Achievement Award. The cast of the biopic miniseries, The New Edition Story, took the stage to tell the success of the wildly popular boy band. Upon receiving the award and announcing an upcoming tour, New Edition quickly changed into all white ensembles and hit the stage to perform some crowd favorites (“Can You Stand the Rain”, “Candy Girl” and “Mr. Telephone Man”).
Throughout the night, many other stars took the stage. French Montana, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Post Malone, Big Sean, Khalid, Jessie Reyes, Tamar Braxton, Maxwell and SZA all performed. Mary J Blige was joined by A$AP Rocky. Kendrick Lamar appeared for some bars on Future’s “Mask Off”, while Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne and Quavo all joined in on “I’m the One”.
The long-awaited and highly coveted award, Best Female Rapper, ultimately went to hard-hitting Bronx rapper, Remy Ma. Recently dethroned seven-time Best Female Rapper award winner, Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma have been in a cut-throat rap beef. Upon accepting her award, Remy Ma spit some bars from her Plata O Plomo track, “Spaghetti”. “I just wanna say, ‘Y’all bitches got fat while we starved/Shots in your ass, pads in your bras/Y’all some liars it ain’t no facts in your songs/And yeah that crown is coming back to the Bronx,”. Was she adding fuel to the fire ?
The most memorable award of the night was the presentation of the BET Humanitarian Award to Chance the Rapper, the youngest recipient to date. Among a myriad of humanitarian celebrities, former First Lady, Michelle Obama, sent a video message highlighting the 24-year-old’s work with Chicago’s children and his generosity to the Chicago Public Schools. Common and Jesse Williams also joined in on the congratulations.
Another year of black excellence, culture and history has been celebrated. Below is a full list of the winners.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Kehlani
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna
Solange
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
WINNER: Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
The Weeknd
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Group
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
A Tribe Called Quest
Fat Joe & Remy Ma
WINNER: Migos
Rae Sremmurd
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Freedom”
Chance The Rapper Feat. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne – “No Problem”
Chris Brown Feat. Gucci Mane & Usher – party
DJ Khaled Feat. Beyoncé & Jay Z – “Shining”
Migos Feat. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Feat. Gucci Mane – “Black Beatles”
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Chance The Rapper
Drake
Future
J. Cole
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Cardi B
Missy Elliott
Nicki Minaj
WINNER: Remy Ma
Young M.A
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “Sorry”
Big Sean – “Bounce Back”
Bruno Mars – “24k Magic”
Migos Feat. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad and Boujee”
Solange – “Cranes in the Sky”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom – Kehlani “Crzy”
Bruno Mars & Jonathan Lia – Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Director X – Zayn Malik “Like I Would”
Hype Williams – Tyga “Gucci Snakes Feat. Desiigner”
Kahlil Joseph & Beyoncé Knowles-Carter – Beyoncé “Sorry”
Best New Artist
21 Savage
Cardi B
WINNER: Chance the Rapper
Khalid
Young M.A
Album of the Year
24k Magic – Bruno Mars
4 Your Eyez Only – J. Cole
A Seat at the Table – Solange
Coloring Book – Chance The Rapper
Lemonade – Beyoncé
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CeCe Winans – “Never Have to Be Alone”
Fantasia Feat. Tye Tribbett –”I Made It”
Kirk Franklin Feat. Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs & Tamela Mann – “My World Needs You”
WINNER: Lecrae – “Can’t Stop Me Now (Destination)”
Tamela Mann – “God Provides”
Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Issa Rae
Janelle Monáe
Taraji P. Henson
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Bryshere Y. Gray
Denzel Washington
Donald Glover
Mahershala Ali
Omari Hardwick
Youngstars Award
Ace Hunter
Caleb McLaughlin
Jaden Smith
Marsai Martin
WINNER: Yara Shahidi
Best Movie
Fences
Get Out
Hidden Figures
Moonlight
The Birth of a Nation
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Gabby Douglas
Serena Williams
Simone Biles
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year Award
Cam Newton
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Russell Westbrook
Stephen Curry
Centric Award
Fantasia – “Sleeping With the One I Love”
Kehlani – “Distraction”
Mary J. Blige – “Thick of It”
WINNER: Solange – “Cranes in the Sky”
Syd – “All About Me”
Yuna – “Crush” Feat. Usher
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
WINNER: Beyoncé – “Sorry”
Bruno Mars – “24k Magic”
Drake – “Fake Love”
Migos Feat. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Feat. Gucci Mane – “Black Beatles”
The Weeknd Feat. Daft Punk – Starboy
Best International Act: Europe
Booba (France)
Mhd (France)
Craig David (UK)
Emeli Sandé (UK)
Giggs (UK)
Skkepta (UK)
Stormzy (UK)
Wiley (UK)
Best International Act: Africa
Aka (South Africa)
Babes Wodumo (South Africa)
Davido (Nigeria)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Tekno (Nigeria)
WizKid (Nigeria)
Mr Eazi (Nigeria)
